Gear oil

bugwizard · Jun 7, 2023

Just joined forum, looking forward to sage advise...I own a 1987 Bolens G272 diesel tractor. The manuals say to fill transmission with 36 quarts of SAE80 gear oil.
No where is it specified a GL-4 or GL-5. They are different, so I don't understand not stating which to use.

Rustyiron · Jun 7, 2023

I wouldn't get hung up on the difference with a "seasoned" tractor of that vintage. Just putting new, correct weight oil in it is the important thing.

ptsg · Jun 7, 2023

Since you have the oil on the transmission drained, it's a good time to pull the screen out and give it a good cleaning, if it has one that is.

ericm979 · Jun 7, 2023

This is a good explainer:

https://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/home/heavy-commercial-vehicles-oil-and-fluids/hd-focus-newsletter/engineering-solutions/understanding-the-differences-in-gear-oil-specs.html

I'd go with GL-4.

Kubota BX 2670 · Jun 8, 2023

I would use GL4

Sawyer Rob · Jun 8, 2023

I would use either one, whatever I had.

SR

bugwizard · Jun 8, 2023

Rustyiron said:
I wouldn't get hung up on the difference with a "seasoned" tractor of that vintage. Just putting new, correct weight oil in it is the important thing.

That is my intension. Thanks for your response.

bugwizard · Jun 8, 2023

ptsg said:
Since you have the oil on the transmission drained, it's a good time to pull the screen out and give it a good cleaning, if it has one that is.

I'm changing the hydraulic oil filter once I establish the correct gear oil designation.
Thanks for your reply.

bugwizard · Jun 8, 2023

ericm979 said:
This is a good explainer:

https://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/home/heavy-commercial-vehicles-oil-and-fluids/hd-focus-newsletter/engineering-solutions/understanding-the-differences-in-gear-oil-specs.html

I'd go with GL-4.

Thanks for the link. It verified what I have read in the past.

CutTheHolesOut · Oct 11, 2023

Bugwizard, you say you’re changing the hydraulic oil filter. Do you mean you’re putting in a new strainer element or are you changing it out for another filter altogether? I ask because I’m having issues with my g274 strainer. The mechanic tore the old one up (I have no idea how) and put the housing back on and didn’t say anything. I Found the strainer tossed in the yard and had a look inside and sure enough it was empty. He’s since been given the boot and I’ve been looking for a solution that doesn’t require me to buy a new one from overseas. Also, what filter do you have fore the engine oil? He also threw on a spin on hydraulic filter for the engine oil. I can’t seem to find specs for filters anywhere so whatever you have on yours must be better than mine.