Break in time

Caretaker · Feb 23, 2001

RE: Fluid changes

Having been a Design Engineer, let me throw out some thoughts . . .

The people who design the machines do a lot of testing and evaluating to come up with appropriate time tables for changing fluids. And, if you used your machine under the same circumstances, you could follow that timetable, and be pretty well assured that the machine would work for it's designed life...

But the problem is that we all use them differently. F'r instance, if you live in SE Arizona, you are operating in a dusty environment, no matter what you think. If you live up in New England, you experience a lot of cold temps - and you're in a humid environment, no matter what you think. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

So the problem is that there isn't a practical "one rule fits all" that you can apply - and so we hear different stories about how we should do this and that. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

If I were to try to come up with something universal, I'd say first and foremost to follow the manufacturer's advice. Then, assuming that it does not conflict with the manufacturer's advice, follow your local service person's advice. Last, I'd say that it never hurts to change more often than recommended - it may cost more, but it will NOT be deleterious to the machine, and it WILL PROBABLY improve the lifetime performance. Furthermore, if changing more often lowers your "worry quotient", then it's been worth it just for that./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

"Blessed are those who bring forth marvelous inventions through insight, the strict application of scientific principles, and the necessary fudge factor - for they shall be known as Engineers"

Dave

DFB · Feb 23, 2001

Gary,

You bring up a good point with the differences in the stated oil capacities. Deere does have the amount of engine oil listed in the TM as 2.3 quart but they sure do have a different figure (typo?) in the operator's manual, 2.8 quart.(at least in the one that came with my tractor) Makes one wonder if it's still being published that way or if it's been changed. Never saw the larger filter but it would be interesting to know if it held the difference of .5 quarts./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

For the record the fluid capacities listed for the HST sump are the same in both manuals. 12.5 liter or 3.3 gal. Whew!
I'd be interested to know if you feel your HST fluid change shows anything out of the ordinary.

Glad to hear of your satisfaction with your JD4100.

DFB

LazyK · Feb 24, 2001

Dave, was it not the Engineers who had the three tires stacked one atop the other in the "how to build a swing out of tires" cartoon? (I'm just envious of good engineering success vs. the Kelly Method of having it work and still having all fingers attached!)

Lazy K - Chip

Caretaker · Feb 24, 2001

Lazyk,
/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

You're right, it was! /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Of course, you need to realize, the first thing you learn in engineering is that there are no mistakes - only learning opportunities! The second thing you learn is that not enough fudge factor causes most learning opportunities.../w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

"Every day, no matter how hard I try, I end up learning something - and all most of it does is teach me humility..."

Dave Wells

LazyK · Feb 24, 2001

You are obviously a gentleman with a keen sense of humor! If I might add the wisdom of my dearly departed Mother..."The hurry'er I go, The behind'er I get! Remember, Son, sometimes it's better to leave it lay where fate hath flang it."

Following her admonishions, I go unto my 55th year of an inspired life with all my fingers still attached and with the knowledge that they haven't been able to fix the cross-hairs on me yet!

Lazy K - Chip

Wheeldog · Feb 24, 2001

One of my favorite engineer-isms:

Measure it with a micrometer
Mark it with a crayon
Cut it with a chainsaw

A little off-topic, but always a good reminder to myself not to get too lost in the details in my work or otherwise.

kerr · Feb 24, 2001

Deleterious??!?,Do ya eat a deleterious,or do ya pull it with the draw bar?

kerr · Feb 25, 2001

Must be a need ta know thing rite?You would have ta kill me thing.Deleterious?

DFB · Feb 25, 2001

Hey amigo, I can offer some synonyms from my thesaurus.

Destructive, damaging, detrimental, hurtful, harmful, injurious.

Ya think he would of said so in the first place./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

DFB