50 Hour Service Advice

[Omega Woods]

I just rolled over 50 hours on my 4520R and have obtained oil and hydraulic filters to do the 50-hour service. Any advice from anyone who does their own maintenance? Products you prefer? Things to consider or be aware of?

Thank you!

 

[davesl708]

Pretty straight forward. Just follow the recommended fluid type.

 

[JonnyRed]

My manual stated that there was a center drain plug on the front axle, there were only two (one on each end bottom)

Two 5 gallon buckets was perfect for draining the rear axle/hydraulic fluid and they slide under the tractor with a couple of inches to spare.

Be careful when removing the oil filter from the motor, I believe that the factory didn't lubricate the rubber gasket and mine required a lot of pressure to remove. So much pressure that I inadvertently rotated the oil cooler assembly counter clockwise a slight amount which caused me to have a small oil leak there after the job was done. I must have twisted an o-ring when the assembly moved.

Hope some of that helps.

 

[Omega Woods]

Thanks, Jonny. Just what I was looking for.

 

[coralhead]

When I did the service on my 4520r I used a funnel in the rear housing to put the oil in. I also had a plastic tube that I inserted through the funnel into the case to allow air inside to escape. Sort of like a tracheotomy(sp?) tube. Without it, it takes a long time to get the oil down the fill pipe.

 

[Omega Woods]

Thanks, Coral. Is that for the crankcase or the hydraulic fluid?

For hydraulic fluid, I use a one quart gear lube squeeze bottle which I fill with a funnel and squirt into the hole. That seems to work well for me without having to hold up a large container of hyd fluid. 10 gallons is going to get a little tedious, though!

 

[dickfoster]

Thanks, Coral. Is that for the crankcase or the hydraulic fluid?

For hydraulic fluid, I use a one quart gear lube squeeze bottle which I fill with a funnel and squirt into the hole. That seems to work well for me without having to hold up a large container of hyd fluid. 10 gallons is going to get a little tedious, though!

When I do my hydraulic oil I plan to use my drill pump. Cheap, effective and much faster than doing it by hand a quart at a time. Not as much effort as holding the 5 gallon bucket either. Just stick one tube in the bucket, stick the other in the fill hole and pull the trigger. I suppose I could also sit the bucket in the seat and siphon it in.

 

[Omega Woods]

I might try siphoning it. Thanks for the tip, Dick.

 

[dickfoster]

I might try siphoning it. Thanks for the tip, Dick.

Well if you siphon I'd use a squeeze bulb or one of those giggle to start siphons. I wouldn't wanna suck on the tube and take a chance of getting a mouth full of UTF. Yuk.

I'm trying to figure a way to suck the old oil out now. Maybe rig up something with a shop vac. My machine has a backhoe with a subframe which complicates getting under to access all the drain plugs. Mine has five or six drains. The engine had two drains. I did the front axle today and it had three. It seems that servicing tractors is a bit more intense than cars and trucks. Where is Jiffy Lube when you need them?

 

[Omega Woods]

Well, it's done. Three of the seals were painted on and deformed. The hydraulic filter had to be removed with a screwdriver punched through the side and was about 2.5 turns past where it should have been. Coral's advice on the oil filter was much needed and appreciated.

Do they let monkeys do the final assembly on these things? I didn't expect the fill cap for the front end to have a big, nasty paint glob under the seal.

If nothing leaks, it'll be a miracle. I'll get some replacement seals before I start next time. I just poured the UTF from a 2.5 gallon jug which isn't as easy as siphoning or drill pumping but doesn't require anything but a funnel.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

Used Wix 51334 for oil and 51202 for hydraulic filters. The oil was smaller in diameter but the sealing surface is the same size so it fits fine. The hydraulic filter is about an inch shorter which is actually good since I'll be able to get my filter wrench around it next time without interference.