3320 Unnecessary 50hr. Service

[Killer_B]

The manual says don't worry about the engine oil and filter for 200 hrs. and a heart stopping 400 hrs. for the hydro fluid and filter. But I'm old fashioned. I like the 50 hr. service, dang it. It's comforting, like mom's macaroni and cheese.

So I blow my $220.00 on 5 quarts of 15 W40, 8 Gal Low Viscosity Hy Gard, one JD oil filter and one gold plated, diamond crusted, pure unobtanium hydro filter. The hour meter reads 50.9. The tractor is warm. Time to rock.

I start by opening the hood. That wasn't so hard. I'm on a roll.

[Killer_B]

Next I drain all the hydro fluid into a couple of buckets. It looks clean and unremarkable. The hydro filter comes out easy enough. Not a speck on it that I can see. New filter in. Drain plug in. Nothing to this electrical work.

[Killer_B]

Time to tend to another "unnecessary" task. Remove, inspect and clean the in-line hydraulic filter. It comes off easy enough. Pull it apart. A few tiny shavings on the screen, barely visible. Clean, reinstall. Pour almost 7 gallons in the rear end. No leaks. Great.

Change engine oil and filter. Very straight forward. It was over almost before it started. Sort of like dating in high school.

[Killer_B]

Wow, things are moving right along. Last task is to drain and refill the front axle. Pull the center plug, fluid starts to drain through my hand into the pan. Wait a minute, what's this?

Holy crap. There are metal shavings running out all over my hand. It's my right hand. Can I use the camera with my left hand? Not really. But after a few tries, I get a good picture for my buddies on TBN.

This can't be good, can it?

The two outer plugs have no shavings behind them. Only the center plug. I wonder why? The plug itself is not stripped. Hmm. Any thoughts?

[RoyJackson]

Originally Posted by Killer_B

The two outer plugs have no shavings behind them. Only the center plug. I wonder why? The plug itself is not stripped. Hmm. Any thoughts?

Two questions...is the center plug the lowest? Does that center plug have a magnet?
Just 2 possibilities...

I'm really amazed your manual calls out 200 hours for the first oil change...but your manual does call out an annual oil change (if less then 200 hours).
It seems Deere isn't very consistent with the various model maintenance requirements...

[Killer_B]

Originally Posted by RoyJackson

Two questions...is the center plug the lowest? Does that center plug have a magnet?
Just 2 possibilities......

The center plug is actually the highest of the three. An no, it is not magnetic. That was my first thought as well.

[Skipholiday]

Nice looking machine~!

[sunnyside360]

Originally Posted by Killer_B

Wow, things are moving right along. Last task is to drain and refill the front axle. Pull the center plug, fluid starts to drain through my hand into the pan. Wait a minute, what's this?

Holy crap. There are metal shavings running out all over my hand. It's my right hand. Can I use the camera with my left hand? Not really. But after a few tries, I get a good picture for my buddies on TBN.

This can't be good, can it?

The two outer plugs have no shavings behind them. Only the center plug. I wonder why? The plug itself is not stripped. Hmm. Any thoughts?

Those metal fragments are drill filings from manufacturing process. This is exactly why it's not good to wait till 200 or 400 hrs to do the first service, ie, to minimize chance of damaging seals and bearings.
You gotta feel good about doing the service at 50 hrs. I know I had peace of mind after doing mine at 50 hrs a couple of mos ago.

[gunmaker]

Don't want to say that you might not have a problem, or concern. Looking at the metal in the photos, they remind me of the chips I get while turning something on the lathe. They don't appear to me to be the kind of debris I would expect from damaged gears, bearings or internals. Myself, I'd be inclined to throughly clean out the whole axle assembly, expect it carefully, and if no suspicous damage, wear, play exists, then re-assemble it with new seals and fluid. I would then service the axle again in another 10-20 hours, if no other symptoms appear, and judge then.
Saying that, and considering that she has only 50 hours on her, I think I'd be as inclined to show, but not give, the shavings to the dealer, and let them pull the axle apart for an inspection under warranty.
Either way, good luck...I'd love to hear how you make out, the 3320 is something of interest in my future. Craig

[Killer_B]

Gunmaker,

I really wasn't going to worry too much about it. I saved the shavings in a plastic baggy. I figure I've got 2.5 years left on the warrantee. Seems like if there was going to be a catastrophic failure it would happen by then?