Hi All,
Long time lurker for my 318, but recently picked up a 4100 and looking for some advice. Wanted to change all filters/fluids. Went to the dealer and picked up Low Viscosity Hy-Gard for the transmission. Asked for two gallon jugs of their 80W-90 as well because the manual states that GL-5 80W-90 is required for the front axle.
The fellow at the parts counter told me that the 5 gallon bucket of Hy-Gard I was getting could be used for everything so I could keep it simple.
I've been searching in an effort to verify that, but have had no luck. I've seen that on some of the new 1025's and such that what he said is the case.
My 4100 is a 1998 gear transmission. Probably over-thinking this, but wanted to start out on the right foot.
Thanks for any advice. Heck of a first post, I know. -tim
That's a nice tractor, and from the era when they were made to last a lifetime. That's originally a Yanmar design front axle, and when it first came out it was a major change in front drive design. Now that design is common to most front wheel assist tractors. I've followed that design with interest since the late 1970s.
I don't know about you, but I like to look into what the lubricant is supposed to be doing and compare that to dealer/mfg. recommendations.
That's an excellent axle design. And nobody has higher quality than Yanmar. I've never heard of a problem with that front axle due to any type of lubrication used. Problems come from overloading the front end with too much stress from the loader, or using the tractor in axle-deep water and then not changing the lube for years. Not from the type of lube.
Like any axle with a cantilevered output shaft that is loaded in one direction, the eventual fate of all that type axle is that it will seep oil at the output seal where the output shaft axle connects to the wheel. The rest of it is pretty bulletproof. Yours will leak or seep there too when it gets a few thousand hours on it.....particularly if it has a loader. When that happens, the 80/90 wt. will seep less. Until it does, the Hygard will do a better job of lubricating the moving parts inside - particularly in cold weather.
From Yanmar I've seen recommendations for using both a trans/hydraulic oil like HyGard or a 75 to 90wt. SAE gear lube - both of which have approximently the same base viscosity as a 30 wt. engine oil - although they have different additives than an engine oil since they don't have to deal with combustion. Apparently Yanmar themselves will oscillate on which is preferred. The Lo-Vis HyGard has a slightly lower viscosity that either, and that is an advantage in cold climates. Think of lo-vis Hygard as being somewhat akin to a multi-viscosity engine oil.
The guy at the counter is right. Because your transmission case is also your hydraulic reservoir sump, both that gear transmission and the hydraulic system use the same fluid. Not just the same type, but they share the fluid. Hygard is a premium (and expensive) lubricant that will work in tranny, hydraulics, and the front axle too. And if you think about it, that sharing of fluid is also an excellent reason to change the hydraulic filter fairly often as well. Once a year for the filter, and every 600 hrs for the fluid is a reasonable recommendation for Hygard. Either the lo or regular viscosity. Regular is fine, but use the lo vis if you do a lot of cold weather work like snowblowing.
good luck,
rScotty
