Kubota Oil & Oil Filter Change for L Series Tractors (#64)

Learn how to change the oil and oil filter in your Kubota L2501, L3301, or L3901 tractor. You see it done step-by-step, including tips for avoiding problems that your manual doesn't cover.
This is part of my Kubota L Series Tractor Maintenance Video Playlist:
• Kubota L Series Tracto...
Visit DIYMyWay.net: diymyway.net/
Visit my Amazon Affiliate Store: www.amazon.com...
Follow Me on Twitter: / diymyway
#DIY #Kubota #KubotaMaintenance

[@williamharriss6975]

One thing I've found that's helpful is to write the date and hours on the outside of the filter in permanent ink.

[@DIYMyWay]

That’s a good practice. I don’t need to since I have a copy of the maintenance schedule sitting near the tractor and I refer to it often. Next up for me is a transmission filter change in about 40 more hours. Thanks for watching!

[@terryluebbe2560]

Another well produced how-to video. I almost want to buy an L-series tractor, so that can use them for maintenance. I always change the oil filter before adding the new oil. Then run the engine for a minute to fill the filter and check the oil level again. Then top off the oil.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, Terry!

[@bradwhitney4017]

Great video! I talked to the Kubota dealer and they said that the 400 hour change out period is for someone who would use a tractor that much within a year. You should change the oil every year whether you put 100 or 400 hours on the tractor. Thanks for your videos, they are very helpful.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks Brad! Yep, I have heard that too. Thanks for watching!

[@johncarey3029]

Changing oil seasonally is a racket. Oil doesn't "age", or you couldn't use oil you bought the previous season. Wear is the reason to change oil, and hours is the estimated measurement they use. Same with autos, 3 months or 3000 miles is a scam. The 2 months was originally an estimate due to 12k annual avg miles driven. But there's no reason to dump out new oil if granny doesn't drive her car, or if you have one that sits. The rule applies to all oil change cycles.

[@DaveNedley]

@@johncarey3029 I came here for just this reason...my L3800 has only 97 hours since last oil change, 2 1/2 years ago....but I'm going to change it.

[@loublankenheim9]

I just had my new L3901 delivered and your channel is my "New" best friend....ton of great tips!! thanks for making these....

[@DIYMyWay]

Congrats on getting your L3901! I think you're going to love it! Glad you find my videos helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@jdneal1271]

Thank you very much. I was able to easily complete the oil and filter change. I have never done any in my life on any vehicle type. 54 yr old and I'm learning all new stuff! Thanks again

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad it helped! Thanks for stopping by!

[@michaelspong2056]

I thought I'd read you were going to do a 400 hr service video. I can't find it; was I mistaken? Keep up the great work Martin....1st class!!!!!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Michael! I decided not to because I found that while there was a big demand for the 50 hour video, there was much less interest in the 100 hour video. However, there is a lot of interest in individual task videos like the one you just watched, so I just made some of those. Thanks for watching!

[@Hero1957]

Your videos are such a blessing. So clear.

[@andybean9283]

Very well done, efficient presentation , editing!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, Andy! I appreciate your feedback! Thanks for watching!

[@LouisianaTractorworks]

It looks pretty straight forward on the Kubotas. Thanks Martin for the walk through. Have a great week!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi John! Yep, nothing too dramatic. Thanks for watching! Hope you have a great week too!

[@kingZeuz]

thanks a lot i have an L260 Kubota and it was running good till the other day when it had trouble cranking so i am going to go ahead and do the water, fuel filter change! Watched your videos love them!!

[@BKxALLDAY]

Great video thank you! We are approaching 50 hours and were looking for a tutorial.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you, Brian! Glad it is helpful to you!

[@mattfillman1182]

Just hit 50hours on my L4060, they have updated the drain pan because the bolts are located at the very bottom of the pan now, not as much need for guessing the discharge distance. Great vid, wanted to be sure i was identifying the correct filter for engine oil.

[@DaveGarand]

Just got a 4802, Thanks for the Video! I'm insane about wiping all dirt off, even go to the extent of power washing dirt off. A clean engine is a happy engine and no chance of getting dirt in the engine.

[@DIYMyWay]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@ambikagananathan9209]

Very helpful thank you! Love how you clearly explain things :)

[@123490822]

THANK YOU..I find your tips very helpful saving me precious time and money

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad it was helpful to you!

[@trickdawg5521]

Glad I watched this. I only have a couple hundred hours on the last change. I etch the number of hours on my oil filter.

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi trickdawg! I'm glad that you're glad you watched this! Thanks for watching!

[@stevenleonard9678]

Great video. Saved me a lot of time/effort!

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad it helped, Steven! Thanks for watching!

[@Lovethejester1]

Thanks for such a helpful tutorial!

[@DIYMyWay]

You are welcome, Jen! Thanks for watching!

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

Great instruction Martin. Another great video. Thanks for sharing

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks!

