Front axle fluid

[Texasmark]

I have 9 years and 1000 hrs on my 2007, 6530C, which a few times saw hard usage for a few minutes. Recently I noticed an oil leak from the left front gearbox. In short, I had bearing failures that made a big (internal) mess on that side and a similar situation was in the making on the right side but I caught it before it got all that bad since I detected a little movement in the right side and decided to do it too.

Owner's manual stated the same fluid was to be used for all the sumps in the tractor. In looking around different sources of info recently, on different ages and brands of 4wd tractors, I noticed a good bit of 90 to 140 oil recommended for the front gearboxes. I, as you, know full well that heavy gear oil has sufficed the industries for eons. Lightweight fluids, at least as far as I know, even with their pressure resisting additives, haven't.

Upon purchasing my parts, I asked and was answered that 90-140 was THE oil for that gearbox (in today's world). I totally agree and feel that had that oil been in there from the start, I wouldn't have had the bearing failures (6014 and 6213 if you want sizes).

So, I go over to my 2016 2400 and check things out. Now here we have a 24 hp tractor as compared to a 65........manual says 80w-90 for the front gearboxes and on one of the fill plugs, moulded into the top is the notation 80W oil.

Having read about some folks having axle problems with the little guys (not knowing what fluids were in use) and seeing the heavy oil being recommended, it's my opinion that the front gearbox needs the thicker oil for reliable operation and maybe is an after thought from the mfgr. after satisfying multiple warranty claims and looking at the root cause(s). Time will tell.

So, as a precaution for you the reader, if you are running multifunction oil in your 4wd front axle, you might do yourself a favor and check into whether or not your manufacturer has changed the recommended oil type/viscosity, or take it upon yourself to make the change regardless. The front axle is a gear train, like gear trains of the past 100+ years. There are drive shaft seals that keeps front axle oil in the front axle and multifunction oil in the rear sump.

 

[Zork]

I will check into it locally.

Hello DavesTractor? How are you? Have you heard anything about this?

 

[LincTex]

It's my opinion that the front gearbox needs the thicker oil for reliable operation and maybe is an after thought from the mfgr..

I agree - the front bearings and gearbox must use gear lube.

I'll be draining mine this weekend and will report what fluid it was the factory installed.

 

[Zork]

I need more proof. Years back, transfer cases and transmissions required special oils, now some require ATF. I did a quadra-trac chain/sprocket/bearing replacement in the mid 80's and the kit required .99 cents a quart ATF rather than the $12 quadra-trac oil. I was skeptical with the use of ATF at first, but everything was fine in the long haul.

 

[oldnslo]

Most newer tractors use the same oil to run the hydraulics and lube the rear ends. I would have to believe the rear final drive would also be loaded at times and they survive.

my two cents.. should I ask for change?

 

[ray66v]

80w-90 is actually the same weight as the hydraulic transmission oil, most manufacturers are using.

The gear oil scale, is not the same as the engine oil scale.

They all vary a lot. But, 80w-90, is around 30w on the motor oil scale, depending on the specific brand.

 

[sd455dan]

I have 9 years and 1000 hrs on my 2007, 6530C, which a few times saw hard usage for a few minutes. Recently I noticed an oil leak from the left front gearbox. In short, I had bearing failures that made a big (internal) mess on that side and a similar situation was in the making on the right side but I caught it before it got all that bad since I detected a little movement in the right side and decided to do it too.

Owner's manual stated the same fluid was to be used for all the sumps in the tractor. In looking around different sources of info recently, on different ages and brands of 4wd tractors, I noticed a good bit of 90 to 140 oil recommended for the front gearboxes. I, as you, know full well that heavy gear oil has sufficed the industries for eons. Lightweight fluids, at least as far as I know, even with their pressure resisting additives, haven't.

Upon purchasing my parts, I asked and was answered that 90-140 was THE oil for that gearbox (in today's world). I totally agree and feel that had that oil been in there from the start, I wouldn't have had the bearing failures (6014 and 6213 if you want sizes).

So, I go over to my 2016 2400 and check things out. Now here we have a 24 hp tractor as compared to a 65........manual says 80w-90 for the front gearboxes and on one of the fill plugs, moulded into the top is the notation 80W oil.

Having read about some folks having axle problems with the little guys (not knowing what fluids were in use) and seeing the heavy oil being recommended, it's my opinion that the front gearbox needs the thicker oil for reliable operation and maybe is an after thought from the mfgr. after satisfying multiple warranty claims and looking at the root cause(s). Time will tell.

So, as a precaution for you the reader, if you are running multifunction oil in your 4wd front axle, you might do yourself a favor and check into whether or not your manufacturer has changed the recommended oil type/viscosity, or take it upon yourself to make the change regardless. The front axle is a gear train, like gear trains of the past 100+ years. There are drive shaft seals that keeps front axle oil in the front axle and multifunction oil in the rear sump.

Been running the UTF in the 55 hp Rhino for over 23 years now, No leaks or problems- and it's a chinese tractor... Thinking I read posts of some TBNers even running straight hydraulic oil in the front ends of their tractors with no problems and believe it was even in the manual as the correct oil.
I will keep using the UTF , but each their own it is a free country

 

[sd455dan]

I need more proof. Years back, transfer cases and transmissions required special oils, now some require ATF. I did a quadra-trac chain/sprocket/bearing replacement in the mid 80's and the kit required .99 cents a quart ATF rather than the $12 quadra-trac oil. I was skeptical with the use of ATF at first, but everything was fine in the long haul.

I think the Q-trac oil was mainly for the benefit of the limited slip cone clutch in the q-tracs transfer case's internal differential

 

[oldpilgrim]

If the rear gears are ok with utf, then the front gears would be too. My machine calls for it in the front.

 

[ray66v]

If the rear gears are ok with utf, then the front gears would be too. My machine calls for it in the front.

Either way, it's gear oil.