Bridge 4's 2638 HST CAB B.S. and ?? Thread

[bridge4]

Focal Speaker Instal

Todays project was to upgrade the speakers. The ones in there weren't bad, but I wanted to see how an upgrade would do. Process was pretty straight forward, I cut the old connector that wouldn't line up with the new speakers and then connect the wire to the new connector pieces, and plugged it in! Some crimping and electrical tape were involved as well, but nothing too crazy.

Speakers are a big improvement and from my past dealings with Focals, they will only sound better with time. Be fun if there was space for a sub to be hidden behind the seat, but we all know how small these cabs are! I did not replace the head unit, it is actually way more advanced and capable than I would have thought a tractor would have. Ipod connect, spotify, pandora, usb etc.... Handles the new speakers just fine. Will have to figure out how to play with sound settings a little on it though.


Stock speakers, honestly, I pulled worse out of my tacoma and 4 runner. They aren't really that bad of a speaker.



New speakers. Grills that come with them wouldn't fit, will have to be a little careful. With the tweeter sticking out so far I was hesitant to cram the old one on either. I think will be fine exposed since they are on roof.





There ya are!


I ordered a rooftop 360 LED light for winter plowing work, it plugs into cig outlet and is magnetic. I will post some pics and night shots once it comes in and I get it on, probably early next week.

 

[bridge4]

Hit 21 hours today. Have used it the last 3/4 hours dragging logs, lifting logs, and running in some deep mud.


I love this tractor.

Now I know someone else with a new open station 16something and they had their loader **** the bed, but I haven't had any issues except some sticky shifting at times *knocks on ALL the wood* I have ended up using it in a few ways I wouldn't have thought, like moving a 800 lb safe, building bridges and I'm sure one or two other things and I've been really happy every time I use it.

It was also nice to work the tractor like I was and with the new oil and coolant, never even hit 1/2 way on the temp gauge, it stays steady around 40% no matter what I have been doing. Very happy with these results as you get so much mixed advice, and I have never owned a tractor before.

I have a LP SB1064 and a SPL72 (snowblower and front snow push box) on order a few weeks ago, and am hoping those are ready for pick up when I get back from a vacation to the Grand Canyon the 3rd week of November. I am very excited to work this in the winter with the heated cab and upgraded speakers.

Might change out the front axle oil, I think I will get close to the 50 hours before snow season is up, and I have been using this in 4L pretty much exclusively, with quick bursts of 2H on the highway. The thought is, put some fresh oil in now, then in spring when I do a complete 50 hour service, just do all the fluids again. I know it's probably overkill...but I like the idea of filling up my tractor with all the freshest nicest liquids I can put in her, really spoil it if you would. Now again, might be stupid and not needed, but I sure don't think it can hurt?

My only question is Hydraulic or 80w90, I am thinking some Hydraulic oil, as I have read it works better in cold, and that is the season we are about to get. Open to anyone's opinion on that.

There are 2 things that so far I'm not in love with, but aren't too big an issue

1) My size 12/13 foot seems to get caught under the forward pedal, while using the reverse, has made stopping backing up tricky a few times, luckily all in open areas doing loader work. I might cut some of the rubber off the forward petal. Now I wear crocs or big knee high water boots usually when in it, and neither are skinny, but I'd like another inch of room.

2) The shifting getting sticky sometimes, I have learned to rock back and forth lightly until I can easily move the shifter, but I just wish I didn't have to do that and it would just shift smoothly like it should.

Thats it, I love it otherwise!

 

[mwayne]

Hit 21 hours today. Have used it the last 3/4 hours dragging logs, lifting logs, and running in some deep mud.


I love this tractor.

Now I know someone else with a new open station 16something and they had their loader **** the bed, but I haven't had any issues except some sticky shifting at times *knocks on ALL the wood* I have ended up using it in a few ways I wouldn't have thought, like moving a 800 lb safe, building bridges and I'm sure one or two other things and I've been really happy every time I use it.

It was also nice to work the tractor like I was and with the new oil and coolant, never even hit 1/2 way on the temp gauge, it stays steady around 40% no matter what I have been doing. Very happy with these results as you get so much mixed advice, and I have never owned a tractor before.

I have a LP SB1064 and a SPL72 (snowblower and front snow push box) on order a few weeks ago, and am hoping those are ready for pick up when I get back from a vacation to the Grand Canyon the 3rd week of November. I am very excited to work this in the winter with the heated cab and upgraded speakers.

Might change out the front axle oil, I think I will get close to the 50 hours before snow season is up, and I have been using this in 4L pretty much exclusively, with quick bursts of 2H on the highway. The thought is, put some fresh oil in now, then in spring when I do a complete 50 hour service, just do all the fluids again. I know it's probably overkill...but I like the idea of filling up my tractor with all the freshest nicest liquids I can put in her, really spoil it if you would. Now again, might be stupid and not needed, but I sure don't think it can hurt?

