400 hr service on a L4060

Fastball714 · Feb 4, 2023

Has anyone done this service on their L4060? I'm a little worried about changing the hydraulic fluid. Dealing with 11 gallons has me concerned. It drains from 4 points and was wondering how much would flow from each drain. I didn't want to have oil all over the concrete because my container was too small.
Thanks for all input.

RjCorazza · Feb 5, 2023

Fastball714 said:
Has anyone done this service on their L4060? I'm a little worried about changing the hydraulic fluid. Dealing with 11 gallons has me concerned. It drains from 4 points and was wondering how much would flow from each drain. I didn't want to have oil all over the concrete because my container was too small.
Thanks for all input.

I did the 400h service a couple of years ago on my L4060 hst, and it's not difficult. The hst version drains from 3 points, so I presume your machine is a GST. I used a large Tupperware style plastic tub and drained from the transmission housing until the container was partially full, and still manageable. It's not a big deal to put that giant bolt back in to stop the flow. It took 2 drains of the main transmission.... Maybe 8 gallons? I didn't measure it though.
The differentials drain a lot less, and I did them into one tub.

It was really no big deal to drain. Refilling can be a drag, so rather than hoisting 5 gallon buckets, I filled a standard 1 gallon oil filling can and dumped it in one gallon at a time.

mikester · Feb 5, 2023

I use a 20 gallon screened oil tray on wheels. Low profile making it easier to get where you need it.

It has a drain valve making it easier to transfer waste oil back into the empty 5 gallon pails. I found this a lot less messy than juggling oil pans.

A LOT of fluid will come out the main drain and filters on my machine.

bdhsfz6 · Feb 5, 2023

I use a small electric oil pump. I stick the suction tube into the oil fill opening of my L6060 HSTC and pump it into empty 2.5 gal oil containers. I can usually fill 3 jugs this way and take them back to the dealer for recycling. I then remove the plugs and let the remaining oil drain into a shallow pan.

To avoid lifting the containers, I reverse the process and use the same pump to refill the tractor with new oil.

Relatively cheap 12V pumps are available such as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Portable-Transfer-Extractor-Scavenge/dp/B085Q5ZGFL/ref=sr_1_10?gclid=CjwKCAiAxP2eBhBiEiwA5puhNREyMsaPy0oIvoOPzvLBi4Hnc0qyAu3IeQumFMQSn8uS7VmbZsXl5hoCFR0QAvD_BwE&hvadid=410001592736&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9058761&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14006624606115127972&hvtargid=kwd-103009778&hydadcr=24658_11410762&keywords=electric+oil+pump&qid=1675601312&sr=8-10

It can take 10 minutes or so to pump that much oil but it saves time in the long run.

Fastball714 · Feb 5, 2023

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to change mine in my shop and save a few dollars. I have the hst model. I had watched a video on a smaller L model that had 4 bolts, but only 6 gallons.

JWR · Feb 6, 2023

You will hear many opinions but I see no reason at all to be changing the hydraulic fluid at 400 hours. Why ? Who says ? Many things suggested in owner's manuals make little sense. Some good, some "maybe" and some silly.

ljjhouser · Feb 6, 2023

Fastball714 said:
Has anyone done this service on their L4060? I'm a little worried about changing the hydraulic fluid. Dealing with 11 gallons has me concerned. It drains from 4 points and was wondering how much would flow from each drain. I didn't want to have oil all over the concrete because my container was too small.
Thanks for all input.

Assuming that the L4060 is about the same 400 hr as my L4701, engine oil changes also. Only one suggestion about the hydraulic oil. What to do with the old oil. I asked my dealer about that - he told me to just bring the old oil to the shop and they would take care of that. He also gave me two empty UDT buckets (with lids) to put the old oil into.

Pumping the oil out really does seem like a good idea.

I change all the fluids as recommended by the manual.

But, that said, JWR may be right. My oil is at 340 hours and it is crystal clear, difficult to even see on the stick. That and the price of 11 or 12 gallons of UDT will cost about $250. But still, cheaper that hydraulic repair issues.

ljjhouser · Feb 6, 2023

It looks like those pumps (most) on Amazon could be used to remove the Hydraulic oil then (after cleaning) be use to transfer diesel.

Fastball714 · Feb 6, 2023

I have one of those pumps that I used to transfer diesel at one time. I'm going to try it. I agree that it's expensive to change everything at 400 hours. I paid a lot for this tractor and want it to last a long time.
My local Parts store will take the hydraulic oil and any used oil.