Oil & Fuel 2305 - 50 Hr Oil Change

[johndeere_2210]

Adin,

Did you clean the suction screen on the transmission? Also, what synthetic oil did you use in the transmission?

 

[Lobo56]

Know what you mean when I did my first 50 hr service on my 2210, the engine and transmission filters were so tight, like they were welded on. The Trans filter I literally had to get under the tractor put my foot on the back tire to get the leverage to break it loss. The engine filter the wrench slipped and sliced the fuel line, had to fix that. My SnapOn filter wrench is bent to h_ll and it’s a well made wrench not a $6.99 wrench.

 

[ADin]

johndeere_2210,

I still haven't had time to do the transmission oil yet, only the engine oil (Mobil 1 10w-30). I've already bought the JD transmission oil, so I will likely not go synthetic in the transmission. Frankly, I didn't think too much regarding switching to synthetic in the transmission, but you have me wondering now.

I'd be interested in people's thoughts of also using synthetic in transmission versus only the engine. E.g. Does one or the other provide more bang for the buck? Also, are there any concerns regarding mixing of synthetic with remnants of the original still remaining in the FEL hydraulics? I'm assuming it's a fairly small amount relative to the almost 4 gallons in the tractor.

 

[johndeere_2210]

ADIN,

My neighbor and I have identical 2210's and last week he jumped on mine (he has been on it many times), but he made it a point to say "your machine allways seems to be more responsive". I'm on my second John Deere 2210 and switched both to AMSOIL full synthetic (~$90 5-gallon container) and I'm sold on the switch. Reason for mentioning the suction screen (you will see this in the manual), but it's very important to clean this and those metal shaving out (can be a bear to get out if you don't take the tube off above), so I was just warning you. In fact, this is something JDFANATIC and I chatted about this AM and he mentioned how much saving were in there at the 200-hour mark.

 

[megotatractor]

I use a "plumbers helper" channellock pliers to remove the old oil filter and have yet to find anything better.
I'm now at 250 hours. I would say changing the hydraulic oil should not be necesary at 50 hours BUT it is hard to change the filter and clean the screen without draining it all. You definitely need to do it though for the reason that the screen will catch a lot of metal fragments. I was shocked at how much metal filings were in my screen. Also, inside that screen are magnets which I found were covered in filings. Go ahead and change the hydraulic filter and clean the screen.

 

[bill177]

I use a narrow pipe wrench for problem filters. Never failed to work and you really don't need much space to use it in. It is 24" long - but goes where your hands will not fit.

 

[JDFANATIC]

As johndeere2210 mentioned, there were quite a few shavings in my suction screen at the 200 hr. service (I don't know how it was at the 50 since my dealer did this). When you do the suction screen servicing, don't even consider it without removing the three bolts of the return tube through the wheelwell first. It makes the servicing go like clockwork.

And then there is the BIG hint, be prepared for a gush of hydraulic fluid (like a garden hose with your finger over it) when you service this. With all those gallons of fluid above, there is a LOT of head pressure.

 

[megotatractor]

three bolts?? I just removed the one bolt from the suction screen cover and slid back the hose clamp on the return hose attached to it. I then rotated the fitting out of the hose and pulled out the suction screen no problem, it was pretty easy. The mistake I made was not checking for dirt on top of this piece before I removed it and there was an avalanche of dirt and debris into my transaxle. Once I cleaned everything it all went in just as easy as it came out. I inserted the screen and cover while rotating the fitting back into the hose. I did this in warm weather and the hose was pretty soft.
--As for the hydrostat filter, as typical mine was beat up from "accidents" with the mower during mount and dismount. It was on pretty solid but I had a large size steel band type oil filter wrench which torqued it right off.

 

[JDFANATIC]

mego,

The three bolts connect the metal tube to the top of the hydro unit that the hose slips over. You must be Houdini if you were able to get the hose off without taking this off first.

 

[ADin]

Thanks for the hints on the hydro oil gushing. Any thoughts on first manually pumping out 1/2 to 2/3rd of the oil before opening the flood gates? Would this work?