Basic Oil change question

mrlullabye · Dec 28, 2009

I changed the oil on my Farmtrac 360 for the first time yesterday. I changed it just like a car, removed the plugs, while it was draining spun a new filter on, replaced the plugs, and refilled with Castrol HD diesel oil. Just like I would for a car.

I am curious though, since I will be picking up tractor maintenance as a new hobby. Is there any good site that has basic suggestions about filter/fluid changes?

I was sitting there thinking "I sure as **** hope there is no special oil priming procedure for tractors I never knew about" Someplace that might help me avoid those easy pitfalls.

Thomas · Dec 28, 2009

Oil filter,I like to rub oil gasket..better seal also easier to remove.

the bear · Dec 28, 2009

the only thing i can think of is dont change the fuel filter at the same time as you change the oil as it will and can rev up when you first start it thus takeing out the bearings. change the fuel filter only after you have started it and checked for leaks don

backdoor · Dec 28, 2009

My tractor has a fuel shut off knob to pull as I turn the key off, to stop the engine. I usually leave this knob in the off position as I crank on the starter for a few seconds after an oil change, till the oil pressure builds a little bit, then push the knob in and crank as usual.

JoelD · Dec 28, 2009

backdoor said:
My tractor has a fuel shut off knob to pull as I turn the key off, to stop the engine. I usually leave this knob in the off position as I crank on the starter for a few seconds after an oil change, till the oil pressure builds a little bit, then push the knob in and crank as usual.

Backdoor stole my thunder. I read here a while back that spinning the motor is a good thing to build up some oil pressure. I did not forget and I spin the motor with fuel off, particularly when it is cold out, to build a little pressure prior to starting.

The best place I've found for technical and maintenance advice is here on this forum.

Joel

Diamondpilot · Dec 28, 2009

Only other thing I do is fill the filter with oil prior to installing but your filter may not go on vertical like mine with the gasket up. I also do a good visual inspection on bolts, nuts, belts, hoses, ect. Check the sumps for proper level. My tractor is 4x4 so I have a front axle, main transmission, and hydraulic oil sump. My tractor does not have a common sump. I also check the air filter and change my injector pumps oil every other oil change. My tractors injector pump has it own oil sump for lube.

As for basic maintenance here is the schedule I follow:

Oil & Filter=50 hours
Injector Pump Oil=100 hours (every other oil change)
Air Filter=As needed
Hydraulic Filter=250 hours (every 5th oil change)
Fuel Filter=200 hours (every 4th oil change)
Hydraulic Oil=500 hours
Tranny Gear Oil and Front Axle=500 hours

Chris

dcyrilc · Dec 29, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
Only other thing I do is fill the filter with oil prior to installing but your filter may not go on vertical like mine with the gasket up. I also do a good visual inspection on bolts, nuts, belts, hoses, ect. Check the sumps for proper level. My tractor is 4x4 so I have a front axle, main transmission, and hydraulic oil sump. My tractor does not have a common sump. I also check the air filter and change my injector pumps oil every other oil change. My tractors injector pump has it own oil sump for lube.

As for basic maintenance here is the schedule I follow:

Oil & Filter=50 hours
Injector Pump Oil=100 hours (every other oil change)
Air Filter=As needed
Hydraulic Filter=250 hours (every 5th oil change)
Fuel Filter=200 hours (every 4th oil change)
Hydraulic Oil=500 hours
Tranny Gear Oil and Front Axle=500 hours

Chris

Do you do the hubs on the same schedule as the front axle?

banjodunn · Dec 29, 2009

G'day for those out there with FWA units we change the final drive (front hub ) oils with every eng oil change (not diff), however we work on 250 hr service schedule we also like to use an 80w90 gear oil instead of trans oil as most manufactures suggest and have not had any probs with some units now up around the 15k hr mark, was in one the other day just ticked over 12k to replace a seal that had been chewed out by a bit of wire and it looked like new

Jon

Diamondpilot · Dec 29, 2009

dcyrilc said:
Do you do the hubs on the same schedule as the front axle?

I am not sure what you are asking but maybe this will answer your question. My front axle has 3 drain plugs. One on the center section, pumpkin, and one out at each end of the axle at the hub area. It all filled from one location on top of the axle where the dip stick is. It uses 80W90 gear oil.

My tractor calls for 15W40 for the engine and injector pump. It calls for 80W90 for the front axle/hubs and transmission. And it calls for AW32 for the hydraulics.

So I guess the answer is yes.

Chris

dcyrilc · Dec 29, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
I am not sure what you are asking but maybe this will answer your question. My front axle has 3 drain plugs. One on the center section, pumpkin, and one out at each end of the axle at the hub area. It all filled from one location on top of the axle where the dip stick is. It uses 80W90 gear oil.

My tractor calls for 15W40 for the engine and injector pump. It calls for 80W90 for the front axle/hubs and transmission. And it calls for AW32 for the hydraulics.

So I guess the answer is yes.

Chris

Ahh... The hubs on my JD 2240 are seperate from the pumkin and have their own fills/drains. I didn't know any tractors had them connected where they would all fill from one point. Hence, my curiosity about the hubs.