Venting the front axle on CUTs(with pics)

[Rob-D]

From Rob's first post,

Looks good Rob:thumbsup:

I like the filter media as a breather too.

Thanks Steve.

 

[nmu98]

Vince,
The problem is that we know it's pushing oil out the seals so it's moot. Let's say we find out it's 12 lbs. of pressure, now what do we do? Now let's say that after another hour it builds to 18 lbs. What changes? Put a pressure gauge on the dash and run down and crack the dipstick if the pressure goes over a specific point?

What I might do is send an email off to Deere technical and ask them why they don't vent the box because it's more to me than just losing fluid it's sucking in dirt as the air in the axle contracts. And I'll tell you something, the first time I opened the dipstick, after running the tractor a few hours, I was shocked at how much pressure built up and escaped.

Did you ever read a manual that says "danger, do not overfill". That's because it causes all kinds of problems.

Rob

Rob, we are just discussing this.

A pressure guage would tell us if we get to 12 or 18 pounds. The only proof I see that the pressure is making the seals leak is you and a few others saying so. I know older tractors had an issue with seals, but do the new ones?

To me, if i think there is a problem, I track it down, find out if what I think really is the problem is correct, then solve it.

IMHO, you found a problem on older tractors, made a simple solution for your new tractor.

To Me, this discussion is all about tracking the problem down and seeing if our hypothesis is correct that oil and air expansion is creating so much pressure that the seals cannot handle it and oil leaks.

Maybe it should be a separate thread. The last thing AI am trying to do here is make you mad so you don't participate. You are helping the discussion and adding another view to it.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I'm still in the "is there really even a problem" camp.....Yes its been documented there is a problem on the 4000, 4100, 4200 etc... machines...but nobody has come on here saying their 3x20 or 4x20 is having seal problems.
Its been documented that JD has revised the front axle along the way in each new generation machine...Given the amount of people (factor in some of the internet fish tale syndrome) I'm thinking JD must have heard about it and these newer axles have been updated & fixed to correct this issue.

Continue what you guys are doing :thumbsup:...I'm sittin here on the sidelines watching with much interest...

Anybody have an "older" 4200/4300 etc? Reason I ask is for grins I went to JD's site to read the manuals...
Noticed a SN Break...only the "newer" one had its Manual online for viewing...So I went to JDParts.com and also see 4 different front axles for the 4300...All sub over to 2 PN's....Makes me scratch my head...I really do trust my dealer, they havent wronged me yet...very knowledgable people....so the more I look at it, the more I'm thinking they were right when they were telling me some machines took 80w90 and some take HyGard...seeing all the breaks & various housings on the 4300 makes me think JD Engineering did more then just specify a shorter dipstick...

When I go look at the 3520...only 1 front axle.

 

[Rob-D]

Rob, we are just discussing this.

A pressure guage would tell us if we get to 12 or 18 pounds. The only proof I see that the pressure is making the seals leak is you and a few others saying so. I know older tractors had an issue with seals, but do the new ones?

To me, if i think there is a problem, I track it down, find out if what I think really is the problem is correct, then solve it.

IMHO, you found a problem on older tractors, made a simple solution for your new tractor.

To Me, this discussion is all about tracking the problem down and seeing if our hypothesis is correct that oil and air expansion is creating so much pressure that the seals cannot handle it and oil leaks.

Maybe it should be a separate thread. The last thing AI am trying to do here is make you mad so you don't participate. You are helping the discussion and adding another view to it.

Not mad at all, sorry if I came over that way. I never get angry, sarcastic... well I like to call it irony.

On my last tractor (2720) the guy who got it complained to the dealer that the case was dry. It was a 2009 with 105 hours on it and I had checked it once or twice. My friend came over one day and complained that her 990 was "squeaking up front", I put a quart of oil in the box. Some thing is pushing the oil out. Is it just weeping past the seals? Not likely, when I opened my 3320 front dipstick there was pressure. I think pressure in a box is not necessarily a good thing. That's why I modded the plug.

Rob

 

[Rob-D]

I'm still in the "is there really even a problem" camp.....Yes its been documented there is a problem on the 4000, 4100, 4200 etc... machines...but nobody has come on here saying their 3x20 or 4x20 is having seal problems.
Its been documented that JD has revised the front axle along the way in each new generation machine...Given the amount of people (factor in some of the internet fish tale syndrome) I'm thinking JD must have heard about it and these newer axles have been updated & fixed to correct this issue.

Continue what you guys are doing :thumbsup:...I'm sittin here on the sidelines watching with much interest...

Anybody have an "older" 4200/4300 etc? Reason I ask is for grins I went to JD's site to read the manuals...
Noticed a SN Break...only the "newer" one had its Manual online for viewing...So I went to JDParts.com and also see 4 different front axles for the 4300...All sub over to 2 PN's....Makes me scratch my head...I really do trust my dealer, they havent wronged me yet...very knowledgable people....so the more I look at it, the more I'm thinking they were right when they were telling me some machines took 80w90 and some take HyGard...seeing all the breaks & various housings on the 4300 makes me think JD Engineering did more then just specify a shorter dipstick...

When I go look at the 3520...only 1 front axle.

Dave, do you have pressure in the front axle?

 

[Rob-D]

The oil grade switch is an interesting thing. On my 2006, 2320 it ran 85-90 gear oil. It blind sided me and I put 85-90 gear oil in the new 3320 when it was low, not much maybe a couple of pints so it will be fine until my 50 hour change. But when I got the tractor the oil was halfway up the dipstick and when I checked it after a few hours it was off the stick and didn't register. So those of you with 3x20 series tractors are you seeing your oil drop?

Rob

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Dave, do you have pressure in the front axle?

Depends...I've checked it before and heard no "air noise"...also have checked it at times and its made the "Pffftttt" noise of air excaping.

The oil grade switch is an interesting thing. On my 2006, 2320 it ran 85-90 gear oil. It blind sided me and I put 85-90 gear oil in the new 3320 when it was low, not much maybe a couple of pints so it will be fine until my 50 hour change. But when I got the tractor the oil was halfway up the dipstick and when I checked it after a few hours it was off the stick and didn't register. So those of you with 3x20 series tractors are you seeing your oil drop?

I've had my 3520 for 3 years now....never had to add a drop. I did change the oil at 100 hours and even since then its been fine. I check it every now and then and she holds steady.
Even a single drop of oil would make a huge mess on the spindle when it collects dust...so it should be fairly easy to spot a leak...

 

[Rob-D]

Depends...I've checked it before and heard no "air noise"...also have checked it at times and its made the "Pffftttt" noise of air excaping.



I've had my 3520 for 3 years now....never had to add a drop. I did change the oil at 100 hours and even since then its been fine. I check it every now and then and she holds steady.
Even a single drop of oil would make a huge mess on the spindle when it collects dust...so it should be fairly easy to spot a leak...

Interesting, Maybe I'll run the plug a little longer without the vent to see what happens. The nagging thing is my 2720 was low. I don't see Deere stating to change the front axle oil, although, like you I do. I also add magnets to the drain plugs, an old racing trick that Deere now uses in its hydro filter.


Rob

 

[Egon]

[What's your point??/QUOTE]

Just answering your query!:thumbsup:

 

[sunnyside360]

....... So those of you with 3x20 series tractors are you seeing your oil drop?

Rob

My 3720 front axle oil was a llittle low when delivered so I added to FULL mark. I do check the level about once a month and it's been fine for about 3 yrs now. There is a puff of air often times when removing the cap. Also, there are no "wet" areas around the front axles.

Should mention that I did drain and replace the axle oil at 50 hrs.