50 hour service

RalphVa

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Jan 19, 2020
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Apparently the 50 hour service on at least the B2301/2601 and LX2601/SU want you to change both the hydraulic and HST filters at 50 but not the hydraulic fluid. Probably same on all Kubotas. At least you don't have to muck with suctions screen checks and all like JD says to do. I've never ever found anything on the screens; don't know why JD still recommend it.

Think it's the HST filter where one loses a lot of fluid if not quick enough in getting the old filter off and new one on. Doubtful it works well. Saw it on a Kioti. Didn't.

Thought about using the Shop Vac trick but the thought occurred to me "why not just extract the fluid and then pump it back in".

Any one done this?

I've both a Northern Tool "Ironton" 12v pump extractor and a DR oil extractor. The pump is faster, but its limp suction line can't be directed like the one on the DR can. Just pump into an empty diesel container and then pour or pump it back in when filters are changed. Wouldn't have to get absolutely the last drop out.

The dual pans on the engines will be a challenge. I'll probably just suck out what the extractor gets and open the drain plugs to find out which one it missed; might try sucking out oil inlet, too, to see if I get both pans. Did this on my first tractor and found NO oil came out. It didn't have the dual pans though. I absolutely do not like opening drains, with potential gasket replacements, etc. Use the oil extractors on everything now.
 
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AdmiralS

New member

Equipment
ToolCat UW53 (On Order), LX3310HSDC
Dec 7, 2021
13
11
3
Hudson Valley, New York
Just did the service on our LX3310. Figured for the extra cost of a few gallons of SUDT2, why not just change the fluid when I changed the filters. Happy I did as there were some trace amounts of metals from wearing in of the gears.

Cheap insurance in my opinion and doesn't really add any more work to the job.
 
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Jchonline

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Lifetime Member

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Kubota L6060, KX040-4, M7060, RTV X1100C, M62 (sold)
Oct 28, 2018
1,386
596
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Red Feather Lakes, CO
It wont drain it all…you have so little volume I would just take your time, remove each and replace. Don’t worry about loosing fluid. Replace what you drain..it cant hurt.

I did try to seal off the fill cap/breather on mine with a nail but it didn’t help much.

On the M62 there are about 12 gallons of hydraulic fluid….consider yourself lucky lol.
 

PoTreeBoy

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L35 Ford 3930
Mar 24, 2020
2,344
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WestTn/NoMs
Apparently the 50 hour service on at least the B2301/2601 and LX2601/SU want you to change both the hydraulic and HST filters at 50 but not the hydraulic fluid. Probably same on all Kubotas. At least you don't have to muck with suctions screen checks and all like JD says to do. I've never ever found anything on the screens; don't know why JD still recommend it.

Think it's the HST filter where one loses a lot of fluid if not quick enough in getting the old filter off and new one on. Doubtful it works well. Saw it on a Kioti. Didn't.

Thought about using the Shop Vac trick but the thought occurred to me "why not just extract the fluid and then pump it back in".

Any one done this?

I've both a Northern Tool "Ironton" 12v pump extractor and a DR oil extractor. The pump is faster, but its limp suction line can't be directed like the one on the DR can. Just pump into an empty diesel container and then pour or pump it back in when filters are changed. Wouldn't have to get absolutely the last drop out.

The dual pans on the engines will be a challenge. I'll probably just suck out what the extractor gets and open the drain plugs to find out which one it missed; might try sucking out oil inlet, too, to see if I get both pans. Did this on my first tractor and found NO oil came out. It didn't have the dual pans though. I absolutely do not like opening drains, with potential gasket replacements, etc. Use the oil extractors on everything now.
I'm not sure about those models, but many Kubota tractors have multiple transmission drain plugs. Specifically, there is a plug on each final drive which is lower than the center plug.
If I were going to this much trouble, I'd drain those so I could check for water and debris.
 

AdmiralS

New member

Equipment
ToolCat UW53 (On Order), LX3310HSDC
Dec 7, 2021
13
11
3
Hudson Valley, New York
I'm not sure about those models, but many Kubota tractors have multiple transmission drain plugs. Specifically, there is a plug on each final drive which is lower than the center plug.
If I were going to this much trouble, I'd drain those so I could check for water and debris.
You are correct. The LX series have a drain right at the mid pto, and on each of the rear axle housings for a total of 3.
 

OntheRidge

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Kubota L47 TLB, Homestead 55" grapple, LP 1684 rear blade, WR Long 84" snowplow
Nov 1, 2020
277
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25427
I also used the shop vac trick, used a piece of pvc to fit to the oil fill. Worked like a charm, lost about 4 drops.
 

