resurrecting l245dt, fluids question

[kboytown]

Hi. I was finally able to buy the old l245dt from my childhood that has been parked for about 15 years. I know the PTO wasn't working when parked and I hope changing the filter might be the easy fix for that, but knowing my luck.....

I do have some questions I hope someone can help with. (I printed the owner's manual from an online source, still can't find a service manual for this model. ) Okay, here's my questions:

Manual says to use SAE80 gear oil for trans/hydraulics. I called local dealer and they said their book said UDT or super UDT, but then said I should stick w/ gear oil if that's what the owner manual recommends. So, what is conventional wisdom on this? Fluids hadn't ever been changed, they are all drained now and want to make sure I put what's best for the old girl. Also I drained front axle and hubs (not sure what they are called). Are those connected to the rest of the tractor? or do they need to be filled individually? also, if I use UDT, can or should it be used there? Or should that be gear oil? I'm trying to take care of her and just want to make sure I don't do any additional damage? Everything else in the rear will be reached by the fluids filled by the main fill port on the tractor, correct?

Anyone know the battery group size for this?

What weight motor oil do people generally use?

Which coolant type for this tractor?


Thanks so much for any assistance you might be able to give!

 

[007kubotaguy]

Great old machine. The front axle is three compartments. Each outer drive is separate from the center section. They do not have level plugs on them. Just a drain plug and a fill plug. They should be half full with 80 90 gear oil. The transmission hydraulic system should use any good quality tractor / hydraulic fluid. No need to spend the money on the Kubota fluid. You have a cleanable screen that is under the left hand step that is removable and can be cleaned with solvent.

 

[Russell King]

Go to this site and move down to where you see a tractor and click on the tractor

www.kubotabooks.com

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You should see an index like this:

Move to the L185 listings and notice the L245 is in the same WSM as the other L185,L235,L245…

The PTO is not driven by hydraulics but through the clutch and gears. You have to let the clutch pedal up (not pushed down at all) to start the PTO. You have a PTO speed lever that needs to be in gear for the PTO to work.

I use Tractor Supply Traveler UTTF in my L185F transmission. You have to remember that 80W gear oil was about all that was available at that time. The new fluids are much better for the hydraulics. Gear oil is fine in the front drive but you may have to use a multi grade now.

The antifreeze can be just plain old ”Prestone” green or anything similar. I recommend you get a premix since you will be needing to add over time and the shelf life of antifreeze is not that long so I end up throwing the concentrate out.

For motor oil, just use a diesel rated oil and viscosity suitable for your area. I use Shell Rotella T4 or T5, not T6.