Do you do your own maintenance

[Turbys_1700]

I did the 300 hour service on my 1720 a month ago. Real simple. Just take your time and everything will go just fine. Make sure that you have a service manual for fluid capacities. Took me several hours for the 300 but I took my time and enjoyed myself. I calculate that I saved around $150 to $200 by doing it myself.

 

[JHTFarmer]

I am certainly not a certified diesel mechanic. But I have enjoyed doing
routine maint on my DX40 (TC40DA). It isn't difficult. I was thinking
about taking it to the dealer for the 300 hour service, but after reading
that post about substandard fluids and recycled parts, maybe I'll just keep
doing it myself. oh well

 

[BobRip]

I like to have the dealer look at the machine and check it out at least once in the first year. Then they never see it again.

 

[TractorDale]

Well that pretty much settles it. And as pointed out, nobody cares as much about the machine as the owner.

Any recommendations as to type of grease, oil, filters, HF etc.
I have the manual on my desk and everything seems straighforward.

One other question about grease fittings- How much grease should I give at each fitting?

You gentlemen are most helpful. Thank-you.

Dale

 

[1bush2hog]

Dale -

I did my 50 hour service using NH fluids, filters, and grease. Maybe a little more money, but in my case, not enough to worry about and could get everything I needed at one place.

The amount of grease will depend on the area you are greasing. On FEL fittings, and front end fittings, I pump grease until I can see new grease coming out, On the rear end and underside I pump until I hear the first or 2nd pop. Not sure if you can use too much grease on any of these fittings, but hit them all and hit them regularly and you won't have to wonder how much to use.

I have only been concerned about pumping too much grease on U joints that have needle bearings -

Take a look at all of your filters before you start to make sure you have the right filter wrench to do the job

 

[michigander II]

I too, just bought a TC40 and already bought some oil and filters. Get a owners and maintenance manual. They explain everything in there really well. Nobody cares about your tractor more than you do, so take the time to learn how to do the things yourself. Especially the preventative maintenance things. Your tractor will be pay you back for being so well taken care of.

 

[Soundguy]

On my "new" tractor.. a 2002 NH 7610s, I buy CNH filters for it.. For my old tractors I buy aftermarket, like napa, cause they are close... my CNH dealer is an hour each way from my house.. But I occasionally have dealer service or phone tech support on the 7610s.. so i like them to see CNH filters on it..

Soundguy

Well that pretty much settles it. And as pointed out, nobody cares as much about the machine as the owner.

Any recommendations as to type of grease, oil, filters, HF etc.
I have the manual on my desk and everything seems straighforward.

One other question about grease fittings- How much grease should I give at each fitting?

You gentlemen are most helpful. Thank-you.

Dale

 

[jinman]

I agree with if its free, let them do it. Otherwise do it yourself. You can probably be finished in less time than it would take to load it an drop it off at the dealer. And they would probably want to keep it a day or two to work it in.

Bill, you are sure right about that. I'd say that if you could make servicing a tractor as easy as driving your car into an oil change place, you'd be a rich man.

 

[JSUnlimited]

Routine maintenace on all of the stuff around here is something I enjoy doing. Not that I don't have faith a dealer (tractor, car, boat, etc.) but sometimes it seems that the details are overlooked.

For example, I took the vehicle to a local dealer for a recall issue (Crown Victoria, possible gas tank explosion warning). I thought since it was there, why not get an oil change? Just for shi*'s and giggles, I used a permanent black marker and made a few distinguishing marks on the oil filter. I picked it up, paid for the service and before I drove off, looked under the hood.

Guess what? Same oil filter. I showed the service manager, explained to him what I did and after a brief "investigation" he stated that the "mechanic" admitted to changing the oil but "forgot" to change the filter. I won't bore you guys with the aftermath of the situation, but this is one reason that I do my own services. It's a must to keep good documentation and reciepts for oil, filters, etc. Especially if things are under warranty.

BTW, a few friends and family have managed to get a new oil pan from some of these "jiffy-quick, super-duper" lube places. The pan plug gets cross threaded and the guy keeps cranking it down as he looks to see all of the cars line up behind him.

 

[Propertymaint]

I believe that if you work on your own vehicles/equipment you will learn more about how it operates and thus be able to spot any developing potential problems before it puts the machine out of commission. I have a tough time sending anything out for repairs/service whether it be a tractor or a vehicle. It's difficult to find a good shop these days - I'm not saying they are not out there, I just usually get the 19 year old kid (that needs to pull up his pants) working on my stuff and then I usually end up re-doing the repair myself. Doing your own basic maintenance is easy with simple tools and a manual. The cost of the manual will pay for itself in the first couple of years.