Deck gearbox oil change?

[JDgreen227]

I have a 2002 vintage 60-inch 7-Iron deck, and the owners manual recommends changing the gearbox oil at 500 operating hours. Since it is required to remove the gearbox from the deck in order to drain the oil, I keep putting off the task, although my deck has about 700 operating hours on it. Does anybody REALLY bother to change the gearbox oil on a mower deck or is it one of those "if it works okay don't mess with it" jobs? Thanks for your input.

 

[radioman]

I am not sure about your gearbox, but I drain mine still attached to deck every year. oil is cheap enough to replace. I am more worried about water condensation in mine then getting dirty although its always kept in unheated garage.

 

[Cpjlube]

There should be a check plug on the gearbox somewhere. Usually it's a level plug on the side of the gearbox. At the very least, make sure it's full to the level plug. After that many hours there maybe some contamination, water, metal from wear parts or the additives in the gear oil have started wear out. There's also a chance the lower seals have leaked a small amount over time, so check it for sure.
Usually those gear boxes don't hold alot of gear oil. On some of them you can get a tube all the way to the bottom and evacuate the oil through the fill / level plug with one if those hand pumps. Then just refill.
Chuck

 

[BRBurns]

I'd change it. If you want to extend the time in the furture, use a good fully synthetic gear oil.

 

[JDgreen227]

Thanks guys for the input. I just finished greasing the deck spindles, wheels, and pto shaft so I will drain and refill the gearcase oil this afternoon also. Don't laugh at this, but I have a cheapo Craftsman 2 hp shop vac that I got at Goodwill for $10, it had no hoses or wands. I modified the inlet so I can attach various sizes of vinyl and rubber tubing and use this vacuum only to siphon fluids like oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, etc.

I was thinking the gearbox on the mower deck was basically like a rear diffential on a truck...never really needed to have the oil changed. I do check the fluid level before installing the deck every spring, it has a check plug on the side.

 

[thatguy]

If that doesnt work try this

Amazon.com: Hopkins 10111/6 MFG 2-Cycle Oil-Mixing Tool: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I added a small clear tube to the end and use it to suck out the oil - it also works for installing new oil in tight spaces as well

Brian

Thanks guys for the input. I just finished greasing the deck spindles, wheels, and pto shaft so I will drain and refill the gearcase oil this afternoon also. Don't laugh at this, but I have a cheapo Craftsman 2 hp shop vac that I got at Goodwill for $10, it had no hoses or wands. I modified the inlet so I can attach various sizes of vinyl and rubber tubing and use this vacuum only to siphon fluids like oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, etc.

I was thinking the gearbox on the mower deck was basically like a rear diffential on a truck...never really needed to have the oil changed. I do check the fluid level before installing the deck every spring, it has a check plug on the side.

 

[Kessler Farms]

Diffs on a truck do need changing, just like the gearbox on your mower.

 

[Toyboy]

I change the gear oil on my Kubota deck yearly. Not because it needs it but so I can see whats going on OR out in the gear box. Your oil is a good indicator on how things are wearing inside. Like it was said before, oil is cheap.