Wrong hydraulic fluid used in hydraulic/transmission reservoir

[bjfull]

I had to replace a hydraulic line on my loader attached to my L3800. After doing so, I mistakenly added about 1 gallon of regular hydraulic fluid/oil (off brand) to the main fluid reservoir.

Should I drain the system and put in new Kubota UDT fluid to ensure no damage? Or will the one gallon of regular fluid mix in ok with the other 6 gallons of Kubota UDT fluid last changed in 2017

The tractor only has about 300 hrs on it

New Member...and thanks in advance for advice.

 

[old and tired]

{I should have look into sooner...}.. what brand was the "regular" hydraulic fluid (what specs does it meet?)

From their website: "... This product is not recommended for transmission, differentials, wet brakes or final drive gears..."

Big fat NO!!!

 

[SidecarFlip]

I would say you are fine... what brand was the "regular" hydraulic fluid (what specs does it meet?)

Exactly, what brand and type.

 

[bjfull]

thanks for the quick response it was tractor supply's Traveller ISO 46 hydraulic oil (SAE 20 equivalent)

 

[bjfull]

I would say you are fine... what brand was the "regular" hydraulic fluid (what specs does it meet?)

I posted a reply, don't know if i did it right for all to see though

 

[Henro]

How long do you plan on keeping the tractor? You’re probably going to change out the hydraulic fluid at 400 hours anyway.

I assume it’s a hydrostatic transmission? If so, I would replace the fluid as soon as possible rather than risk something bad happening at some point down the line.

Gear tractor? I would probably not worry too much about it… Your tractor, your call.

As pointed out above you probably will be OK as it is. Myself I would not chance it, but that’s just me…

 

[bjfull]

How long do you plan on keeping the tractor? You’re probably going to change out the hydraulic fluid at 400 hours anyway.

I assume it’s a hydrostatic transmission? If so, I would replace the fluid as soon as possible rather than risk something bad happening at some point down the line.

Gear tractor? I would probably not worry too much about it… Your tractor, your call.

As pointed out above you probably will be OK as it is. Myself I would not chance it, but that’s just me…

it is a HST.....I obviously don't want to damage the tractor, so will just spend the bucks to get new Kubota oil and filters..... : (

 

[Henro]

it is a HST.....I obviously don't want to damage the tractor, so will just spend the bucks to get new Kubota oil and filters..... : (

If you replace the fluid now, you should be able to use it for whatever hours are recommended between changes. That makes the decision a bit less painful. Change your filters and check the hydraulic screen and you have a head start on the next recommended service.

You might also want to consider going with SUDT, although it costs a little more than UDT.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Henro is correct and the TSC Traveller stuff is not approved by nor is it rated for an HST transmission. In fact I never buy that stuff. Maybe in a log splitter but not in anything else.

 

[old and tired]

From their website... " This product is not recommended for transmission, differentials, wet brakes or final drive gears"

Yes, you need to change it out....

 

[ki4dog]

Sorry for the stupid question, but did you run it or is it still just in the reservoir? I'm thinking Bobcat type reservoir that is separate from the hydraulics. Personally I'd change it out.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Price of a fluid change vs. price of a transmission.....

Any questions?

 

[Mak65]

Price of a fluid change vs. price of a transmission.....

Any questions?

Agree wholeheartedly.

 

[BruceP]

Let not forget that ANYTIME you change hydraulic-driven implements.... any fluid in the implement is mixed with your hydraulic system.

Most people who rent/borrow implements DO NOT concern themselves with this intermixing of unknown fluid. I have NEVER heard of any adverse effects.

 

[Magicman]

Commonly known as "swapping spit".

 

[SidecarFlip]

Let not forget that ANYTIME you change hydraulic-driven implements.... any fluid in the implement is mixed with your hydraulic system.

Most people who rent/borrow implements DO NOT concern themselves with this intermixing of unknown fluid. I have NEVER heard of any adverse effects.

Very few implements I know of are hydraulically driven. Maybe a FEL mounted post hole digger or a snow thrower, but that is about it. Lots of implements are hydraulically actuated via hydraulic cylinders and none of those cylinders hold a lot of fluid and whatever fluid is in them mixes with yours but no where near a gallon or even a pint.

So rarely hydraulically driven as in gross fluid exchange but hydraulically actuated as in little fluid exchange. Big difference.

Most people who rent tractors / implements are lucky to put fuel in them and NEVER check fluid levels anyway, not theirs, why should they care....


I think Darren can attest to that.

Why I never loan my equipment out unless I'm the operator, but to say there is a wholesale exchange of fluid when swapping implements is incorrect. there isn't.

I borrow my buddy's Worksaver hydraulic post driver once in a while and he uses HyTrans in his JD so I probably have some HyTrans mixed in with the 15 gallons of oil in my gearcase but not enough to be concerned about. Don't think that little bit will cause my Kubota to turn green.....

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Drain and replace all the fluid and filters!

 

[bjfull]

Thanks for everyone's replies....changed out the oil and filters this morning....