ericm979
Super Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2016
- Messages
- 5,816
- Location
- Santa Cruz Mountains CA, Southern OR
- Tractor
- Branson 3725H Deere 5105
The front axle vent on my ~4 year old 3725 leaked whenever I parked on even a slight rightward side slope. The vent is on the right axle knuckle. On newer 20 series it's in the center of the axle like it should be and none of this applies. My axle vent looks like this:
When I complained to the dealer they sent me an extension they'd had made:
It worked much better but still wasn't enough. Not being machined quite right didid not help, but it was also not long enough for steeper side slopes. Yes I should not operate on side slopes but given the steepness of my land I kind of have to.
I replaced it with this:
It's a hydraulic swivel, some hose and a resvervior with a breather cap on it. I was worried that globs of gear oil would be pushed up the hose, so I put a reservoir on the end. I don't think it's needed. You could just run the tubing up a ways. I would not leave it open so I'm not sure how to terminate it. Maybe a short version of the reservoir with breather.
The cable tie on the axle was to make the swivel turn when I turn the steering wheel but the swivel loosened up almost immediately and it's not really needed. I intended to make a bracket that bolts on to the axle and holds the tubing but I'm not sure that's needed either. It's up to you.
Here's what I think is the parts list I ended up with. I went a different way on my first attempt trying to keep the BOM cost to a minimum but it had too many adapters. Unfortunately my notes are not complete. So check this parts list carefully before ordering. I know the metric adapter to the axle housing is right. It needs an O-ring which I already had.
DHH= Discount Hydraulic Hose
SC= Surplus Center
The axle hole is 20x1.5mm with a tapered seat O-ring.
M20x1.5 male x 3/8 NPTF female DHH 9235-20-06
3/8NPTF F to F SC 9-6508-6-6
live swivel 3/8NPTM to 3/8 NPTF SC 9-LV1501-6-6
3/8 ntpm to 3/8 hose SC 9-4404-6-6
3/8 clear vinyl hose
Reservoir:
SC 3/8 ntpm to 3/8 hose 9-4404-6-6
3/8 nptf to 3/4 sched 40 PVC
3/4 F PVC
PVC pipe
3/4 F PVC
3/4 NPTM breather SC 9-7957-12
When I complained to the dealer they sent me an extension they'd had made:
It worked much better but still wasn't enough. Not being machined quite right didid not help, but it was also not long enough for steeper side slopes. Yes I should not operate on side slopes but given the steepness of my land I kind of have to.
I replaced it with this:
It's a hydraulic swivel, some hose and a resvervior with a breather cap on it. I was worried that globs of gear oil would be pushed up the hose, so I put a reservoir on the end. I don't think it's needed. You could just run the tubing up a ways. I would not leave it open so I'm not sure how to terminate it. Maybe a short version of the reservoir with breather.
The cable tie on the axle was to make the swivel turn when I turn the steering wheel but the swivel loosened up almost immediately and it's not really needed. I intended to make a bracket that bolts on to the axle and holds the tubing but I'm not sure that's needed either. It's up to you.
Here's what I think is the parts list I ended up with. I went a different way on my first attempt trying to keep the BOM cost to a minimum but it had too many adapters. Unfortunately my notes are not complete. So check this parts list carefully before ordering. I know the metric adapter to the axle housing is right. It needs an O-ring which I already had.
DHH= Discount Hydraulic Hose
SC= Surplus Center
The axle hole is 20x1.5mm with a tapered seat O-ring.
M20x1.5 male x 3/8 NPTF female DHH 9235-20-06
3/8NPTF F to F SC 9-6508-6-6
live swivel 3/8NPTM to 3/8 NPTF SC 9-LV1501-6-6
3/8 ntpm to 3/8 hose SC 9-4404-6-6
3/8 clear vinyl hose
Reservoir:
SC 3/8 ntpm to 3/8 hose 9-4404-6-6
3/8 nptf to 3/4 sched 40 PVC
3/4 F PVC
PVC pipe
3/4 F PVC
3/4 NPTM breather SC 9-7957-12
