Who follows manufacturer's oil change recommendations

[ozzie tractor]

i service my M125x as per the book, because if i let the hydraulic filter change go over by much, the filter condition warning light comes on. kubota seem to know exactly how much material comes out of the trans, and have set the intervals to suit. surpised me when it happened

 

[jinman]

I took a look at the owners manual again. Both engine oil, and both tranny filter and engine filters are done at 300 hours. The tranny fluid is done at 2 years or 1200 hours. So, do I change the tranny filter prior to 300 hours?? Do I change the tranny filter before 2 years or 1200 hours?
Bob

That is really surprising, Bob. 300 hours on a tractor is like changing oil on a vehicle at 15,000 miles (50 mph average). That just seems excessive. How many quarts of oil does a TN hold?

I change fluids at recommended intervals except for front axle and power steering. I'll look at doing those at 1200 hours. I'll be at that within a couple of weeks.

 

[Doc_Bob]

That is really surprising, Bob. 300 hours on a tractor is like changing oil on a vehicle at 15,000 miles (50 mph average). That just seems excessive. How many quarts of oil does a TN hold?

I change fluids at recommended intervals except for front axle and power steering. I'll look at doing those at 1200 hours. I'll be at that within a couple of weeks.

2 gallons for engine oil.

I changed every fluid and filter when I got my used tractor at 168 hours and it was 3 years old. The tractor lived in Dallas/Ft. Worth for the first 168 hours and 3 years. I still need to change my brake fluid. I think my power steering fluid is part of the tranny fluid, but I will have to check.
Bob

 

[lawn_king]

I change my oil & fuel filter every 50 hours, hydro services on kubotas recomendations. Keep in mind my tractor earns 60% of my living, so i have to stay up on my service!

 

[PineRidge]

I must be a dang sissy as I follow New Holland's recommendations.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I just looked at my NH 1720 owners manual. It specifies oil change intervals at 100 hours BUT filter changes at 200 hours. I never change the engine oil without the filter being changed also. They state the same interval for the fuel filter. It's just easier all around for me to change the oil AND filters at 100 hours intervals. I'm stupid. I like to keep things simple.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I must be a dang sissy as I follow New Holland's recommendations.

Okay, you are a sissy
Bob

 

[Solo]

I change oil and filters yearly no matter what the hours.

Solo

 

[Doc_Bob]

That is really surprising, Bob. 300 hours on a tractor is like changing oil on a vehicle at 15,000 miles (50 mph average).

So is this like one dog year is equal to seven human years?
Bob

 

[jinman]

So is this like one dog year is equal to seven human years?
Bob

Absolutely! Just like everyone knows that if a dog travels with a human in a pickup for 100,000 miles, it's the same as 700,000 dog miles.

 

[Henro]

I do fluid changes at the manufacturer's recommended frequencies, or sooner.

Why would one not follow these recommendations? At least without doing oil analysis?

Who would know better when making recommendations than those who designed and built the tractor?

The answer to the question is a no-brainer for me, but as I have never claimed to have a brain anyway, I guess following manufacturer's recommendations makes more sense than I realize...

 

[sandman2234]

A lot of people ignore the manufacturer's recommendations, especially on automobiles. They go with what the dealer suggests, instead of what the manufacturer's suggest.
Worse than that, are the people that go with the "Quick Change type of people" that are making money from your oil change frequency. Why would anyone change the oil in a car every 3k miles, when the manufacturer says do it every 7500 (check your owner's manual)?
My wife used to change the oil every 3K and if they suggested an air/pcv valve, or anything else, she would go along with them. I cleaned out her glovebox and started showing how often they were charging her for certain items, that required the frequency of a lot less. Bless her heart, she doesn't think that people would actually take advantage of her!
As far as my tractor, I check the oil before each day's use, and watch to see what condition it is in. As soon as it starts showing some dirt, I either change the filter and drop another quart in it if I am pushed for time, or I go ahead and change all the filters, and the oil at the same time. I try to change all of them at once, so I don't have to keep track of what needs changing when...
I realize changing the oil too frequently isn't what you had in mind, and a lot of people will argue that it is good for the tractor, but why throw good money down the drain, and waste our natural resources, and feed the people that are using oil money to fight us? With double or triple costs in oil changes over the life of the tractor, you might come close to buying a new tractor, if the money were properly invested.
David from jax

 

[ozzie tractor]

on another line of thought. i have known a few people now (usually with larger machinery) who swear by the system of working out the engine oil change interval by monitoring the oil consumption. they would check the oil every morning and if the engine suddenly started to use oil, they would change it. the machines in question where about 6 or so D6D or C CAT dozers and a few cane harvesters with either CAT or Cummins engines. it seemed to work for them. i have never been game to do it to my M125X though. i dont know if the kubota would start using oil, even if the oil was worn out.