fluids

[Cook123]

My 790 is a couple of weeks old. While doing the maintenance listed in the owners manuel I noticed the hyd., and the front differential were low on the dipsticks. There are no leaks (i think just need topping off after everything has broken in) ; my question is should I get the original Deere fluids or go aftermarket? If I buy a 5 gallon bucket I ll probably have it setting there five years from now with 4.95 gallons left. I know i can use the front diff. fluid in my cutter. Thanks

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> should I get the original Deere fluids or go aftermarket? </font>

I don't think there is anything "special" about JD fluids. Unless you can buy the JD stuff cheaper, I wouldn't buy it.

 

[RobS]

I've been using JD fluids in my 790 since I got it. That's been a couple of oil changes and one hydraulic fluid change. Non-JD fluids might have saved me a few bucks but over the past three years it's not a biggie. I trust the JD stuff and I'm at the dealer getting filters anyway.

I think you can get all the necessary fluids in quarts which would work for topping off. I get the oil and hydraulic fluids in two gallon containers which are a convenient size to work with /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> I trust the JD stuff and I'm at the dealer getting filters anyway. </font>

You can also save money by buying NAPA filters instead of JD brand. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RobS]

<font color="blue">You can also save money by buying NAPA filters instead of JD brand </font>

I'm sure you're right Dave and if I had a small fleet to maintain I certainly would look into that. Trouble is, then I'd have to do all the research to find the best, make sure it's the best, cross referencing etc. etc. etc. On top of that, the visits to the NAPA store are nowhere near as interesting as the visits to the Deere dealer. Usually it's me and my boys and half the time we're climbing all over tractors, combines and other fun things. So you see, it's not all about the fluids in the end /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I figure my tractors had either CASE-IH or JD fluids in them when I bought them, so I will put them back in when I change them. They don't cost that much more and it keeps me in touch with the dealers. My experience has been that these little things are remembered by the dealer when I go back to purchase something big.
I have been lucky so far...

 

[bigpete]

Gatorboy, I wouldn't buy JD fluids or filters either if I had a Kubota like you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> I wouldn't buy JD fluids or filters either if I had a Kubota like you </font>

Just for the record, my Kubota has 7900 hours on it and uses NAPA filters. My father's business (which run 6 JD 7210's ) put 10's of thousands of hours on machines -- all use filters from NAPA and non-JD fluids. That is testimonial enough for me to know that JD, Kubota, etc. filters are not anything "special".

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I am sure they probably aren't. Like I said, it just keeps you in touch with the dealer. If he's a good dealer, he'll remember things like that when you come back to buy something else. My brother lives 30+ miles away from the dealer and when he needed some warranty work done, the dealer picked up and returned his 5105 for NOTHING. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> If he's a good dealer, he'll remember things like that when you come back to buy something else. </font>

I think it's safe to say, they are remembered well. After 17+ years in the mowing business and about 12 tractors, 18 flex-wing mowers, parts, etc., they've got to be one of their top customers. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif