cobracnvt
Bronze Member
Changing Hydraulic Fluid on John Deere 3320 and hydraulic fluid heater install
I just changed the hydraulic fluid and installed a hydraulic fluid heater on my John Deere 3320.
I thought I would post a few pictures for reference as I was looking for this info before I started and couldn't find it. I also wanted to pass on a couple of things I figured out as I went along. I got a quote from my local John Deere dealer to come to my house to do this. I saved over $250 doing this myself.
1. Get a strap wrench for taking off and putting on the cover to the hydraulic filter cover. I've had this wrench for years and it comes in really handy for things like this.
2. I was trying to figure out what to drain 7 gallons of hydraulic fluid into that didn't cost a lot. I got a cement mixing tub from Home Depot for $13. It holds 21 Gallons, which was more than big enough to handle draining the 7 gallons of fluid. I put my normal oil changing pan (holds 3 gallons) inside this tub and used the tub for any overflow. During the draining of the fluid, I was easily able to put the transmission plug back in before overflowing my regular oil changing pan without making too much of a mess, allowing me to empty the oil changing pan several times.
3. The tractor takes just under 7 gallons of hydraulic fluid. I recommend buying 7 individual gallon jugs of new fluid instead of the 5 gallon container of fluid. It's much easier to pour in.
4. The inline hydraulic filterer is really difficult to take apart and clean. My filter ended up not being really dirty, but I'm glad I checked. Taking this filter apart was the most difficult part of this job, but I luckily had the correct wrenches and a vise to hold it. Worst case, a new one can be bought from the dealer for about $70.
5. There is a second drain plug under the drain plug where the heater goes. This plug has a magnet on it. Make sure to take this plug out as well and clean the metal shavings off the magnet.
6. I added a hydraulic fluid heater as well to my tractor as well. This is the time to do it. The heater was $90 and couldn't have been easier to install as it literally just replaced the original drain plug. I use an Engine block heater and I thought the hydraulic fluid heater would be a good addition for the cold morning starts before cleaning the snow off my driveway.
7. John Deere provides a really (maybe 2 foot) electric cord for the heater that you have to order separately from the hydraulic heater. I found a 5 foot one on Amazon for $13. I going to run the cord up to the front of the tractor so that it's next to the Engine block heater cord making it easier to plug in. The cord going to arrive next week, and hopefully it fits. Amazon.com: 5FT Silicone Replacement Cord w/Right Angle Connector: Automotive
I just changed the hydraulic fluid and installed a hydraulic fluid heater on my John Deere 3320.
I thought I would post a few pictures for reference as I was looking for this info before I started and couldn't find it. I also wanted to pass on a couple of things I figured out as I went along. I got a quote from my local John Deere dealer to come to my house to do this. I saved over $250 doing this myself.
1. Get a strap wrench for taking off and putting on the cover to the hydraulic filter cover. I've had this wrench for years and it comes in really handy for things like this.
2. I was trying to figure out what to drain 7 gallons of hydraulic fluid into that didn't cost a lot. I got a cement mixing tub from Home Depot for $13. It holds 21 Gallons, which was more than big enough to handle draining the 7 gallons of fluid. I put my normal oil changing pan (holds 3 gallons) inside this tub and used the tub for any overflow. During the draining of the fluid, I was easily able to put the transmission plug back in before overflowing my regular oil changing pan without making too much of a mess, allowing me to empty the oil changing pan several times.
3. The tractor takes just under 7 gallons of hydraulic fluid. I recommend buying 7 individual gallon jugs of new fluid instead of the 5 gallon container of fluid. It's much easier to pour in.
4. The inline hydraulic filterer is really difficult to take apart and clean. My filter ended up not being really dirty, but I'm glad I checked. Taking this filter apart was the most difficult part of this job, but I luckily had the correct wrenches and a vise to hold it. Worst case, a new one can be bought from the dealer for about $70.
5. There is a second drain plug under the drain plug where the heater goes. This plug has a magnet on it. Make sure to take this plug out as well and clean the metal shavings off the magnet.
6. I added a hydraulic fluid heater as well to my tractor as well. This is the time to do it. The heater was $90 and couldn't have been easier to install as it literally just replaced the original drain plug. I use an Engine block heater and I thought the hydraulic fluid heater would be a good addition for the cold morning starts before cleaning the snow off my driveway.
7. John Deere provides a really (maybe 2 foot) electric cord for the heater that you have to order separately from the hydraulic heater. I found a 5 foot one on Amazon for $13. I going to run the cord up to the front of the tractor so that it's next to the Engine block heater cord making it easier to plug in. The cord going to arrive next week, and hopefully it fits. Amazon.com: 5FT Silicone Replacement Cord w/Right Angle Connector: Automotive
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