Choosing Oil for your Tractor's Front Axle - TMT

[@ritterjon]

💥 I was actually thinking about this exact thing today. I was going to check the manual but you answered my question. Starting to think of spring projects to do once this weather warms up. Keep on tractoring!

[@danlaabs5090]

Great info, This is talked about often on the forums. After my BX started leaking I went with 80/90. Thanks for the fast parts Messicks!

[@eosjoe565]

I noticed that the Kubota B2650 Operator's Manual for example specifically states you can use either Kubota Super-UDT or 80W-90 gear oil in the front axle. But that's not the case for all tractors. Some JD tractors use low viscosity hydraulic oil in the front axles and nothing else. Other models specify 80W-90 gear oil.

[@SteveSnowman]

This video just confirmed my course of action. Thanks. - N Idaho -

[@redclover51]

The best gear oil explanation on the Tube. 👍

[@gus473]

Had wondered if this would be better! Thanks, Neil, now I know! 👍😎

[@baronallison941]

I've heard stay with the hydraulic oil if you run it in cold temps.

[@Farmer-zx5in]

The production quality is insane. The transfer shot was just 🤤

[@kubotaman3440]

Thank you for doing a video on this I always wondered which one would be better the book said either or

[@johnroberts1509]

Thanks for this video. I have always wondered about this lube situation. Now I know.

[@LeMecanoDuDimanche]

Cool, I need to replace it on my Kubota... thanks

[@timgilchrist3065]

Thanks for the info. My Kubota M96S is 12 years old and just recently in brutal cold, I noticed a wet seal in the pivot joint. Level doesn't drop, so it is very minor. My manual calls for hydraulic oil and I was wondering if 89 90 would be safe.

[@ThePlowGuys]

Will the 80W/90 gear oil be good to use in COLD weather? Like -4 F. It can get cold here in the north.

[@jamesmaddox1450]

I wonder if a synthetic 80w-90 gear lube would be OK. I know synthetic oild can attack some seal materials.

[@briangc1972]

That's an old wive's tale. Modern seals and modern synthetic oils are completely 100% compatible

[@RechargeableLithium]

James - you can use synthetic, petroleum, or a blend - no worries with seals. Here's the 'why' part: Lube oils are a combination of a base oil (about 80%) and the additive package. The additives do all of the hard work, including anti-wear, anti-rust, detergents and dispersants, antioxidents, viscosity improvers, and more. Oils are designed to make seals swell just enough to close gaps. They have to keep swelling as the seal wears. Early synthetic oils (think WWII) were made with one type of synthetic base oil that would cause seals to shrink. Modern synthetics are made with both a PAO and ester in the base and/or parts of the additive package - and they're chosen to provide the seal swell we want.

[@Hardtruthsnocomfortablelies]

Seems 80w-90 isn't available in synthetic.

[@briangc1972]

The 85/90 synthetic gear oil has much higher shear strength than the hydraulic oils. Unless a person is operating the tractor in sub 20˚F temps, it would offer better protection. For lower temps, use the transmission fluid spec'd by the Japanese car makers. It is safe in lower temps and flows better below zero while having adequate shear strength for a ring and pinion gear set.

[@RechargeableLithium]

I use a synthetic 80/90 - it pours down to minus 54°F. No need to swap in the winter.

[@johnstaub359]

Great Point

[@pondacres]

The eternal debate on what to stick in there, hst go-juice or gear oil, haha.