50-hour service question.

Uncle Hulka · Jan 3, 2017

This past week I performed the 50-hour service on my 2555HST. Everything went smoothly with one exception. My owners manual states that the front axle gear oil should be changed during this service. The manual says to use either #80 or #90 gear oil. I tried 4 different places (including Tractor Supply Company) and none of them had any. They all said that multi-viscosity gear oil would work fine. I would prefer to use the recommended oils/fluids ESPECIALLY for a tractor under warranty.

I can't be the only person facing this problem. Should I keep trying to locate the #80 or #90, or should I go ahead and use the commonly available multi-grade?

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

JerryK · Jan 3, 2017

Most of what they sell now days is SAE 80w-90 gear oil, and that is what you need. That is what TSC sells... Some tractors call for hydraulic transmission oil in the front gears, but I would [ and do ]use the 80w-90. You have to remember that what the manual recommends is usually something the factory or dealers buy/install in large drums . Like engine oils, hyd /transmission common sump fluids/gear oils/coolant/etc that are bought in large quantities and not by the quart or gallon that us folks buy at local stores. Some of those fluids are only sold in large quantities, so you just have to find something local that meets the same quality grade and what they call for.

RNeumann · Jan 3, 2017

I have the 1538 and dealer specifically said because of my cooler climate in the North West Mahindra and he recommended I switch to Hydraulic fluid in the front axle. If you go with gear oil the 80-90w is fine. That axle lives an easy life from a lubrication standpoint....I'm not saying from a load or abuse standpoint.

Uncle Hulka · Jan 3, 2017

That all makes perfect sense to me. I'm not so much concerned about using a multi-grade gear oil as I am about whether or not this could potentially cause me problems in the event of a potential warranty issue. If a dealer like Dave's Tractor could share their thoughts on this, that would help a great deal. It's not that I don't trust the opinions expressed thus far. especially since they echo my own opinions perfectly. It's just that I would like to hear the opinion of a dealer as well as members of the community here.

Thanks, JerryK and RNeumann, for sharing your thoughts on this.

dickfoster · Jan 4, 2017

Uncle Hulka said:
This past week I performed the 50-hour service on my 2555HST. Everything went smoothly with one exception. My owners manual states that the front axle gear oil should be changed during this service. The manual says to use either #80 or #90 gear oil. I tried 4 different places (including Tractor Supply Company) and none of them had any. They all said that multi-viscosity gear oil would work fine. I would prefer to use the recommended oils/fluids ESPECIALLY for a tractor under warranty.

I can't be the only person facing this problem. Should I keep trying to locate the #80 or #90, or should I go ahead and use the commonly available multi-grade?

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

Multi viscosity works fine. For my tractor the Operator's manual calls for hydraulic fluid in the front axle while the service manual says gear lube. I put multi viscosity gear lube in mine because I've done a bit of gear box work and think it's better for gears. In fact I use my own synthetic blend of a mostly 75-90 and some heavier weight and very slick Redline Shockproof. It's not cheap but I know it works because I'm really tough on diff gears in my rock crawler.

The Deerslayer · Jan 4, 2017

JerryK said:
Most of what they sell now days is SAE 80w-90 gear oil, and that is what you need. That is what TSC sells... Some tractors call for hydraulic transmission oil in the front gears, but I would [ and do ]use the 80w-90. You have to remember that what the manual recommends is usually something the factory or dealers buy/install in large drums . Like engine oils, hyd /transmission common sump fluids/gear oils/coolant/etc that are bought in large quantities and not by the quart or gallon that us folks buy at local stores. Some of those fluids are only sold in large quantities, so you just have to find something local that meets the same quality grade and what they call for.

Agreed. You can also pick it up at Walmart.