front axle 4720h oil

[herm0016]

thanks everyone! I swear the Branson guys are more helpful than others. maybe because we all know the pain of harder to find parts/dealer help.

always sucks to find overlooked issues after buying a used machine. front axle was only about 2 cups low. so no big deal. ill have to jack it up and see if there is any play in the bearings, looks like they have off the shelf bearings, so should not be too huge a deal to fix if that is the case.

 

[ericm979]

Don't go out of your way Eric but much appreciated.

No problem, I have been meaning to post about it for a while and I have time today. I put it in it's own thread so people in the future can find it.

 

[Bob Nelson]

The manual says to use hydraulic fluid. But, the cap says 80W. I admit I changed mine and put hydraulic fluid in. Kinda thin but I am convinced the old oil is hydraulic fluid. No distinctive smell and thinner. So, what gives?

 

[ericm979]

Hydraulic fluid (or rather tractor fluid) was the old spec. It proved insufficient in some cases and now 80w90 is the recommendation.

 

[Asteral]

the general rule i tell our customer is to go with an 80w90 or 85w140 ( for warmer climates), but do NOT use any 303 branded oils they are just to cheap of an oil and to thin to properly protect the front axle gears, other than that the brand isn't specific so use what you can affordably and reliably get ahold of locally.

 

[5030]

You can fill from the dipstick side too. I was having problems with oil leaking out the fill/vent when operating or parked on a side slope so I replaced the vent on the right with a swivel and hose to a reservoir. Now I use the dipstick side to fill.

Some people have had problems with seals on the front axle, and some have had problems with the bearings. When the bearings get play in them the seals wear and leak.

Vertical play with the front axle lifted off the ground. Horizontal play will be the tie rod ends. Issue with vertical slop is at some point it will compromise the seal between the upper and lower knuckles and they will start leaking and once they start leaking, the only fix is to rebuild them and it's not a quick nor easy job.

 

[Texasmark]

I can not seem to find how to check the level of the oil in the front axle of my 4720h. I see the fill plug on the right side hub, but no stick or level check bolt??

my hubs leak a little bit and i want to make sure I keep it topped off. also, it says 80/90 on the fill plug, but the manual says to use trans/hydraulic oil.... any recommendations there? the manual covers about 10 different models so I am inclined to go with what's printed on the fill cap.

thanks.

Forget the HTD fluid for that application. If in the Northern area use the 80/90 if worried about it getting too thick and if in Texas or such I am, I use 85W-140. The ball bearings in the front hubs need something to cushion them against heavy loads. If you want to know why I am saying this, between my 2007 and 2016 Branson purchases, they changed their minds on what works and after tearing up the front bearings on my 6530 I know from experience.

The thicker oil will also reduce your opportunity for leaking.