[@roostercogburn3771]

My owner's manual says to change the engine oil every 200 hours. I like to get as much of the dirty oil out as I can. I drain it for a couple of days. My tractor is a Kubota L5240.

[@guermeisterdoodlebug7980]

Clear and concise. I need to do this on my L3940. Thank you.

[@doncurtis1008]

Nice, traitforward. Makes it easy! Thanks.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks Don! That’s what I was going for. Thanks for watching!

[@Jlayism]

Very helpful. Headed out to do the L3130.

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@tube8533]

Great presentation!

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you kindly!

[@DieselWorkz]

Your voice is awesome.

[@ganagati]

I think I can do this now. Thanks!!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Awesome, d p! I never doubted you for a moment. Thanks for watching!

[@bluesman97]

Thanks for the heads up.. do appreciate the insight.

[@michaelschettl9509]

Also a good idea to fill the filter about 1/3 to 1/2 full before installing the new filter.

[@CountryLivingWithTheHarnishs]

Thanks for sharing Martin when i change my oil in the L2501 i could only get 5 liters out and the book says it takes 5.7 liters 6 U.S qts. some where .7 liters of oil is hiding in the oil pan .i was told by the dealer that you need to leave the 2 oil plugs out and blow air in one hole and more oil will come out the second hole .

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Arles! I hadn’t heard about blowing air in one drain hole to get more oil out of the other. I might try that next time. Thanks for watching and sharing that tip!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Great video Martin. I like how you set up and go step by step. Nice editing too!!! Thanks!!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Mike! Thank you, sir! I’ll be releasing more of these short maintenance videos in between my regular stuff. I have a bush hogging video in the works that I will publish in a couple of days. Thanks for watching!

[@npanarooptonlinenet]

Can you do a spark plug change and other maintenance this was a great video I have a lawn tractor and I found it very helpful and dealerships are way too expensive

[@DIYMyWay]

Glad it was helpful to you! Next time I do maintenance on one my 4 stroke gas engines, I’ll try to remember to make a video of it. Thanks for watching!

[@valenpaul]

Thanks for the video!

[@FromSteelToWood]

Great tutorial!

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks Joe!

[@betha3586]

Excellent; thanks.

[@DIYMyWay]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Good evening Sir, Yes do change your oil first 50 yrs and the filter, but despite what the manual is written, you should change your engine oil every year or 400 hrs what ever come first. Since mineral oil after 6 month start to decay or if you using synthetic oil you are ok for 1 full year. Great video Cheers !!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Dave! “50 yrs”? Seems a little long, don’t you think? LOL I know you meant hours. I use a synthetic blend, so does that mean I’m good for 9 months? 😀 Thanks for watching!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

@@DIYMyWay Good Morning, Oupsss I did it again !!! LOL ( Yrs, Hrs ) LOL. I sold to full synthetic oil since It outstanding against various weather condition and temperature of engine. Cheers !

[@davidolchewsky5365]

I always enjoy watching your videos. Did you ever come across a torque spec for the oil drain plugs? I've looked over the owner's and large maintenance & parts manuals, but didn't find any.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you David! Glad you enjoy them. No I didn’t so I just tighten them good ‘n tight. Thanks for watching!

[@gafarms8614]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks for watching!

[@sustainableliving880]

Good video. Gets to the guts of it.

[@chucksuploads675]

Thank you Sir!

[@DIYMyWay]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@gafarms8614]

Thank you

[@exCanadian]

Martin, you and I have the same model of Kubota. The first time I changed the oil I just used regular engine oil, not something specified for diesel engines. I froze the vid right when you were pouring in the oil and it looks like you are using Shell Rotella 15W-40 Synthetic. I didn't see anything specific for "diesel" on the label. How important is it that the oil be "diesel" rated? Does using a synthetic cover for that? Love you vids! You are the best! Thank you.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thank you for the kind encouraging words! Yes, it was Shell Rotella T5 15W-40 which is a synthetic blend oil for Diesel engines (CK-4 rating). It’s very important to use an oil rated for Diesel engines. Next oil change (which is coming up soon) I’ll use Shell Rotella T6 15W-40 full synthetic oil. Thanks for watching!

[@exCanadian]

@@DIYMyWay Thanks Martin. I'll pickup a couple of jugs!

[@susancade2092]

Question? Do you change the oil filter first and then add the oil?

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Susan! I did in this video because that’s the order in the manual. Thanks for watching!

[@JerieLynFogata]

Gud day sir ijust wanna ask f how many liters of engine oil is needed to consume

[@DIYMyWay]

For my 2017 L3901, it is 7.1 quarts or 6.7 liters of engine oil. Thanks for watching!

[@JuanGuzman-jy4sd]

Do all kubota L3400 have two hydraulic oil filters or it changes if they are two wheel drive

[@allanmencsik4089]

Do these tractors require a full synthetic oil or just a synthetic blend what is everyone having the best of luck with

[@DIYMyWay]

I don’t think that they require any synthetic, but I can tell you when I changed my tractor’s oil the first time I used a synthetic blend. The next time I’ll use a full synthetic (Rotella T-6) by choice because it’s the best and my tractor deserves the best.

