Front Axle Fluid?

[gwdixon]

In Nova Scotia?

They think 60 degrees is hot in Nova Scotia. But any excuse for a beer is a good excuse.

 

[psvines]

I'll throw in my .02 worth on the subject of the low front axle fluid issue. I would bet that in most cases of the fluid being low, when checked by the owner, that the fluid was at the correct level during preinspection. Once the tractor is operated a few hours, the fluid settles in both housings. In my case, I checked my fluid the first time at 5 hours and it was a quart low.

Sounds reasonable. I checked mine yesterday (BX2660 new Sep '08, 80 hours now). First time I checked it, hardly registered on the dip stick. Added a quart, looks ok now.

This check should definitely be on the 50 hour check list, and not put off until the 400 hour check.

 

[gwdixon]

I think most manuals have you changing out the front axle fluid at 50 hours rather than just a check.

It is a simple and relatively inexpensive job so there no reason to wait until 400 hours.

 

[psvines]

My BX2660 manual states 400 hours for the first change. A generic Kubota check list from the online site states 300 hours for a change.
I'll be checking mine much more frequently; at least every season.

 

[bp fick]

I think most manuals have you changing out the front axle fluid at 50 hours rather than just a check.

It is a simple and relatively inexpensive job so there no reason to wait until 400 hours.

My BX2660 manual states 400 hours for the first change. A generic Kubota check list from the online site states 300 hours for a change.
I'll be checking mine much more frequently; at least every season.

Crazy, I know, but psvines is right. I dropped my front fluid at 5 hours, as per dealer's suggestion. Switched to 75w-90 and intend to change it again at 50. It's so affordable and since I am in 4wd almost 75% of the time, why in world would I wait until the manual's 400 hour mark?

I change the fluid (ATF) in my Ford truck manual trans every 3/36.
I personally am not comfortable with the BX manual's 400 hours. FWIW

 

[gwdixon]

The information that I have is that Kubota changed some of the sevice times for economic reasons rather than for mechanical ones. Even then, my M7040 has a change of both hydraulic and front axle fluid at 50 and then on a 600 hour cycle.

How about the recommendation to change the hydraulic filters at 300 hours and leave in the oil until 600 hours? And then the recommendation to change the engine oil at 300 hours and leave in the filter until 600 hours? (Both after the first change at 50 hours.) I'm not doing that. If the filter goes so does the oil and vice-versa.

400 hours is a long time for the first front axle change. Maybe it could go 400 hours after the 50 hour change. Make it 350 hours and then every 400 hours afterwards to keep things even.

To put it in perspective, 400 hours in a car at 60 mph is 24000 miles.

One could do a UOA if one was seriously concerned.

The price of oil is a lot cheaper than the price of parts. It has been said many ways.

 

[ray66v]

why in world would I wait until the manual's 400 hour mark?

Because good gear lube will last a very long time in that application, way beyond 400 hrs. If you really want to do something that will help make it last longer, a switch to synthetic will reduce wear.

 

[gwdixon]

Because good gear lube will last a very long time in that application, way beyond 400 hrs. If you really want to do something that will help make it last longer, a switch to synthetic will reduce wear.

Ah, yes. But the switch would require an oil change. So we are back to square one.

The idea of the 50 hour change is not because the oil is worn out but rather to remove the metal shavings and assembly debris that occur during break-in. There is no filter on the front axle to aid in the removal and isolation of the offending debris.

 

[bp fick]

Because good gear lube will last a very long time in that application, way beyond 400 hrs. If you really want to do something that will help make it last longer, a switch to synthetic will reduce wear.

75w-90 is semi synthetic and very affordable.

Ah, yes. But the switch would require an oil change. So we are back to square one.

The idea of the 50 hour change is not because the oil is worn out but rather to remove the metal shavings and assembly debris that occur during break-in. There is no filter on the front axle to aid in the removal and isolation of the offending debris.

ditto

 

[ray66v]

The idea of the 50 hour change is not because the oil is worn out but rather to remove the metal shavings and assembly debris that occur during break-in. There is no filter on the front axle to aid in the removal and isolation of the offending debris.

Correct. But, who asked that question?

You asked why in the world you should wait until 400hrs, and I offered you a reason.