Kubota KL engine oil and fluids: capacities and specifications
Which engine oil for your Kubota KL and how many liters does it take? Below are all the capacities and oil specifications from the factory manual, per model group. This way you'll never have to guess again when refilling or changing fluids.
Suitable for the entire KL series: KL21, KL23, KL25, KL27, KL30, KL33, KL36, KL43 and the H-variants KL28H, KL31H, KL34H, KL38H, KL41H, KL46H and KL50H.
Kubota KL fluid capacities per model
| Fluid | KL21–KL25 | KL27 | KL30/KL33 | KL36/KL43 | KL28H | KL31H/34H | KL38H/41H | KL46H/50H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel (diesel, L) | 27 | 35 | 40 | 40 | 35 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
| Coolant (L) | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 |
| Engine oil (L) | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 7.0 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 8.2* | 8.2 |
| Transmission/hydraulic oil (L) | 32 | 34 | 32 | 41 | 34 | 32 | 41 | 41 |
| Front axle oil (L) | 3.2 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
* The manual groups the engine oil capacity of the KL38H/41H with the 46H/50H group (8.2 L); if in doubt, always check with the dipstick. After removing the front axle, a larger fill quantity applies (4.0 L for the KL21, 5.5 L for the mid-range models) because oil remains in the gear housings during a normal fluid change.
Kubota KL engine oil: which specification?
The manual specifies Kubota engine oil D30 or D10W30 with API classification CC or CD. A modern 15W40 diesel engine oil with API CD rating or higher amply meets this requirement and is an excellent all-rounder for our climate zone. Important exception: the turbo versions KL36 and KL43 require at least CD quality ("Super CD" in Kubota terms) — CC-class oil is explicitly prohibited for these. For winter, Kubota recommends the thinner 10W30 variant; in freezing conditions, the engine noticeably starts more easily with it.
Kubota KL transmission and hydraulic oil: one oil for everything
Transmission, hydraulics, wet brakes, and the lift share a single oil system. Kubota specifies Super UDT (or Bio Super UDT) for this, and the front axle also requires the same specification. So never use regular gearbox oil (GL-5, etc.): it contains additives that can cause the wet brakes to grab or slip. A universal UTTO/STOU oil that meets the UDT specification is the right choice. With 32 to 41 liters per fluid change, it's worth ordering a 10-liter drum or larger.
Kubota KL coolant and lubrication points
The coolant (with antifreeze, replace every two years) should be changed together with a radiator flush. Also don't forget the lubrication points: the factory specifies chassis grease every 50 hours on the control levers and pedal shafts, the three-point lift, the hydraulic cylinder, and the battery terminals. It's precisely those pedal shafts that tend to rust stuck when stored outdoors — a stuck clutch pedal is almost always a lubrication issue, not a clutch problem.
Tip from Shop4trac: for the KL series we supply 15W40 engine oil (5L) and universal transmission/hydraulic oil (10L). When draining, immediately replace the copper sealing ring of the drain plug (SKU-410054) — for a few euros, never deal with a dripping oil pan again.
