3525 Question

[MSWoodlot]

I purchased a Mahindra 3525 in February of this year, mainly for bush hogging, and it has performed satisfactorily on my 10-acre woodlot in south Miss., but I have a couple of questions.

I have just past 50 hours of operation on the Mahindra, and it's in need of the recommended filter-and-fluid change on the power steering (PS). I changed the engine oil and filter with no problem, but the owner's manual is not too specific about the power steering fluid. For example, in the Owner's Manual description for "Replacing the Power Steering Filter Element", the first step reads, "Drain the oil in the Power Steering System." Well, that's the problem–the Manual does not specify the best way to "drain the PS fluid". When I picked up the replacement PS filter at the Dealer, I inquired about the best technique for draining the PS reservoir, and was told to "just disconnect any tube below it". I thought someone on this discussion forum might have a more specific recommendation.

My other question concerns the replacement power steering fluid after the factory-fluid is drained. The Owner's Manual lists 6 alternative fluids that can be used in the PS system. If I drain only the PS reservoir to access the filter, will the residual factory fluid (HYD 46) left in the lines below the reservoir be compatible with any of the 6 recommended fluids, such as "Chevron ATF Dexron III"? I apologize for my ignorance in these matters.

I would like to thank you in advance for your advice and suggestions.

 

[Travis_R]

I use Automatic Transmission Fluid Dexron III (says it on the back of the bottle) in my 97' 485 DI. I don't know the "proper" way to drain it though. Couldn't you just disconnect the lines from your power steering booster cylinder (down by the front wheels)?

I just got my booster cylinder re-built on my tractor. When I took the lines off, the oil drained out of the reservoir.


Personally, I wouldn't worry about the PS fluid though. I wouldn't mess with the fluid unless you have a PS problem. I would just take the filter out and clean it, IF its the screen type.

I would add oil when/if it needed it but I wouldn't ever change it. Thats my dealer's advice also.

Travis R

 

[MSWoodlot]

Thanks for your input Travis_R.

The way the 3525 is designed, the power steering reservoir must be drained to access the PS filter. I was hoping there was an easy way to drain the PS reservoir. I agree, it would have been a better design if the PS filter could be changed without draining fluid.

Why bother? Well, my thought is that the 3-year warranty will stay in effect as long as I perform recommended maintainence.


The Mahindra dealer I spoke to said that changing the PS fluid was generally needed only if it turned milky. So, our dealers seem to be in agreement. I just wasn't sure if adding over-the-counter ATF fluid to refill only the PS reservoir would be compatible with the factory-installed PS fluid.

MSWoodlot

 

[TroyBoy]

I guess I'm slipping. I have 215 hours on my 3525, but haven't changed the PS fluid. I have changed the oil, oil filter, and fuel filters. That was a pretty easy job. I'd be interested to know how it turns out, as I guess I will need to change mine also. Thanks!

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Thanks for your input Travis_R.

The way the 3525 is designed, the power steering reservoir must be drained to access the PS filter. I was hoping there was an easy way to drain the PS reservoir. I agree, it would have been a better design if the PS filter could be changed without draining fluid.

Why bother? Well, my thought is that the 3-year warranty will stay in effect as long as I perform recommended maintainence.


The Mahindra dealer I spoke to said that changing the PS fluid was generally needed only if it turned milky. So, our dealers seem to be in agreement. I just wasn't sure if adding over-the-counter ATF fluid to refill only the PS reservoir would be compatible with the factory-installed PS fluid.

MSWoodlot

MsWoodlot
I have seen others mix the ATF with the original Power steering fluid and had no ill effects. So I guess it can be done. Good luck with it.

Galen LaWall
Your Mahindra Tractor Dealer
Batavia NY 14020
585-343-0770

 

[MSWoodlot]

Thanks Galen,
Good to know that others have mixed off-the-shelf ATF with factory-installed PS fluid on Mahindra tractors. It would certainly be much easier to drain only the PS reservoir on the 3525, change the PS filter, then refill the reservoir as compared to draining all the PS fluid and having to bleed air from the PS system.

If Mahindra is going to specify a PS filter change at 50 hours, seems to me they would have more satisfied customers if they added a drain plug on the PS cylinder behind the front axle of the 3525.

MSWoodlot

 

[BobG_in_VA]

MsWoodlot
I have seen others mix the ATF with the original Power steering fluid and had no ill effects. So I guess it can be done. Good luck with it.

Galen LaWall
Your Mahindra Tractor Dealer
Batavia NY 14020
585-343-0770

Galen, don't mean to hijack the thread but is the same true for the 6000? I noted in the Service Manual they call out about 4 or 5 PS fluids, none of which I've ever heard of or seen on the shelf. Can Dexron V suffice here as well? BobG in VA

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Bob
I have had a customer of mine using dextron and mixing it with the original and it seems to have had no effect.

Galen