How to Change the Front Axle Case Oil in Kubota L Series Tractors (#91)

This video covers how to change the front axle case oil on the Kubota standard L Series Tractors with 4WD, in particular, the L3301 & L3901, although much of the same steps apply to the L2501 and other Kubota tractors.
View the full list of Kubota L Series Tractor Maintenance videos here:
• Kubota L Series Tracto...
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[@rodneycarpenter3253]

I really like the way you do your videos it makes it very easy to understand.

[@michaelwmauser1]

My Kubota manual says that you should: 4. After filling, reinstall the filling plug. 5. Run the machine a few minutes in order for the front-axle-case-oil to flow through the front-axle case. 6. Remove the oil-level-check-plug and check to see if the front-axle-case-oil flows out of its port. 7. If the front-axle-case-oil does not flow out, add the front-axle-case-oil through the filling port until it flows out of the oil-level-check-port.

[@LouisianaTractorworks]

Enjoyed the video Martin! These videos will help a lot of people learning for the first time about their Kubota! Nicely done video!! Have a good weekend my friend!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi John! Many thanks for the kind words, sir! And a splendid weekend to you too!

[@houndsmanone4563]

Thanks Martin for this video. You're covering an area that many tractor owners need to ensure are addressed. Have a fine week. 👍🏽

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Don! You’re welcome! Thanks for watching and I hope you have a most excellent week too!

[@markjones4090]

Your tutorials always make it look easy, good one.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, Mark!

[@keithrayeski6417]

Oh, side note…I’ve got the Kioti 2510 HST…love it! 😁

[@cambiumguy]

You make it sounds so simple. Great videos as always.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, Cambium Guy!

[@davidmartin303]

Great video, I'm saving these for when I have to do these for mine.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you, David! I'm very glad to hear you find them useful!

[@Johnthedagger]

Appreciate your videos. Straightforward, logical, and easy to understand. The required tools part is also an important step other channels leave out so thx👍

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi John! Glad you find my videos helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@TheKevan61]

Very, very useful. Thanks again from Ottawa, Ontario.

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@rainbowbudgies1129]

Thanks so much for the videos for this tractor. You are a natural and excellent communicator. Your videos have given me the reassurance I needed to do them myself on my Kubota.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you very much for the kind and encouraging words! I’m glad my videos have been a help to you!

[@dwayneloftice2326]

As always....thorough and complete....as painful, but necessary, as the process is!

[@DIYMyWay]

Yep, that was a pain. Fortunately it doesn’t have to be done very often. Thanks for watching!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Great maintenance routines are priceless and will make your equipment last a lot longer. I find it darned near impossible to change fluids without getting drips and spills everywhere. You did great here!! Way to go!!! Thanks for posting and take care!!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Mike! Thank you, sir! Yep, fluid changes are always messy business. Thanks for watching!

[@nickg2366]

As always, excellent!!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, Nick! Much appreciated!

[@ProjectNineOaks]

Great video. Thank you for this tutorial. I need to this on my New Holland!

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you!

[@stephensclavos4485]

I find just take off one tire at a time stick the pan under the axle , ( loader picking up the front end ) then pull up On other tire with a block under it , then the axle is tilted on way or the other when u do the other side , drain is more complete and faster ( using good old millwaukee 1/2 inch 18 v fuel impact ! Great tool !

[@ericduck8273]

I find your videos very informative.

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad to hear it, Eric! Thanks for watching!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Good evening, Great maintenance video Sir !!! Cheers 👍👌

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, Dave! Cheers!

[@bwise114]

Martin - I truly enjoy your full series of videos and have learned a good deal from you. The Kubota manuals are adequate but I find your examples and narrative remove the misinterpretation of the manuals written instruction. I’m one of those who learns best by example or by doing it myself. I too have a Kubota L3910, which now has a little over 700 hours of use. I just changed the gear oil for the front axle. You are correct, by applying some compressed air to the top add port the oil flows out much quicker. I have learn not to exceed an air pressure of 30 PSI; otherwise, like me you’ll be mopping up the over spray. Thank again and keep the videos coming. I also enjoy the good variety of subjects.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you so much for the encouraging feedback, bwise! You have 200 more hours on yours than mine. LOL! Yes, too much pressure would make for a mess! As mentioned in the video, I used Kubota Super UDT-2 hydraulic fluid to replace the gear oil since is is one of the recommendation. I expect it will drain a lot better when 800 hours roles around. We shall see. Thanks for watching!

[@stevewalls8289]

Just serviced my l3800 hst very helpful”thanks keep up the good work.

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

Excellent! Very helpful! I'm only at 165hrs, so got a while to go.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, Phil! At least you know what you have to look forward to. Thanks for watching!

