Rotary Cutter Easier way to change gear box oil

[two4spooky]

I have learned so much from this site I wanted to share, maybe help in some small way. The issue I had seems to be fairly common; water mixed with the gear box oil. The difficulty is the gear boxes do not have a drian plug, mine only has the breather/dip stick and check level plug. To drain the gear box I needed to either a) lift the cutter on it's side to have the check level plug down (not ideal as the mower weights 1100 lbs) or b) suck the oil out (90wt is bit thick). My helper and I decided "b" sounded a bit safer. I do not have a pump(added to the want list) that would work but I did have some tubing and a rubber sqeeze bulb for adding water to batteries. I learned it takes a LONG time using the bulb to suck 90wt. from a gear box. Even with the cutter deck blocked up on the off side and the oil thinned with water the milky fluid is too thick. Did I mention it takes a long, long time with the bulb? The effort saver was to use the tubing to siphon the oil to a container at a lower lever. Get it started flowing then go fix a cup of coffee while gravity does the rest. :thumbsup: So after draining and refilling the gear box oil four times I learned: 1) start with deisel fuel(THANKS Soundguy!) to wash out the box, 2) use motor oil next -thinner than gear oil and I had a bit on the shelf, 3) if you do not have a small drill pump use gravity to siphon the oil out. Anywho...TBN'ers probably already knew all this but for me it was new. A couple of pics of my mess and my helper

 

[Sackett2]

Vacula 12-016-1000 DX 2.5 Brake Bleeder / Fluid Evacuator

A bit spendy, but can be used on any fluids, just the gear oil is a bit slower.

 

[Wolfy]

I have 2 hound/helpers, quite dependable. I think a drill mounted pump might work on gear oil.

 

[Hughman]

I just used this one to transfer 8gal of hydro fluid. I haven't tried it on thicker gear oil yet but for $6, it might be worth a try. You can either pump the entire contents or use it to start a siphon if the drain bucket is lower than the gear box.

Multi-Use Transfer Pump

 

[clemsonfor]

I would have used a chain and the FEL to flip it over myself. put some wood stumps or jackstands under it and pull the plugs. Seems much easier to me.

 

[SandburRanch]

I would have used a chain and the FEL to flip it over myself. put some wood stumps or jackstands under it and pull the plugs. Seems much easier to me.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
You would miss out on the cup of coffee.:laughing: And sometimes good things take just a little longer.

 

[RiZak]

I always had beter luck with a drill, a drill bit and a 3/8 npt tap. The very first time I need to change oil in one gearbox I chose the best spot to drill a hole and install a short nipple with a cap. No need to worry about metal going in the casing since I will be able to deep clean the gearbox. I use to stick a magnet on the cap but for the last couple years I prefer installing a nipple to minimise the spill. Once empty and cleaned with fuel I insert a magnet in to pick up any possible piece of metal in the bottom of the casing. It usually take less than 15 minutes to completely clean a gearbox. Wich is about the time between starting the coffee pot and having it ready to drink with clean hands and no unbalanced load getting ready to crush me.

 

[two4spooky]

For the few times I need the pump I think this would be good and there is a HF close to work. Off to HF tomorrow!

I just used this one to transfer 8gal of hydro fluid. I haven't tried it on thicker gear oil yet but for $6, it might be worth a try. You can either pump the entire contents or use it to start a siphon if the drain bucket is lower than the gear box.

Multi-Use Transfer Pump

 

[two4spooky]

The problem is needing to get the cutter close to 90 degrees vertical. My helper is not too smooth on the loader controls. :laughing: Plus I ran the cutter in between refills which really helped get the water out. Mount, hook up PTO, unhook PTO, unmount and repeat would be "a little too much sugar for a nickle".

I would have used a chain and the FEL to flip it over myself. put some wood stumps or jackstands under it and pull the plugs. Seems much easier to me.

 

[two4spooky]

This would be ideal. I can not for the life of me figure out why these gear boxes do not have a drain plug. It seems changing the oil would be a regular maintence item, especially since the box is vented. I may feel brave this week end and follow your lead. Great idea RiZak!

I always had beter luck with a drill, a drill bit and a 3/8 npt tap.