L2501HST 50Hr Hydraulic Fluid Change?

Eesquibel

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Equipment
L2501 Hst
May 8, 2020
46
1
6
New Mexico
L2501 HST. I know the manual doesn't call for it at 50hrs but I've seen some people suggest doing it at 50. I cant decide if I should or not. I dont mind spending the money if it's for good purpose but I'd hate to waste it if its not necessary. Also what about the front axle? 50 or 400?
 

NHSleddog

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B2650
Dec 19, 2019
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I did the all the fluids at 50 hours on my B2650. I am glad I did. The HST and axle had metal fines in them. Not that they couldn't stay there until 400 hrs. There is no filtering system in the front axle AFAIK.
 
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UpNorthMI

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L3200, L3901, MX5800, SVL75-2, KX040
May 12, 2020
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As you are changing the hydraulic and HST filters you will catch some of the hydraulic fluid, this will allow you to inspect the Super UDT2 fluid and then you can make an informed decision. If you don't mind the cost I would replace the fluid after the initial 50 hours, you need approximately 6.2 gallons ($125 - $130). From this point you can follow the general fluid change recommendations.

I often change my fluid earlier than the recommended hours due to the low hours I put on the tractor each year. Typically I will change it at 200 hours as it may be 5 years since the prior change.

As commented above the front axle has no filter, my personal opinion is to change the front axle fluid no matter what as it only takes just over a gallon.
 

beckmurph

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Kubota LX2610TLB/Woods finish mower/woods rotary cutter/
Aug 23, 2012
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catlettsburg, ky
L2501 HST. I know the manual doesn't call for it at 50hrs but I've seen some people suggest doing it at 50. I cant decide if I should or not. I dont mind spending the money if it's for good purpose but I'd hate to waste it if its not necessary. Also what about the front axle? 50 or 400?
I bought a large oil change bucket at walmart and drained the hydraulic fluid into it.
Then just reused the hydraulic fluid aftet changing both filters.
 

Mak65

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Equipment
L2501 HST
Apr 25, 2019
109
60
28
TX
I changed it on my L2501 HST at the 50 hour service (49.6 actually). A good side effect, it dampened the engine whine like some others on this forum have said it would. It used to be loud in High (M and L, too) running between fields but now it is only noticeable when you first start rolling at low rpm.

I checked the front axle level and it was good but I intend to change it to 80W-90 gear oil at 100 hours.

I also added the smaller, internal air filter as my land can get pretty dusty in the hot Texas summers.
 

rjcorazza

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L4060 HSTC Loader, ZD326, ZD1211
Mar 9, 2016
778
22
18
Hyattstown, MD
I think you will find folks split 50/50 on this topic. On my previous L3410 I changed the fluid at 50h, and on my current L4060 I did it at 400h.
 

Eesquibel

Member

Equipment
L2501 Hst
May 8, 2020
46
1
6
New Mexico
I think you will find folks split 50/50 on this topic. On my previous L3410 I changed the fluid at 50h, and on my current L4060 I did it at 400h.
That’s exactly what I’m seeing. Did you notice any difference in anything at changing at 50 vs 400? If you had to give me a recommendation would you say do it at 50? Or don’t waste your money and do it at 400as Kubota recommends?
 

NHSleddog

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B2650
Dec 19, 2019
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I didn't want the metal fines I found floating around in there another 350 hours. The first change done is the most important as it is getting all the metal fines (from manufacturing) as well as break in.
 

rjcorazza

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Equipment
L4060 HSTC Loader, ZD326, ZD1211
Mar 9, 2016
778
22
18
Hyattstown, MD
That’s exactly what I’m seeing. Did you notice any difference in anything at changing at 50 vs 400? If you had to give me a recommendation would you say do it at 50? Or don’t waste your money and do it at 400as Kubota recommends?
I did not notice any difference in the 50h vs 400h change, either in operation or fluid appearance. Fluid appearance is a poor indicator of condition anyway.
"If I HAD to" I would say that since you are putting the thought into this and you state that money is not a driving factor, then change it out at 50h for your peace of mind. There is no penalty other than money and time.
 

NHSleddog

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B2650
Dec 19, 2019
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Metals fines are why you use filters... they get captured within the filter. The oil (once filtered) is perfectly fine....
I have a 5gal pail full of UDT2 from my 50hr that looks like it has swirls of metallic in it. All the filters were on my tractor prior just filtering away.

I am a cheap Yankee. Believe me I would have left it if it was clean. It was exactly what I expected for a new unit assembly after break-in.

After changing it I can say it is nice and clean looking still (just did the 200hr service).
 

bx tractorjoe

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kubota l2501 upgraded from a bx23s john deere 670 husquarvana huv 4421 gxp
Jun 3, 2020
258
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loxahatchee flordia
One thing you can do is drain a bit of fluid from the lowest drain holes to get any metal out from the bottom, then replace with new oil, or filter the old..