Dextron? in my kubota

[dusty-t]

Hey Guys. Isee the forum is growing quickly. Thats great. Anyway this b8200 that I bought about two months ago has dextron instead of hydraulic fluid. The hydro drive seems really strong and the loader and 3ph works well. So I guess what I'm asking is am I in trouble or is it if it ain't broke don't fix it. Any comments or help will be appreciated. Thank You.(jim)

[NEIL G]

Just reading your question.interesting but i am more interested in your place of origin as i too am from mount forest,ont. Thats what they say--what a small world--.if you are new to this site keep coming back,it is terrific.you get quick repliesand good old fashioned advice.free. Cant find that in too many places anymore. Neil(seven bridges road)know where that is??:

[dusty-t]

Yes Neil I do know where Seven Bridges rd is. And yes I think it's great to have someone local on the forum. I'm on main across from beer store.We'll have to get together some time.

[Service Dept Vic]

Yep. That'll work just fine!

Dextron is approved for use in Hydrostatic Drive transmissions and for use in gear and vane drive hydraulic systems. It's clean, an excellent lubricant and ideal for use in colder wintery climates as it flows well, doesn't foam and is an excellent detergent.

Leave it in there!

[Mr. K]

Hey dusty and neil, sounds like you are both from a smaller town, funny how you've met up online before running into each other at the post office.

Thanks for the compliments on the site gents, it's hard work but someone (Vic)'s gotta do it!

[dusty-t]

Thanks for the replies Guys.I wondered about the dextron, I used to use it in big portable compressors years ago because it handles the heat better. And I wouldn't say that neil and I don't know each other we just don't know it yet. When you own orange you watch for Orange. And I only know of One orange on seven bridges. If some people in the area don't know me they do know my truck. It's on the road around here a lot. Thanks again Vic and Mr K.

[Krump]

Hi Folks,

I am new to this forum, and new to the tractor ownership, and i just recently bought a preowned L3000 4x4 Kubota, 200 hrs on it. I dont want to screw up anything on the machine.

I have the manuals on order now, so i am wondering when your talking about this transmission fluid, this Dextron, is the the same trans fluid as a auto?? I know this may be really dumb, but we all start from somewhere!!! Help me guys??

[Michael]

What dextron is automatic transmission fluid also known as ATF, it is used in the in older automobiles, most autos today use synthetic fluid today and less of the older ATF or dextron. If you have a older Kubota hydrostatic tractor you can use it in it. a standard transmission tractor stick what Kubota recommends.

[Mr. K]

Hey Krump, welcome to the site and thank you for posting! You've come to the right place if you are looking for advice. Michael is right - it's just automatic transmission fluid. General Motors actually owns the name Dextron and either lets other manufacturers license that name for their own ATF product (like Petro-Canada for instance).

General Motors has used it a lot in their vehicles and they are currently on their "VI" iteration of the fluid (probably 50% actual improvement and 50% marketing mumbojumbo). :D

Priced around $15-20/gallon.

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33&stc=1&d=1237053388

[dusty-t]

Michael is right atf is not for a manual trani or any other (gear)box.You have to be carefull when swapping different fluids for the original.The dealers get pretty uppity about using only their brand. And u can void your warranty on a new or nearly new machine. Bottom line get advice from people with experience when doing this stuff. Some of the older Kubotas had overheating problems with their hydrostats.Dextron runs cooler and handles the heat better. But in a newer machine I don't think there is any problems with heat other than owner abuse, not cleaning or just beating the snot out of it.

[Service Dept Vic]

I want to clarify my previous answer a little, concerning Dex in your Kubota.

It can be used in Hydrostatic Transmissions and "gear or vane" operated hydraulic systems.

Dex must NOT be used in a GEAR DRIVE tractor that "shares" a common reservoir for the hydraulics and transmission, as Kubota tractors do.

Dex CAN be used in a Hydraulic circuit that has a resivoir "independent" of the gear drive transmission.

An example would be a log splitter, powered off a PTO driven hydraulic pump with independant resivoir. Dex would be OK to use in this circuit.

[dusty-t]

Yeh we used to use it in some of the old vane and screw compressors. Again thanks Vic. I love this forum. If my wife Dies I may want to marry this forum!!