My only question is Hydraulic or 80w90, I am thinking some Hydraulic oil, as I have read it works better in cold, and that is the season we are about to get. Open to anyone's opinion on that.

There are 2 things that so far I'm not in love with, but aren't too big an issue

1) My size 12/13 foot seems to get caught under the forward pedal, while using the reverse, has made stopping backing up tricky a few times, luckily all in open areas doing loader work. I might cut some of the rubber off the forward petal. Now I wear crocs or big knee high water boots usually when in it, and neither are skinny, but I'd like another inch of room.

2) The shifting getting sticky sometimes, I have learned to rock back and forth lightly until I can easily move the shifter, but I just wish I didn't have to do that and it would just shift smoothly like it should.

Thats it, I love it otherwise!

The owners manual for my 2538 specs GL4 for the oil in the front axle, which is harder to find than GL5. Don't know if it matters as there probably isn't any brass or synch rings in the axle, just giving you a heads up.

 

[bridge4]

The owners manual for my 2538 specs GL4 for the oil in the front axle, which is harder to find than GL5. Don't know if it matters as there probably isn't any brass or synch rings in the axle, just giving you a heads up.

I did notice that, do you just use the Mahindra brand, or do you have a preference for something else?

 

[mwayne]

I did notice that, do you just use the Mahindra brand, or do you have a preference for something else?

I used this:

CRC 24239 Multi-Purpose Gear Oil,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M8RYMC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Not sure how it compares price wise to Mahindra's branded product.

 

[RNeumann]

No need for anything special in the front end- the axle lives an easy life from a lubrication standpoint. You are correct on the types- the same hydraulic fluid you use in the transmission if you are a cold climate and gear oil in the warm climates.

My manual said to block the grill to maintain proper engine temps in the winter. I blocked the radiator and saw the temps climb too much. After that I figured out a way to block the radiator and it has maintained the correct temps while plowing snow etc in the winter.

 

[bridge4]

I used this:

CRC 24239 Multi-Purpose Gear Oil,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M8RYMC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Not sure how it compares price wise to Mahindra's branded product.

The price on that sure is right. Some of the other stuff I was looking at that can do GL-4 and GL-5 was way higher than that. I am guessing you've been happy with it, I might give it a try.

 

[bridge4]

No need for anything special in the front end- the axle lives an easy life from a lubrication standpoint. You are correct on the types- the same hydraulic fluid you use in the transmission if you are a cold climate and gear oil in the warm climates.

My manual said to block the grill to maintain proper engine temps in the winter. I blocked the radiator and saw the temps climb too much. After that I figured out a way to block the radiator and it has maintained the correct temps while plowing snow etc in the winter.

In my manual, it has the final drives and the front axle sort of together. See attached photo



So am I right to understand the final drive cases are the boxes right by the wheels people talk about making sure are filled up? But I also think they get the oil from and fill at the same point as the front axle?

So it lists the Hydraulic fluid and Gear oil as an option.

Or am I WAY off and these are two totally separate systems?

If they are 1 system basically, then I would go hydraulic fluid for the cold months with everything.



As far as plowing in the cold weather, I will have to test it out and see how the temperatures hold, might have to block some parts off if it can't keep warm on it's own.

Thanks in advance.

 

[RNeumann]

In my manual, it has the final drives and the front axle sort of together. See attached photo

View attachment 628380

So am I right to understand the final drive cases are the boxes right by the wheels people talk about making sure are filled up? But I also think they get the oil from and fill at the same point as the front axle?

So it lists the Hydraulic fluid and Gear oil as an option.

Or am I WAY off and these are two totally separate systems?

If they are 1 system basically, then I would go hydraulic fluid for the cold months with everything.



As far as plowing in the cold weather, I will have to test it out and see how the temperatures hold, might have to block some parts off if it can't keep warm on it's own.

Thanks in advance.

The final drives are on the axle ends and are tied to the axle fluid. The fluid flows down the axle tubes, across the ring and pinion gears and into the final drives. Their should be drain plugs (bolts?) on both final drives and the axle housing itself. Mine also has a plug that sets full level- this is in the final drive. I fill into the axle and stop when fluid comes out the plug mentioned above.

I get the diligence but this axle will be just fine with about anything. No need to fret over it!

 

[bridge4]

The final drives are on the axle ends and are tied to the axle fluid. The fluid flows down the axle tubes, across the ring and pinion gears and into the final drives. Their should be drain plugs (bolts?) on both final drives and the axle housing itself. Mine also has a plug that sets full level- this is in the final drive. I fill into the axle and stop when fluid comes out the plug mentioned above.

I get the diligence but this axle will be just fine with about anything. No need to fret over it!

Thanks for the explanation, I thought that was pretty much how it worked. I am just worried the first time I do anything like this and don't want to mess it up. I am going to go for some hydraulic fluid to replace it all.