80w-90 Front Axle Gear Lube
- Thread starter bcs001
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The thing is, you get to pay the bill. GL5 oils can deteriorate brass / bronze gears. I've seen it in OPE gear boxes before. I really don't know whether or not it would be OK to use in your axle. More additives must make it better, right? My LS tractor manual recommends GL4. Branson has a service manual and I would assume a spec. The trick is getting someone to take the time to open the manual. I'm sure many just pour in an off the shelf gear oil and never take note of the differences. Are many of these axles built by a Korean axle manufacturer and sold to LS, Branson, etc. as an assembly?
So the funny thing is, manufactures may or may not use a regular gear oil when the tractor is built. You will hear Deere uses their Hygard, Kubota the UDT oil in the front axle as well. My LS oil I changed @ 200 hours and it was thinner than gear oil. It also would want to vent the oil if it was filled over half way on the safe zone of the dipstick. With the gear oil, I was going to err on the cautious side - but ended up filling it full, and no venting.
So whatever you choose, take the time to recheck the level. Then check it again after you use it as it takes a while for the level to settle in.
So the funny thing is, manufactures may or may not use a regular gear oil when the tractor is built. You will hear Deere uses their Hygard, Kubota the UDT oil in the front axle as well. My LS oil I changed @ 200 hours and it was thinner than gear oil. It also would want to vent the oil if it was filled over half way on the safe zone of the dipstick. With the gear oil, I was going to err on the cautious side - but ended up filling it full, and no venting.
So whatever you choose, take the time to recheck the level. Then check it again after you use it as it takes a while for the level to settle in.
ptsg
Super Member
The manual for my tractors says: Standard: TF500, Gear oil #90 equivalent goods
The TF500 is the transmission/hydraulic oil.
If it really made a difference between GL4 or GL5, I'm sure Branson would point that out and would even add the TF500 to the list either.
The TF500 is the transmission/hydraulic oil.
If it really made a difference between GL4 or GL5, I'm sure Branson would point that out and would even add the TF500 to the list either.
after a gear oil change in the ft axle, it's not unusual for the level to be slightly below fill mark after several hrs use. (even on a factory fill) takes time for the oil to settle, etc. so when you finally change it, just top off after several hrs use.
when i've changed the ft axle fluid @ 50 hrs on the new tractors i've owned, i definitely see the micro metallic flakes from the break in. so personally, i'd change @ 50 hr then follow scheduled maintenance
gear oil is quite cheap. new tractors are not
when i've changed the ft axle fluid @ 50 hrs on the new tractors i've owned, i definitely see the micro metallic flakes from the break in. so personally, i'd change @ 50 hr then follow scheduled maintenance
gear oil is quite cheap. new tractors are not
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tradosaurus
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Good for you on checking your gear oil level. Good reason to go over your tractor when delivered as mistakes happen.
When I get my new tractor within the week I'm going over all grease points (verify connections are tight and lubed), check tire pressures, fluid levels, and put a hand on any bolt or nut to make sure its not loose.
When I get my new tractor within the week I'm going over all grease points (verify connections are tight and lubed), check tire pressures, fluid levels, and put a hand on any bolt or nut to make sure its not loose.
All good info thanks. The free online Branson service manuals made available here by some members only cover up to 2015 and call out the TF500 fluid. Branson must have changed the design of the front axle and now uses SAE 80W-90 gear oil. Just to be sure, I will stop by the dealer and ask to see the service manual for my 2021 model and see what they specify.
ericm979
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- Branson 3725H Deere 5105
I think the recommendation changed from tractor fluid to gear oil after some failures. The axles and gears can see some serious loads, for example backing up a hill in 4wd with something heavy in the bucket or grapple. Tractor fluid's only advantage is that it's one fluid instead of two different ones.