[Krump]

Thanks guys,

it appears i need the UDT super, but can anything else be used say Esso or others, if i drain it all out?? yes its for my trans and hydraulics, so i guess its in the one place, Do i fill it in the back the the pto, or between the feet on the floorboards???. Warranty if off, but i dont want to damage it by using other brands. Its the dealer is over 200 km one way, just trying to cheap out and save the trip, advise.

[Service Dept Vic]

You can use ANY brand of hydraulic oil specified for use in tractors that utilize a common resivoir for both the transmission and the hydraulic system.

You can use oil from John Deere, New Holland, Massey, UFA, Wal-Mart, Esso, Chevron, Petro-Canada, Shell, Texaco, Mobil, Co-Op, Kubota. Same same.

Fill from the easiest location to jamb your funnel in!

In this shop, we use Wal-Mart TDH Oil. They're never out of stock, it's always on sale, and we go through it by the tanker full.

[Krump]

Good Morning

Thanks for the reply, i got er all straight now, with my oil needs. This forum is great for me and everyone, i am getting addicted reading about all the interesting info.

Hey Vic, the weather is warming to to plus 2 here in my area, i better get out and get her greased up.

[B7510]

Gee guys this is my first post and I don't want to sound picky but.....

Drop the "T" in Dex"T"ron and add UDT.

Hope you see the humour!!!!!:)

[mattbatson]

sorry to dig up an old thread, but i was searching the forum for the answer before starting a new thread...

i live in both florida and nc, so NOT a cold environment

is dextron still ok to run?

I'm paying about 5 bucks per quart of UDT at the dealer and was seeing if there were less expensive options

thx

[mattbatson]

sorry to dig up an old thread, but i was searching the forum for the answer before starting a new thread...

i live in both florida and nc, so NOT a cold environment

I run a b1750 HST with loader

is dextron still ok to run?

I'm paying about 5 bucks per quart of UDT at the dealer and was seeing if there were less expensive options

thx

[kuboman]

ATF is not recommended in a lot of JD (sundstrand) hydrostatic trannys. I would use the proper multi purpose hydraulic oil. ATF is really designed to be used it transmissions with clutch packs as it has additives to give good lubrication but still allow clutches to operate. It also is better for high temp situations.

[mattbatson]

ATF is not recommended in a lot of JD (sundstrand) hydrostatic trannys. I would use the proper multi purpose hydraulic oil. ATF is really designed to be used it transmissions with clutch packs as it has additives to give good lubrication but still allow clutches to operate. It also is better for high temp situations.

I'm an idiot...i never clicked in page 2 of this thread before posting....

I think vic is saying that an hst with fel is fine for dextron?

and hot temps are what this tractor will be seeing

[kuboman]

I'm an idiot...i never clicked in page 2 of this thread before posting....

I think vic is saying that an hst with fel is fine for dextron?

and hot temps are what this tractor will be seeing

I think he is saying to not use dextron in a tractor with a common sump as your Kubota has.
I would use a high quality UDT.

[mattbatson]

I think he is saying to not use dextron in a tractor with a common sump as your Kubota has.
I would use a high quality UDT.


even for a hst tranny?
I can understand with a gear tranny, as they usually take a gear oil like 80-90weight...diff oil.

but, isnt a hst tranny similar to an auto car tranny in that dextron is okay?

[kuboman]

even for a hst tranny?
I can understand with a gear tranny, as they usually take a gear oil like 80-90weight...diff oil.

but, isnt a hst tranny similar to an auto car tranny in that dextron is okay?

You still have gears in the differential and I am not too sure that ATF is recommended for that. It will likely run a long time with ATF but why not use the proper fluid?

[aquaforce]

even for a hst tranny?
I can understand with a gear tranny, as they usually take a gear oil like 80-90weight...diff oil.





My L175 is a gear trans but it still uses UDT as prescribed by Kubota. The 80-90 weight applications are getting few because tighter clearances can be used with UDT and still retain all the friction protection for a gear face.
I don't know a Kubota application that uses 80-90 but many gear cases and differentials do.

