50hr service do it yourself???

[greenmule]

When I changed mine,did it on gravel[cause]. And had plenty o drain pans,two big ones,just couldn't get them switched in time,so,probably 1 gal at least went in ground,so,when you get ready to do this,garage might not be best place.

My owners manual for ck25,30,35 tractors is very good,and it tells you all you need to know. One thing though,there are two plugs on bottom rear beside rear tires,that you have to look for a little,but my manual showed them.

One other thing,the front axil holds a good bit more than manual says[0n ck 30 anyways] and it takes a long while for it to settle,you got to run it a min or two,than check,than repeat,than repeat,than next time you use it,it will be a little low,than next time you use it,it will be a little low,.In other words if you just drained my front axil and filled to middle of sight hole,than didn't check it again for a month or two,you would have probably been running it 2 qts low.

 

[IslandTractor]

I did my own 50hr on the DK40se. I used a large wheeled oil drain device I bought from Northern Tool. I cannot recall the exact amount of HST oil right now but it was pretty close to 10gallons.

One tip, don't limit your 50hr (or any other) service to changing fluids. Tighten bolts especially if you have a backhoe subframe and make a general inspection under the tractor. Inspect the radiator and clean the screen. Double check that you've hit all the grease zerks. There are a few tricky ones like near the 3pt, under the operator station and on the axle that are sometimes easy to forget when you grease routine loader/BH zerks.

Be careful when replacing the gear oil in the front axle as the oil redistributes and so you need to check it after operation to make sure you really have enough oil.

Also, make sure you have a couple of different types of filter wrenches. I found with the engine oil filter I had to use one of those fiber strap types with a socket wrench because I couldn't get enough leverage with the plier type. The hydraulic filters were easier and more accessible.

And, don't forget to check the timing and gap the spark plugs!

 

[PA hayseed]

I
One tip, don't limit your 50hr (or any other) service to changing fluids.

Tighten bolts

Double check that you've hit all the grease zerks. There are a few tricky ones like near the 3pt, under the operator station and on the axle that are sometimes easy to forget when you grease routine loader/BH zerks.

Be careful when replacing the gear oil in the front axle as the oil redistributes and so you need to check it after operation to make sure you really have enough oil.

Also, make sure you have a couple of different types of filter wrenches.

Very Good points IT! For FELS, check those bolts too!

I use a big feed bin from TSC for my fluid changes. It holds all the fluid for my 45 - oil, gear, hyrdo. Kinda hard to move afterwards, but not that hard.

I would also suggest a pump for the hyro fluid. In the 45 it was a PITA to get in the first time, I mistakenly thought a 2x4 platform and funnel with hose would do the trick. A pump is faster by far. You can buy an el cheapo from HF for about 25 bucks.

Also, just go to TSC or your local greasemart and just buy a case of grease. You will use it on the tractor and on the attachments, and it needs greased regularly, outside of the fluid intervals.

Buy a manual, eventually the tractor will not be under warranty.

 

[IslandTractor]

Buy a manual, eventually the tractor will not be under warranty.

Mine just arrived a week ago.

 

[Eagleview]

I did'nt read all the posts , so someone may have mentioned this . The 50 hour service is usually done by the dealer , it is not just a matter of changing the oils and filters . They do an inspection and give it the all clear . They are then lible for the warranty , if you do it and something goes wrong with the machine . The dealer does not have to warrant the repair , they may out of good will , but they don't really have too as they never had the chance to make sure it was still OK after 50 hours of operation .

 

[IslandTractor]

I did'nt read all the posts , so someone may have mentioned this . The 50 hour service is usually done by the dealer , it is not just a matter of changing the oils and filters . They do an inspection and give it the all clear . They are then lible for the warranty , if you do it and something goes wrong with the machine . The dealer does not have to warrant the repair , they may out of good will , but they don't really have too as they never had the chance to make sure it was still OK after 50 hours of operation .

That is true but some of us are too remote from the dealer to make the trip for what usually amounts to fluid changes and a check up. I had the opportunity to visit the dealer (without my tractor) and have the dealer and mechanic show me exactly what they do on a 50hr service. They even had my model up on a lift so I got to see all the bolts that needed checking etc. That tour plus a digital camera and a paper check list of what the dealer does made me pretty confident I could do the job. My dealer is also used to supporting customers by phone (amazing what you can do by using a cell phone while crawling around under your tractor).

Bottom line is that basic service on a tractor is not a mystery and not like tuning an old 12 cylinder Jaguar. It takes a while the first time as each step seems a big challenge but once you've been through the drill once it really isn't that big a deal. Worst part is figuring out what to do with all the used oil when you're done.

 

[greenmule]

Iron horse,you are wrong about that,never read anywhere on anything[truck,car or tractor warrenty papers] that dealer had to do it.

Now maybe your dealer told you that cause he wanted to charge you,but,that can't be right.

 

[VictorW]

My dealer said I could do my own 50 hour service. He just gave me a set of filters for free. Being that I have a fel, he said to check all the mounting bolts. That was it. As Greenmule advised, nothing in the manual/warranty info tells you that the 50 needs done by the dealer.

I have even done my own warranty work. I don't have a big enough trailer to haul my CK30hst. I'll explain or show the dealer what's wrong and he'll order the part. Luckily the only warranty work has been the hydro oil cooler and a valve on my bh.

Just like buying a new car, as long as you can show that you did the service as required, then you're ok for warranty aspects.

 

[IslandTractor]

Just like buying a new car, as long as you can show that you did the service as required, then you're ok for warranty aspects.

I think that was probably IronHorse's point. It is a no brainer to provide that documentation if the dealer did the service. If you do it yourself you should keep some record just in case there is any fussing about a subsequent warranty issue.

In my case, like yours, my dealer actually delivered all the supplies necessary for the 50hr service when he delivered the tractor. I also know that he'd go to bat with Kioti if there was any issue regarding something like whether the 50hr service was done properly.

 

[greenmule]

Didn't seem like his point to me,seemed his point was if dealer didn't do it your warrenty wouldn't be any good,what a crock.