50 hour service approaching

P

pepr

Senior Member
Fellow RTVers, my RTV 900 XT is approaching the first 50 hours. Kubota recommends engine oil/filter change, HST oil filter change, and transmission oil filter change, plus a few other lubrications and wheel bolt re-torque.

I'm interested in what engine oils are being successfully used. I have no experience with Kubota oil since this is my first Kubota. I'll bet there is better oil available than Kubota and probably more economical. Please share your experiences with engine oils for your RTV.

Thanks
 
Which engine oil – always a controversial question. Me, I use Shell Rotella T 15w40 in all my diesels – RTV, JD 4310 & F250 7.3l. In my garden tractor and mowers I use Shell Rotella T 30w. Never had any issues w/lubrication failures, oil consumption or sludging. Been using it for 15+ years. And it's readily available at Wal-Mart. What more could you ask for.
 
Been using the Kubota engine oil in the RTV.
We have been using the shell Rotella for years in other equipment, and it has served us well.
BUT, my next oil change will be Amsoil Diesel engine oil, been moving our engines over to that.
It has proven to us so far to be the best, and seeing how that oil don't break down like regular oils, will lubricate internal engine better, which makes our engine perform and last so much longer with no or little shop time.
My suggestion would be use only the Kubota or Wix on engine itself.
Now use only the Kubota filters on the transmission. And my suggestion would be use only the Kubota Super UDT transmission fluids in the tranny. Kubota transmissions love this, this fluid pumps threw the transmissioin so much better, which makes your machine stronger.
And we grease our alimites with Amsoil Synthetic Polymeric Off-Road Grease, NLGI #2
That grease don't wash or wear away. Great product !!!!

This is all just my opinion.
 

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Changing it is the most important part no matter what oil you use.

I change my every 50 hours of even sooner if it get black.

Art
 
I changed my filters and fluids on 10/2 at 67 hrs.Took these pictures of the crud on the magnetic transmission plug.- Also make sure that the gasketring doesn't fall off and into the collecting pan. One of the holes in hydro filter has a piece of gasket making material in it as well.The rear filter is blue from the factory but the orange one is the same thing. Also be sure to check the tightness of all hose clamps. bordercollie
 

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Another tip, if I may: ALWAYS ensure that the filter gasket ring comes off with the filter. Many many years ago, during my aviation and Porsche careers, I changed oil in my Porsche 911. It held 8 quarts. I removed the old filter and screwed the new one on, then I added 5 quarts of oil "just to get things started," so to speak. I started the engine and watched as the oil pressure started to rise. As pressure came up, I heard an odd Pffffffffffffft sound. "That's odd. What was that?," I asked myself. I opened the door and stepped into a puddle of oil that was quickly spreading across the garage. I spoke many, many Navy words.

The filter gasket from the old filter attached itself to the filter mount on the engine. When I screwed the new filter on, I was spinning up a new gasket to an old one. When I lit off the engine and pressure came up, the oil started spewing between the gaskets. What #^*% mess it was.

Ever since ... I look at and touch the old filter gasket, or ring. I show it to my wife. I show it to the neighbor's dog. I set it atop a fence post so Chinese and Russian satellites can photograph it. There is no doubt in my military mind that the old gasket or ring is fully accounted for. And, out of an abundance of caution, I eyeball the filter mount on the engine to double-ensure there is no ring stuck to it. All it takes is one moment of inattention to burn your toast. Trust me. You don't want to observe the surface area of 5 quarts of oil ... or even 1 quart.
 
Heatwave said:
Another tip, if I may: ALWAYS ensure that the filter gasket ring comes off with the filter. Many many years ago, during my aviation and Porsche careers, I changed oil in my Porsche 911. It held 8 quarts. I removed the old filter and screwed the new one on, then I added 5 quarts of oil "just to get things started," so to speak. I started the engine and watched as the oil pressure started to rise. As pressure came up, I heard an odd Pffffffffffffft sound. "That's odd. What was that?," I asked myself. I opened the door and stepped into a puddle of oil that was quickly spreading across the garage. I spoke many, many Navy words.

The filter gasket from the old filter attached itself to the filter mount on the engine. When I screwed the new filter on, I was spinning up a new gasket to an old one. When I lit off the engine and pressure came up, the oil started spewing between the gaskets. What #^*% mess it was.

Ever since ... I look at and touch the old filter gasket, or ring. I show it to my wife. I show it to the neighbor's dog. I set it atop a fence post so Chinese and Russian satellites can photograph it. There is no doubt in my military mind that the old gasket or ring is fully accounted for. And, out of an abundance of caution, I eyeball the filter mount on the engine to double-ensure there is no ring stuck to it. All it takes is one moment of inattention to burn your toast. Trust me. You don't want to observe the surface area of 5 quarts of oil ... or even 1 quart.
Click to expand...
Heatwave , I loved your comment on the filter's rubber gasket. That really made me smile on "who all you showed it to". I also take a rag and wipe the face of the meeting surface after a similar experience. That also brings to mind the time years ago I started pouring new UDT in the trans and had forgotten to put the plug in- caught it after I saw the liquid gold running by my foot. Then I jumped under and stuck my finger in the hole till I could grab the plug - Had $30 worth of fluid in my hair and on my old clothes but I did save a little of it. ;) bordercollie
 
Ya I just hate to wipe oil off a concrete floor.
If I never have to do it again in my lifetime it will be to soon.
Watch what will happen now when I change the oil in something and drop the pan on the floor and spill 5 qt. or more.

LOL

Art
 
Art454 & Bordercollie,

Mine however resulted in gasket blow on the highway; Left a semi-permanent streak of oil that I passed for a few months. Each time I passed that section of highway, I remember seeing black instead of gray, thinking why would you put a new filter on a black surface after all these year? That was just last fall.
 
You mention the "old forgotten drain plug trick." Yep ... I did that one, too. Same Porsche. Neighbor's girlfriend, Katy, saw me working on the car ... she really liked the car. I think it was the car.

Anyhow, while I was partially under the car, she came over to talk to me. Kinda squatted down. Skirt. My eyes immediately went to lock-on mode. My brain went to full military idle. My car brain, that is. My other brain was in over-heat mode. Cool and dashing, I slid from beneath the car and told her how much I appreciated her "help." The Game was on. But I pursued my maintenance duties first, and with all the charm, coolness, and savoir faire I could muster, I told Katy: "Watch this." And I shoved the pour spout gizmo through the top of the oil can--a little suggestive symbolism, you know.

Still in full cool mode, I struck an aviation pose and poured in the first quart of oil, sensing that her turbines were spooling up quickly. We were "communicating," if you follow me.

Then Katy said, "What's that," pointing to the garage floor. "That" was the quart of oil I had just poured in. I jammed my right hand into my jeans pocket ... and there was the drain plug. A pocket is a good place to put a drain plug if all you want to do is carry it around. If you want it to hold oil, you gotta screw it in. My feeble brain was in screw mode, but not the drain plug type.

Another lesson learned? You betcha....
 
Great stories!!!

As for oil on garage floors, I always lay down large sheets of cardboard when changing oil. Does a nice job of catching and absorbing oil. Makes a nice fire starter for later.
 
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