[mattbatson]

thx for the responses guys, and I dont mean to drag this out and beat it like a dead horse

the UDT at the kubota dealer is 5 bucks a quart, and it takes 14 quarts to change the tranny/hyd on my machine.

that oil change aint cheap.

so, if there is a cheaper alternative that will work just as well...or better in hot temps...than I am all ears.

but, if there is too much risk, than I'll just pay for the good stuff

[eserv]

Any good brand name atf will be over 3 bucks a quart, the difference is less than 30 dollars! Is it worth it to take the chance?
Ed

[aquaforce]

the UDT at the kubota dealer is 5 bucks a quart, and it takes 14 quarts to change the tranny/hyd on my machine.

that oil change aint cheap.

so, if there is a cheaper alternative that will work just as well...or better in hot temps...than I am all ears.

but, if there is too much risk, than I'll just pay for the good stuff



I did a total UDT flush on my tractor and it was expensive. :eek::( I didn't like the price but as a tech I understand differences in fluid engineering.

The Dex that GM makes works in both a hyd trans application and a gear/chain application such as a "new process" transfer case. This is much like a gear or hyd application of a tractor. If we have a field situation, operator busts a hose etc, then we put Dex in to keep the machine in operation. When it gets repaired later the UDT goes back in the tractor.

THE DIFFERENCE


Well............. there is some slight differences in the additives that the makers use. Tractor UDT is designed for the specific application and enviornment of a tractor and the DEX for GM builds. Mechanically they are not drastically different but I still have not seen a good thermal dissipation comparison of the two. Transmission fluid in general does not dissipate heat as well as engine oil or Antifreeze. The UDT has many similar properties of engine oil which makes me wonder if it dissipates heat better than DEX or not? Since I don't know yet I just went with Kubota UDT.

[mattbatson]

okay, I'll stick with the UDT

thx guys!:D

[Bulldog]

the UDT at the kubota dealer is 5 bucks a quart, and it takes 14 quarts to change the tranny/hyd on my machine.

better in hot temps.

there is too much risk, I'll just pay for the good stuff

You think that $5 is hard on the wallet. The synthetic oil I use is $10 a qt and my 2 orange babies take 30 gallons to change.

Yes, it works much better in hot temps as well as in the cold.

Since it would cost $60k + to replace them I think not using quality lubricants is to much to risk and that's why I choose to run the best. Even if the fluid is changed at the standard service intervals the oil would last 400hrs in one and 600 hrs in the other. Unless the tractors are being used for serveral hrs every day it will take yrs to build enough hrs to get to the next change interval. Trying to save a few pennies now could cost thousands in the long run.

A well maintained Kubota will last a life time and most likely still be around for our kids to use. I don't just look at the service cost now. The shape it will be in 30 yrs down the road is the reason for doing PM in the first place.

[skeets]

Yes Neil I do know where Seven Bridges rd is. And yes I think it's great to have someone local on the forum. I'm on main across from beer store.We'll have to get together some time.

The BEER STORE??? Ya never told me you was across from a beer store,,Krist now I have to figuer out where Mountforest Ontario is and find the beer store, an then see if dusty's home if not I ll go back to the beer store and wait,,,lol

[WayneJessie]

You think that $5 is hard on the wallet. The synthetic oil I use is $10 a qt and my 2 orange babies take 30 gallons to change.

Yes, it works much better in hot temps as well as in the cold.

Since it would cost $60k + to replace them I think not using quality lubricants is to much to risk and that's why I choose to run the best. Even if the fluid is changed at the standard service intervals the oil would last 400hrs in one and 600 hrs in the other. Unless the tractors are being used for serveral hrs every day it will take yrs to build enough hrs to get to the next change interval. Trying to save a few pennies now could cost thousands in the long run.

A well maintained Kubota will last a life time and most likely still be around for our kids to use. I don't just look at the service cost now. The shape it will be in 30 yrs down the road is the reason for doing PM in the first place.

Some folks treat equipment like they do their cars. They trade every few years regardless. I'd say a person of that type would be best served trying to cheap-out of the cost of PM. Me, I keep my stuff until the wheels fall off(then I stick them back on) so I use the very best fluids/filters I can get and change them per fluid analysis. I've been an import auto tech for 25yrs and it's very easy to see the difference in a 15yr old engine that has had the best money can buy and those that were marginally maintained. I just sold my 1981 Yoda truck and it had 640,000 on the original engine & trans. Only the best went in it and it showed.

[Bulldog]

I'm just glad that at least one other person understands my opinion.

I agree about the trade in. If I didn't plan to keep my equipment but a few years I would go cheap on my service also. I don't even want to think about buying new tractors the way the prices keep going up.

I think Kubota has the best tractors on the market. That's why I bought what I did and I expect them to outlast me. I don't mind doing my part to help make that happen.