Re: BX mowing deck "gear box" oil change
Yes. Very wrong.
My first guess is that it's a mistake. 2 or 4 years for an oil seal is what I'd expect from a low quality consumer product.
My opinion: if it's lube for a gear box that only has gears, bearing & seals, I reach for the gear oil.
A side benefit is that gear oil is usually a little heavier and resists weeping out the seals better.
-Jim
After debating all this, and reading a lot, I have to agree with you, gear oil goes into the gear box.
So my choices of fluids are follow
Amsoil for everything and all Kubota filters
1. series 3000 5W-30 Synthetic heavy duty diesel oil for the engine. product code HDDQT
2. Synthetic Multi purpose grease for all the grease gun fittings. product code GLCCR
3. Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic / Transmission Oil for the Hydraulics / Transmission. product code ATHQT
4. 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube for the front transaxle and the mower gear box. product code AGLQT
I believe this is the proper way the manual should have been written. (with the option to use synthetic)
I dont think this is a typo. Its in the service chart and listed on the 4 year replacement along with intake hose, breather, hydraulic lines etc. All rubber oxidizes and brakes down it sounds like CYA preventing a $1000 gear box replacement.
In the case of the ZD1211 this is a commercial machine I'm guessing some of these could rack up close to 1000 hours a year in the right climate
As for the oil type the gear box on mine specifically calls for 10W30 on a sticker on the gear box as well.
My manual states every 2 years for all the hoses and the seals for the mower gear box, now in saying this, I personally don't think this is going to be the case for me as I garage my tractor and lubricate my hoses when I feel like it (maybe 2 times a year), I will inspect then as I do now (even after owning this for a little over a year), and replace as needed (this may take me to 10 years as I always do with hoses, though I have no experience with hydraulic hoses, but I know people who bought used tractors and never replaced then and they lasted who knows how long, outside in the weather also). As far as the seals in the mower gear box, as I don't use it much so when I reach 200 hours or see signs of oil leaking (on the garage floor) I will replace them, that should be about every 4 - 5 years.
I have no idea why these books are all over the place with maintenance but I think mine was written for my BX to be outside in direct sunlight in a desert condition.
If any of this is off please advise.
As far as oil changes, etc.. the manual does not specify a yearly date, it just states 50 hours and 200 hours and every 200 hours after, since I only do 50 hours a year, that makes my oil changes every 4 years (with the exception on the 1st and 2nd). does this sound right? any reason to change oil sooner than specified ?
NOTE:I had my craftsman tractor for 25 years and never replaced a wire or hose never, and they looked practically like new when I traded it in, I spray wd40 on wires and hoses when not used for a week or two and it worked great for that tractor and I will continue on with this one.