You won't believe this

Topanga · Nov 22, 2009

So my M7040 is at 52 hours--time for a scheduled maintenance per factory. I buy the Service Manual for $90 and decide that it's easier than I thought. While the Kubota dealer is loading my 15 gallons of Super HYD hydraulic oil, 2.5 gallons of 80W-90 gear oil, 3 gallons of 15W-40 engine oil, and 3 fliters (all to the tune of $548!!), I'm chatting up the shop guy and the girl on the sales register.

"How much is your charge for the 50 hour service if I had brought in my M7040?" "Usually around $150-$200".

So I just had to follow up with the next question--and learned that they don't change oil--either engine or hydraulic--"unless the customer really wants us to".

The Service Manual says "change", not "check"!!

It's the last time I'll be in that door.

Couple of Achers · Nov 22, 2009

I'll believe it. When I had the 50 hr service done on my L4330, when I was setting up the appointment, I started listed everything that I wanted done. They asked me are you sure you want to change the hyd oil. Most of the time we just change the filters because most of our customers don't want to spend the money on all that new hyd. oil. I thought that was strange so I started asking other owners I knew around the area that did their own 50 hr. service. They to confirmed that they did not change the hyd. oil, just the filters and then topped it off.

gwdixon · Nov 22, 2009

Oops. You forgot to do the front axle differential and gear case. Back to the dealer for you!

(Oops on me. Missed the gear oil in your post on the first read.)

BTW. I did it all too and will do a complete oil change out each time the manual calls for the filters. No reason to be cheap on a $30K tractor. The environmentalists should be here any minute to dispute the necessity.

bill in ny · Nov 22, 2009

the gear oil is for the front end.

mstordahl · Nov 23, 2009

This is all to typical of some dealers now. At our dealership, EVERYTHING gets changed on the machine at the initial 50 hours, other than coolant. There is no good reason in my mind to not do it. The whole point is to get all of the factory oil and break in metals and contaminents out of the systems. Kubota has just changed all of their service intervals now to as they say compete with the competitions service costs. This includes most all models not needing a 50 hour service anymore, which is plain stupidity in my book. To each their own, but daily I first hand see just how much there is to benefit from a machine that is maintained properly as the priority, not the wallet or how much it costs making the decision.

PS, those of you in colder winter use should be using the kubota premium udt for the front axle and hubs as the gear oil is too thick and will lead to much quicker wear. Kubota allows the use of either, and I have seen less problems with front ends filled with udt than ones filled with gear oil.

Matt

Toolguy · Nov 23, 2009

IMO changing the engine oil is a no brainer. As for the SUDT, I had thought about just changing the filters, but went ahead and changed it as well. When you look at the color of the oil that comes out compared to the new oil it is obvious why it needs to be changed. I changed the SUDT again at 300 hrs and it was the same thing. The oil is expensive, but so is the machine. I plan on having it a long time so I am going to take care of it. The other thing I noticed after I changed the SUDT was less whine from the HST. Something in the oil has to make a difference. The consequences of not changing the oil may not surface for many years so if you plan on selling the machine in a few years you will save some money at the expense of the next owner. That is why I bought new instead of used. BTW I have a B3030. Not the same as a M7040, but still a Kubota. Good luck.

rlsmith · Nov 23, 2009

On my 5yr old BX23 I have changed transmission oil and filter each time it is required and one other tip I have now is first pull the metal stainer and let it drain there first to get rid of most of the metal that is sitting there and then pull the main drain plug and remove the filter. Also my dealer told me because I had put on over 50 hours in less then a month they said it defiantly best to change it out, but of course that was part of deal when I signed on and tried it out.
FYI I was really surprised the amount of metal there was when I did it the first time change on the new transmission after I had blown the first one. It is really well worth the time and money to do it especially when it comes to warranty work.

justcountry · Dec 1, 2009

Gentlemen gentlemen, don't stress over it. I've had my 3130 for 6 yrs now and I do all services and repairs myself. I go right by the oem specs for fluid changes, not just checks. I don't know what kind of dealer you have that doesn't change fluids, but stay away from them. I shop around for my fluids, but Mostly I get the Super UDT at Walmart or Tractor supply for about 40 bucks for 5 gal. Napa also carries it but is more proud of it. You can find it under "Universal Hydraulic Fluid". Just make sure it has the equivalents of Super UDT. If you follow the service intervals, you should have a long life out of your tractor.

bobcatofduluth · Dec 2, 2009

Always best to read and follow your manual and perform the manufacturer's recommended service procedures, whether you bring it to a well trained dealer service department or D.I.Y.

The reason for changing the Super UDT fluid is to get the metal filings and shavings (from the manufacturing process) out of the system. Again, cheap insurance when compared with the cost of a new hydro.

jimainiac · Dec 3, 2009

justcountry said:
Gentlemen gentlemen, don't stress over it. I've had my 3130 for 6 yrs now and I do all services and repairs myself. I go right by the oem specs for fluid changes, not just checks. I don't know what kind of dealer you have that doesn't change fluids, but stay away from them. I shop around for my fluids, but Mostly I get the Super UDT at Walmart or Tractor supply for about 40 bucks for 5 gal. Napa also carries it but is more proud of it. You can find it under "Universal Hydraulic Fluid". Just make sure it has the equivalents of Super UDT. If you follow the service intervals, you should have a long life out of your tractor.

Super UDT at Walmart, TSC, and NAPA? That's news to me! I thought you could only get it from Kubota. Has anyone else found this to be the case?