[@anthonykent8561]

On my 2006 L39 even though I remove the filler cap and both plugs and replace the filter, when I add new oil it turns black as there seems to be some old left somewhere. Any ideas? Barn floor is flat, so not a slope problem.

[@DIYMyWay]

I would expect the new oil to be tinted slightly with the remaining old oil in the engine but if it turn black immediately then something else is going on. It sounds like there is a pocket of old oil somewhere in the engine mixing with the new and it must be a good bit if the new oil is very dark. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@brandon6451]

Can you use synthetic?

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Brandon! Yes, you can. I used a synthetic blend last time but next oil change I’ll probably use Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic. Thanks for watching!

[@brandon6451]

@@DIYMyWay thank you! That's what I put in mine and no more low pressure light

[@ItsaboutMakingnotBuying]

It's aways good to document all fluid changes if there is a warranty question. You have proof. When I change mind I show the hours and the date. Later

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Mech! I’ve done that and, even better, videoed every step! Thanks for watching!

[@ItsaboutMakingnotBuying]

@@DIYMyWay I video my fluid changes and I show the hours. Later

[@reynaldotabuyo6212]

Please tell me the engine oil capacity of Kubota ZL2402DT=M. It needs oil change but I dont know how much oil does it takes. Thank you for the reply.

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Reynaldo! I have no idea and apparently neither does Google. I suggest you first check the dip stick to see how close to full it is. Then drain the oil and measure how many quarts (or liters) you got out. Then buy at least 1 quart (or liter) more than that to refill it, but start checking the dip stick frequently as you add the last quart (or liter) and stop when it shows full. Good luck!

[@reynaldotabuyo6212]

Thank you very much JOE. Your suggestion is helpful to me. Have a nice day.

[@SuperJamster1]

Martin, I've never seen anyone change the filter after putting the new oil in, (at least on autos), is that a tractor thing? thanks

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi SuperJamster1! I actually did change the filter first, but showed the steps in the order of the maintenance checklist. Thanks for watching!

[@bigal25938]

My manual says to use CJ 4 oil but does not say to use 10w 30 or 5W 40 etc. Is CJ 4 a synthetic?

[@DIYMyWay]

CJ-4 is a class of engine oil recommend for diesel engines with DPF systems like I have on my Kubota L3901. The temperature range of the oil depends you climate. I chose SAE15W-40 due to the hot summers and mild winters we have in Georgia. Thanks for watching!

[@amosgross479]

Where do I get the check list?

[@DIYMyWay]

I made a copy of the one in my manual. Thanks for watching!

[@rogerdickinson920]

I’ve heard both, pre-fill the filter and not pre-filling the filter If you fill the filter does that reduce the amount of oil that you put in the filter What about replacing the gasket or washer on the pan plug?

[@DIYMyWay]

I think on my tractor the washer on the oil pan plug is a copper/brass alloy and should need replacing unless it’s damaged. Thanks for watching!

[@donszajko5819]

if I add to much oil will it harm my engine

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Don! I have always heard that too much oil can harm the engine so I make sure I don’t overfill it. Thanks for watching!

[@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 don’t know. You should be able to find out with a Google search. Good luck!

[@Bamacountry88]

I need to do this. Great video but i do have one question,you put the new oil in and then change the filter?

[@DIYMyWay]

That is the order that the check list specified, so I showed it in that order. However, I actually did the filter first.

[@Bamacountry88]

Oh ok..thats how i will do it too...I appreciate it

[@DIYMyWay]

Actually, I don't think the order is that important so long as you don't start the engine in between steps.

[@PanditMusic]

I have an LA524. Would you recommend the same oil / filter for it?

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Lance! The LA524 is a front end loader that goes on a tractor and not a tractor, so it only needs grease in the zerks every 10 hours of use. Thanks for watching!

[@zzsdadYY]

Good video, two suggestions: 1. Drain it while warm, as more old oil will flow out. 2. Wear disposable gloves. Used engine oil is carcinogenic and your skin is your body's largest organ. Keep on tractoring!

[@gman100]

Hi, I have a 1990 l2250 and the manual says 6 quarts of oil, does this vary? Thanks a lot, great video.

[@DIYMyWay]

Yes, it varies depending on the model so always follow what the manual for your tractor says. Thanks for watching!

[@gman100]

@@DIYMyWay thanks for the reply.

[@Recoilaplenty]

My L4240 manual says to change the engine oil every 200 hours

[@DIYMyWay]

Yes, I find it interesting that the recommended maintenance intervals vary between Kubota tractor models, but I’ve seen it several times. You’d they’d be the same for most Diesel engines. Thanks for watching!

[@VQ38DD]

Never wait 400 hours to change oil period. Twice a season is best.