Oil & Fuel Dealer said Low Vis Hy-Gard in JD 4100 Front Axle?

[timbits588]

I'd believe the manual. Never use a GL4 type gear oil (closer to what Hy Gard is) when it calls for a GL5. My Miata calls for GL5 in the differential and GL4 in the trans. I'd never put GL5 in the trans. Yet, I had a 1965 Plymouth Valiant that calls for either ATF or GL4 in the 3M. Could hardly be shifted with GL4. ATF worked great, as it does in Corvette MTs.

Anyway, I'd believe the manual over the counter guy. Gear oil (as pointed out, it's like 20 or 30w engine oil with fewer additives) is what I put in the front axle of the JD 4010.

Ralph

Thank you. Appreciate the explanation as well.

 

[timbits588]

All of the John Deere compacts that I have owned that were built by Yanmar used GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT in the front axles. The JD built compacts all used Hy-Gard in the front axles. The Kioti uses GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT.

Any idea as to why most call for GL-5, but the JD built ones call for the Hy-Gard? Is their make up (components) that different than the other brands that lubrication requirements would be unique? I ask more out of curiosity. I'm going to go with what the manual states and what you suggested since that was my original plan. Thanks for taking the time to offer your advice! -tim

 

[chevy]

Any idea as to why most call for GL-5, but the JD built ones call for the Hy-Gard? Is their make up (components) that different than the other brands that lubrication requirements would be unique? I ask more out of curiosity. I'm going to go with what the manual states and what you suggested since that was my original plan. Thanks for taking the time to offer your advice! -tim

The only answer I can give is that the axles are made by different manufactures. Yanmar builds theirs to work with GL-5 & John Deere builds theirs to work with Hy-Gard.

 

[RickB]

The only answer I can give is that the axles are made by different manufactures. Yanmar builds theirs to work with GL-5 & John Deere builds theirs to work with Hy-Gard.

They all have ball bearings, straight cut bevel gears and cassette seals. Lube recommendations become marketing tools at that point. Low Vis HyGard is a Deere product. 80W90 GL5 can be had anywhere.

I’ll argue all day long about following OEM recommendations for hydrostatic transmission/wet brake oils. But the most important thing about front axle oils is remembering to change it.

 

[rScotty]

They all have ball bearings, straight cut bevel gears and cassette seals. Lube recommendations become marketing tools at that point. Low Vis HyGard is a Deere product. 80W90 GL5 can be had anywhere.

I’ll argue all day long about following OEM recommendations for hydrostatic transmission/wet brake oils. But the most important thing about front axle oils is remembering to change it.

That's right. There's a strong argument in favor of having the person who designed the system also choose the recommended maintenance for the machine.
That's in a perfect world, but it just doesn't work that way in industry in the US for the past 50 years.

As best, what I've seen is that the designer is given a list of products that the some other department prefers for financial and advertising reasons and told to pick one. Even more commonly, the decision is made without his knowledge or input. The design engineer doesn't write the operations manual, he may never even see it. We may wish companies were run differently, but I've designed mechanical devices for 40 years in the US and not seen it done any other way. Maybe so in other countries.

The answer to deciding on maintenance really comes down to the same as many other decisions to be made in life from financial, health, or partnership....... study up and decide for yourself.
From the manufacturer's viewpoint, their recommendations can change over time depending on who they are partnering with financially, but bearings and seals are standard. So are alloys. Types of friction and operating temperature is just a matter of physics and textbooks. The very best lubrication may be an art, but perfectly suitable lubrication is simply basic science today. And all the info needed is available to anyone.

The recommendation of the guy at the counter is just one more piece of data; not an all-defining decree. In fact, the same goes for manufacturer's recommendations. When you hear a recommendation, don't be shy to ask "why". And don't be afraid to use your knowledge, but back it up with some facts & reasons. It's the only way we learn.

I wrote some of my recommendations and reasons back in post #4, but just like the guy at the counter, you should treat mine as just one more piece of data.... the same goes for all other recommendations.
best of luck,
rScotty

 

[timbits588]

rScotty,
Very well summed up! I do appreciate your input, especially with the reasoning behind it as I mentioned previously. This site is an awesome wealth of real world knowledge and has helped me a great deal over the years. -tim