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bbxlr8

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L2501 w/R14s, LA525, BH77, SGC0660, CL 5' BB, CL PHD, WG24 + Ford 1210 60" mmm,
Mar 29, 2021
339
208
43
Eastern PA
Could just be that it's a Sunday night and I'm a bit fried but what is the shop vac. trick...?
THX
 

bbxlr8

Active member

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L2501 w/R14s, LA525, BH77, SGC0660, CL 5' BB, CL PHD, WG24 + Ford 1210 60" mmm,
Mar 29, 2021
339
208
43
Eastern PA
Just saw ontheridges post & pic. I infer that you use it to pull neg pressure on the sump?
 

OntheRidge

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Kubota L47 TLB, Homestead 55" grapple, LP 1684 rear blade, WR Long 84" snowplow
Nov 1, 2020
277
324
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25427
Just saw ontheridges post & pic. I infer that you use it to pull neg pressure on the sump?
Exactly, I used the pvc pipe in case the fluid rose up some, so it did not get in my shop vac. Attach it, turn it on, pull filter, no leakage.
 
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bbxlr8

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L2501 w/R14s, LA525, BH77, SGC0660, CL 5' BB, CL PHD, WG24 + Ford 1210 60" mmm,
Mar 29, 2021
339
208
43
Eastern PA
Nice - thanks for the clarification. I have been working on old cars and in that hobby for many years and never heard of this.

For my full education (never too old to learn a new trick!) how much comes out otherwise? I know how "precious" the udt-2 is ;)
 
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lugbolt

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ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
4,808
1,575
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Mid, South, USA
extractors are awesome. One of the best inventions ever.

Deere likes you to clean the screen because it gets plugged with silicone worms, as well as sometimes the tractors sit on the lot for eons, and their fluid grows algae that plugs the screen. Did many of them brand new.

BX's and ZD's had some issue with the screens getting very dirty very quickly too. Mostly from silicone worms, remnants of liquid gasket that is used to seal the transmission up.
 

Orange1forme

Active member

Equipment
B2650 HSDC, filled tires, wheel spacers, B2728B , LA534A FEL, 3rd valve kit
Dec 1, 2018
394
56
28
Wa
I, too, just did ALL the fluids at the 50 hour service.

minimal added cost, heard it may lessen the HST whine(I have a cab) and it did some, and as others stated there were traces of "junk" in the fluids from manufacturing.
 
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B737

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LX3310
Jun 9, 2019
2,024
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New Jersey
You are correct. The LX series have a drain right at the mid pto, and on each of the rear axle housings for a total of 3.
same configuration on B2601

I change the fluid for the 50 hour service, nothing more than peace of mind.

this is 50 hour fluid that come out of B2601


50 hour fluid out of LX3310
 
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B2710

Member

Equipment
LX3310, L45, RTV1100
Dec 13, 2011
42
26
18
SE Tennessee
same configuration on B2601







I change the fluid for the 50 hour service, nothing more than peace of mind.







this is 50 hour fluid that come out of B2601











50 hour fluid out of LX3310



I1


Wow, that looks like my fluid at 200 hrs...I normally use the shop vac trick if the fluid is not required to be changed... but I may dump it on my L3310 for the 50hr servive.
 

nbryan

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Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Jan 3, 2019
1,161
705
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Hadashville, Manitoba, Canada
At 50 hour change time I got the hydraulic sump filter all ready to go with lubed o-ring, and without losing 1/2 quart of fluid swapped it out real quick.
 

jyoutz

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Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Jan 14, 2019
2,458
1,565
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Edgewood, New Mexico
Exactly, I used the pvc pipe in case the fluid rose up some, so it did not get in my shop vac. Attach it, turn it on, pull filter, no leakage.
The dealer just told me to drive the tractor up on a 2x6 board on the side of the filter to tilt it slightly away from the filter. He said that works as well as the vacuum method and it’s simplier.
 
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GSD-Keegan

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Equipment
B2601 with Fel and Bh70 backhoe
Mar 6, 2021
532
686
93
Ontario, Canada
Just did 50 hr on my 2601. Plugged the vent. Fluid was very clear compared to previous pics. Needed to add about 1 qt to refill. In my opinion not worth the hassle to do anything more than spin old off and spin new on.
 
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Millsertime

New member

Equipment
LX2610
Nov 5, 2021
14
11
3
Poconos, PA
Just did 50 hr on my 2601. Plugged the vent. Fluid was very clear compared to previous pics. Needed to add about 1 qt to refill. In my opinion not worth the hassle to do anything more than spin old off and spin new on.
Agree. I lost some but not much. I also used my bucket to lift my front end while replacing the filter. Not sure if it helped at all but as long as you are in a comfortable position and ready with the new filter, you won't lose much.
 

NHSleddog

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B2650
Dec 19, 2019
2,149
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Southern, NH
On my B2650 I just replaced it all. I'm glad I did after seeing how it looked. With the fines it had in it, it will probably be the most important one in its lifetime.

You guys that didn't dump it and just saw a little fluid, are not seeing the whole picture. Dump the whole 5gal into a pan and drag a magnet around, you will be surprised.

My second change was much cleaner.

I have always gone by the Ford racing approach to breaking things in.
 
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