[@ilovear15]

Great job explaining

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad you think so! Thanks for stopping by!

[@faulltw]

Thanks for the video. I just changed the axile oil in my BX23S. I only had 150 hrs, but saw it was low. Turned out it was a little over half but I didn’t see ant meatal shavings. Shame because the dealer supposedly did my 50 hr check. I have now went back and did everything they charged me for.

[@DIYMyWay]

Very smart of you to doublecheck your dealer's work! Sorry they didn't do a good job. Thanks for watching!

[@offgridmangogrower]

What monkeys were on your Kubota…? It’s a double screwing….like paying an idiot to harvest your crop and stashes a portion for a later resale…

[@ilovetomorrow]

Well done, thank you.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks for watching, Pat!

[@keithrayeski6417]

I don’t have a kubota but, I still enjoy your videos…perhaps it’s why it’s 400 hours because it takes that long to painfully drain it!!😁👊🏻

[@DIYMyWay]

LOL! True! Thanks for watching!

[@stevesapiary]

I used a piece of aluminum foil under that drain plug to direct the oil into the pan -which works fine unless the wind is blowing a bit. I like your funnel idea better.

[@dbdabney49]

Thanks very thorough

[@DIYMyWay]

Very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@darrelhooper976]

This really helped, thanks

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad to hear it, Darrel! Thanks for watching!

[@SatelliteEngineer]

Excellent video! All of your videos are tremendously helpful. I tried your "blowing air in" it trick. It worked great but made a huge mess. Next time I take off both bolts in the morning and put them back in the evening.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you, Rick! Great to know you find my videos helpful!

[@paulchapman5040]

Thank you very informative

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad it was helpful to you, Paul! Thanks for watching!

[@clintstanley9121]

Thank y’all

[@DIYMyWay]

Y’all are welcome!

[@jessarmedenillagunshooting9327]

Very informative sir... thanks for sharing

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks for watching, Jessar!

[@zachedge2447]

Nice informative video

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks!

[@mukeshbagarti1814]

Thanks for this video. It will very helpful to me and other if you make a video for repairing of gear oil leakage from the front axle.

[@DIYMyWay]

You are welcome, Mukesh! If I ever have oil leakage from the front axle I will make a video about it. Thanks for watching!

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

Thank you for a helpful video! If I may suggest, check the oil level after driving the tractor for a bit. When filling, the oil can back up and come out the check plug before the axle hub is full. It's happened to me and it only takes a moment to do.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks for the tips!

[@brettblack7049]

Thanks!😀

[@DIYMyWay]

Welcome!

[@chrisandsteve5238]

Excellent video, e specially given that the owners manual is not really clear on this procedure. As a L3301 HST owner, many thanks!

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you! Glad it helped!

[@mlaw207]

I love the useful instructions. Since you are doing the 400 hour service, have you done videos of the 200 and 300 hour service for the L series?

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, M Law! I haven’t finished the 200 and 400 hour versions of the video and won’t be doing a 300 hour because it’s the same as the 100 hour one. Basically the only distinct ones are 50, 100, 200, 400 and I think 800. Thanks for watching!

[@twinstickpete]

Thank You

[@DIYMyWay]

You’re welcome Billy! Thanks for watching!

[@twinstickpete]

@DIY My Way It's my pleasure, sir. This is my first tractor and my knowledge is low. I'm a retired otr trucker so I do have experience with diesel and machinery..... but it's really nice watching you explain how to maintain this L3901. Thanks again. Oh, I just ordered the wheel spinner and floor mats....You convinced me on the spinner

[@offgridmangogrower]

Lots of helpful tips…thank you….tell us about your tool boxes…I counted 3….?

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad it was helpful to you! I have two tool boxes and two chain boxes that could be used for tools as well. You’ll find videos on them in my tractor mods playlist. Thanks for watching!

[@bryantjones8039]

Thank you for the very informative video. I have a question for you which is. Should I keep my tractor in the 4x4 position at all times? If not then when other than loading with the loader.

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Bryant! Glad you found it helpful! Unless you are always on terrain the requires 4WD, I recommend engaging it when you need it. And ALWAYS disengage it when you're driving on paved or concrete surfaces. Thanks for watching!

[@whiz3528]

Just a thought on the draining front axle oil. It might drain a little faster if the orange funnel was some way supported above the level of the oil in the pan. It would not have to overcome the back pressure from the oil in the pan at the tip of the funnel.

[@DIYMyWay]

True but easier said than done. Thanks for watching!

[@joerogan8723]

That won’t make it come out of the axle any faster, as long as the funnel isn’t overflowing that won’t do anything

[@xrpdreamermaxrodrigues1723]

Hi and thanks so much for your videos, very informative, question, whats the reservoir tank in the engine compartment against the “firewall” i have a L3750, wish i can upload a pic of it.

