I *think* what I learned is to use UDT2 in the front axle because it maintains viscosity far better than gear oil, eXpecially in Wisconsin seasonal temperature changes (snow!! to hot!).
Gearbox oil - am I smarter than Kubota engineers?
- Thread starter Delmar
- Start date
All oil is slippery. Some are more slippery when cold and some are more slippery when hot.
I think.
Well, I guess y'all have dashed my hopes of receiving a "Smarter than a Kubota Engineer" certificate. I do appreciate the feedback, though - especially the folks who interpreted the replies from guys who obviously sat in the front of the classroom. Like N3BP, I've got a few years of experience with these gearboxes and gear oil has always worked well. I'm likely to keep using it.
TheOldHokie - I agree. Keeping an eye on the seals is probably more important than oil choice. Pretty much every failure I've seen is because owner didn't notice a slow leak until they heard metal-on-metal sounds coming from running it dry.
TheOldHokie - I agree. Keeping an eye on the seals is probably more important than oil choice. Pretty much every failure I've seen is because owner didn't notice a slow leak until they heard metal-on-metal sounds coming from running it dry.
Runs With Scissors
Well-known member
Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Don’t despair…...I have faith in you sir….I think you are “Smarter than a Kubota Engineer"
(at least the one that designed the “middle of the hood gas tank”.
)That type grease sounds similar to Corn head grease which is what I use in my cutter gearboxes.
I use "00" for the button head grease fittings on the undercarriage of old Cats.
Thanks, Runs With Scissors. I'll take it!
I once worked on a Kubota mower gearbox that was packed with grease. Severely neglected with deteriorated seals and someone just packed it with grease. It had obviously been operated that way for many hours. It was a bear to clean up but the gears and bearings were all fine.
I once worked on a Kubota mower gearbox that was packed with grease. Severely neglected with deteriorated seals and someone just packed it with grease. It had obviously been operated that way for many hours. It was a bear to clean up but the gears and bearings were all fine.
Probably not. Uneducated speculation vs. engineers who do this for a living?
I'm probably betting on the engineers.
I'll go roll my eyes somewhere else.....
Only if you have the necessary education to understand those "nuances".
Otherwise, it's likely a case of "a little knowledge". That expression exists for very good reasons.
For something as complex as lubricants, it's not just a matter of, "thicker is better!".
Perhaps that engineer was smarter than you think. Perhaps he/she had invested in a company making fuel storage/dispensing systems such as those made by JDI, knowing that customers would soon tire of climbing up on the front wheel and balancing a 5 gallon jug on the hood. They also figured that the need to refuel in -10°F weather, or waiting 10 minutes for the fuel to trickle out of a container and into the fuel tank, or the complete loss of any feeling in the owner's fingers would eventually drive even the most stubbon and cheap owner to a better solution. Been there and done that.Don’t despair…...I have faith in you sir….I think you are “Smarter than a Kubota Engineer"
(at least the one that designed the “middle of the hood gas tank”.
The OP isn't trying to build a rocket to get him to Mars and back.
In addition, many implement manufacturers recommend 80W-90 gear oil for the gear boxes and Kubota offers a choice of UDT2 or 80-SAE 90 gear oil for the front axle of many tractors (see highlighted text below).As I mentioned earlier, the local Kubota dealer uses 85W-90 for the reason that the OP mentioned i.e. fewer issues with oil leaking past the seals.