Clean your transmission strainer!!!!!

Goreef · Aug 28, 2016

Just a heads up. I was trying to decide if i was going to clean my transmission strainer when i done the 50 hour service.I read a bunch of post about the subject with about a 50/50 split of people saying yes its important to do while others said that the dealer told them it could wait till the 1000 hour service. So i came to the conclusion that the engineers at Mahindra put this in the manual for a reason and Boy were they right. I found alot teflon tape stuck in the strainer along with metal flakes. So dont be lazy its only an extra 30 minutes to protect you machine.

CalG · Aug 28, 2016

Goreef said:
Just a heads up. I was trying to decide if i was going to clean my transmission strainer when i done the 50 hour service.I read a bunch of post about the subject with about a 50/50 split of people saying yes its important to do while others said that the dealer told them it could wait till the 1000 hour service. So i came to the conclusion that the engineers at Mahindra put this in the manual for a reason and Boy were they right. I found alot teflon tape stuck in the strainer along with metal flakes. So dont be lazy its only an extra 30 minutes to protect you machine.

If the debris is truly "caught" in the strainer, it matters not if they are subsequently removed from the tractor by cleaning the strainer. (As long as fluid flow is not obstructed significantly)

It's the little bits that"get away" that are the concern. I like to add magnets to everything. ;-)

DavesTractor · Aug 29, 2016

Goreef said:
Just a heads up. I was trying to decide if i was going to clean my transmission strainer when i done the 50 hour service.I read a bunch of post about the subject with about a 50/50 split of people saying yes its important to do while others said that the dealer told them it could wait till the 1000 hour service. So i came to the conclusion that the engineers at Mahindra put this in the manual for a reason and Boy were they right. I found alot teflon tape stuck in the strainer along with metal flakes. So dont be lazy its only an extra 30 minutes to protect you machine.

That is why we never recommend Teflon tape on hydraulic fittings. Unless it is done with the upmost care, some of it gets into the system and can cause a lot of grief if caught in a relief or spool valve.

Good for you for checking the strainer.

Rdr202 · Aug 29, 2016

When I did my 50 hour service the plugs were way over coated with Teflon tape from the factory. At first I thought it was pipe dope but it came off in long strands so it had to be tape.

Wagtail · Aug 29, 2016

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

It's always a good thing to follow your owners manual recommendations & good on'ya for reading yours. I won't bad-mouth Mahindra (we try not to do that regarding any colour tractor, here on TBN), however I've read here that the 'translation' from Hindi to English can be, um, interesting.

My first Hydraulic change (fluid & filter) was at 400hrs. Only a few flecks of metal in the filter, but the rig now runs just a wee bit better for having done it.

Goreef · Aug 30, 2016

Yes I did notice the pump and gear train seem to be less noisy after the fluid and filter change

DavesTractor · Aug 30, 2016

Rdr202 said:
When I did my 50 hour service the plugs were way over coated with Teflon tape from the factory. At first I thought it was pipe dope but it came off in long strands so it had to be tape.

I think that is unacceptable, honestly. They are asking for problems.

dickfoster · Aug 30, 2016

DavesTractor said:
I think that is unacceptable, honestly. They are asking for problems.

I've been a believer and user of teflon paste for some years now. It works better and the best part is it's good to use for just about anything water, oil, gas, etc. etc. while with tape you have to get the right kind for the job you're doing. Paste just works and seals better too.

Mike Gibson · Sep 3, 2016

I've used Tru-Blu for years with great success. It is quick drying and remains flexible unlike a lot of the thread sealants sold. It also contains Teflon for ease of assembly. Here is a link to show what it is. I always buy the small tube as the can will dry up long before you ever use it all.

RectorSeal(R) Tru-Blu™ - RectorSeal

As an aside I worked on hydraulic governors on hydro generators and if someone saw you near the governor with Teflon tape you'd be run out of the powerhouse. Here is a picture of the rotor. These units were fairly large. The rotor alone weighed 575 tons.