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad you like them! If you want to you can send a picture to [e-mail].

[@kalargyi2692]

👍

[@litoengineering9261]

Kubota L4018 forget to check oil level front axel since I bought, 1015.5 running hour then add hydrulic oil almost 2 litre added, was it affect the bearing and gear?

[@DIYMyWay]

Yes, if you had to add that much hydraulic oil, the lack of oil for that long has probably caused excessive wear on the gears and bearings. I hope you take better care of it from now on. Good luck!

[@Benignopedrojrt]

How many liter sir

[@Go2Sleep911]

Just did my front axle on 4701 did you notice that even using air to help drain that you never get it all. Fill capacity says 6.9qts and i only was able to get 4.5qts for refill before it started coming out the check plug. Guessing still at least a quart at the bottom of each axle hub. I wish i would have measured how much came out. Any thoughts? I think I’ll run it a little then check it for fill and add some if needed.

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Chris! That’s odd. Based on where the drain plugs are, most of the oil should come out. It’s true that you can never get it all, but a quart seems to be a lot left behind. Thanks for watching!

[@Go2Sleep911]

@@DIYMyWay i drove it around at low speed and was able to get another 1/2 qt in so 5 qts total back in.

[@densyawal8788]

Excuse me sir, I want to ask what type of L3400 Kubota engine for transmission uses SAE oil, thank you very much

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Den! Sorry, but I’m not familiar with that tractor so I don’t know. Thanks for watching!

[@triggeredmonkey3439]

Pretty good video but I would highly suggest not using compressed air to force the oil out. Not that you'll blow a wheel seal completely out doing so but you could fold the lip of the oil seal outward causing it to prematurely fail costing you money in the future. Best to let gravity do it's work.

[@HeinerStorchennest1]

Will SAE 80W90 do the job as well or is 80 or 90 the only option?

[@DIYMyWay]

What you tractor’s manual specifies are your only options, IMO. Since Hydraulic oil is an option for my tractor, I chose it so that there’s one less type of oil I have to keep on hand. Thanks for watching!

[@HeinerStorchennest1]

@@DIYMyWay Thanks Martin for the quiick response. As SAE 80 like SAE 90 is hard to find, harder than SAE 80w90, I am quite sure, whether this one will do the job as well, as it covers both viscosity specs. In time, when the manual was written, perhaps, 80W90 does not exist.

[@marknerren402]

Why is there such a disparity between the types of lube? It seems like the UDT-2 is much lighter than 80-90 weight gear lube.

[@DIYMyWay]

That is a good question, Mark! One best asked to Kubota. However, I figure if it’s good enough for the main transmission and rear differential, it’s good enough for the front axle case too. Thanks for watching!

[@montanahosler]

I asked my dealer the same question as I was already buying the fluids for the hydrologic change. He said that because I run my tractor in the winter to move snow that the 80-90W oil would be better in the cold.

[@montanahosler]

*hydraulic

[@DIYMyWay]

Good point! It doesn’t get very cold her in the south so the hydraulic juice seems to be working fine for me.

[@bradwhitney4017]

I own a Kubota L3901, In my maintenance booklet it shows to do the front axle oil change at 800 hours. Does anyone else show that and their maintenance booklet? I know it's cheap maintenance to do it every 400 hours, Just wondering... Thanks

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Brad! Well, I’ll be darned! My manual says that too. I think I misread it since it was right below a task with a star in the 400 hour column. Good catch! At least I now have practiced it once. Thanks for watching!

[@travisconner1581]

Axle fluid is changed every 300hrs not 400hrs

[@DIYMyWay]

Maybe for your tractor, but not for mine. Thanks for watching!

[@travisconner1581]

@@DIYMyWay mine is a 2501 and I believe that's what's shown in the video.

[@offgridmangogrower]

Why was your front fluid so dark…?….never seen it as dark…did it smell burnt…?……tell us what kind of tractor use….or abuse…in my case…haha Plus my hydro oil is clear at 700 hrs and no smell….why waste resources…I’m inclined to just change out filters…maybe I’m gentle…?

[@DIYMyWay]

The front fluid was so dark because it was the original gear oil which is darker and thicker than hydro juice. Thanks for stopping by!

[@offgridmangogrower]

My L5030 was clear of any darkness….I would suspect rust or condensation ….for peace of mind I’d let a few drops come out of both side drain plugs…water will sit at lowest point….check maybe every engine oil change…..we are in a very dry climate.

[@offgridmangogrower]

Also you got me into doing a hydro oil change…looked around and found a lathe coolant pump that should work perfectly….