HST hydraulic filter and fluid change owner's manual inaccuracy

[frcnLS]

Maybe this will help someone (or maybe someone will let me know if I missed something). Among other tasks, the 50 hour service calls for the replacement of the hydraulic oil filter, the HST filter, and the engine oil filter as well as the engine and transmission (hydraulic) oil.

Maybe you did the 50 hr. service yourself and maybe even the 300hr. If you did, you know. If you have not, be aware that the owner's manual seems less than complete for these tasks. The manual states that just the Hydraulic and HST filters get changed at the 300 hour service. The transmission oil (which is the hydraulic fluid) change is called for at the 500 hour service. Maybe I missed something, but if you do not drain the transmission first when changing the hydraulic oil filter, when you remove the "Main Hydraulic Filter" which on my MT240HE is under the right floor pan, it (unexpectedly?) drains the transmission! The system holds 8.5 gallons! That's 32 liters. I will add that, just in case you are a fluid-volume estimation-challenged person, that is A FREAKIN' LOT OF OIL!

I once forgot to replace the drain plug on a Volkswagen and lost about half a quart of oil onto the garage floor. It is AMAZING how large of a spread out puddle that is! 8.5 gallons would be a 9-1-1 Exon Valdez HazMat phone call.

I think that the transmission hydraulic filter and the fluid should be changed at the same time. Why? Because unless you are REALLY fast removing and installing the filter (like "THE FLASH" fast), the transmission is going to be drained of a lot of fluid anyway. So unless someone here can give us (me) better information (besides using a winch and standing the tractor vertically, nose up), I think the manual should state that the hydraulic filter, HST filter and Transmission (hydraulic) oil should be changed at 500 hour intervals together. Engine oil and oil filter then would remain at 300 hour intervals.

The first time that you first remove the Hydraulic filter with a full transmission will likely be the last, or maybe the next to last..

At least I had a big drain pan under it the second time and screwed the filter back on before too much hit the floor.. ughhh.

 

[seville009]

I think they just left out of the manual the instructions to turn the tractor upside down first if only the filter is changed.......ha ha


Interestingly, the hydro filter on my skidsteer is on top behind the seat panel; it actually can be changed without having to drain the fluid.

 

[Doofy]

I did the vacuum cleaner trick at the transmission fill point and lost about a quart total. My tractor only called for the filter change at the 50 hour Service.

 

[Avenger]

The reason for this is wear. The oil is still good, but contains small metal particles from the breaking in process. The filters do a very good job at filtering this material, but need to be changed. Since the oil is still good, simply change the filter and keep the oil. At about the 500 hour mark, the oil is no longer 'good' and is recommended to changed both the filters and the oil. From that point on, is probably ok to change the filter with the oil every 500 hours. Even though the manual states every 50 for a filter change. If you're good about checking the fluid and keeping dirt out of the hydraulics, then 500 is probably fine.

 

[frcnLS]

The filters do a very good job at filtering this material, but need to be changed. Since the oil is still good, simply change the filter and keep the oil. At about the 500 hour mark, the oil is no longer 'good' and is recommended to changed both the filters and the oil.

My point was that it cannot be done unless you put the used fluid that POURS out back into the transmission. It would be a challenge to change the filter before five gallons pours out!

Doofy's tip about using a vacuum at the fill opening is intriguing to say the least! Combine that with changing the filter on a steep hill or with the front wheeels up an embankment may just be the trick. But it should not be necessary to do so if LS recommends changing the filter but not the fluid.

 

[oldnslo]

Agree on challenges of changing filters without changing oil but what percentage of people that write maintenance manuals actually put a wrench on anything?

First 50 hours everything is wearing in so oil gets dirty quickly which is why filter change is required. On my tractor they also recommended oil change at same time so wasn’t a concern.

 

[GSVette]

It really isn’t that hard to do without losing more than a quart or so of fluid. I did my 50hr service a couple of years back ( did not do the vacuum trick ) and measured less than a quart of fluid loss. Comes down to having everything staged so that there is very little time between the old filter coming off the last thread and the new filter going on.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

When I did my first 50 hr service, I did the vacuum trick.... my guess is maybe 3-4 tablespoons of loss of oil (not including what was in the filter). Definitely had everything 'staged', but wasn't necessary. Once you use the vacuum trick, you'll never do it any other way!

My manual shows engine oil & filter, HST & Hydraulic filters only at 50 hours. Then HST and hydraulic filters with hydraulic/ trans. fluid replacement at 250 hours.

 

[TheRealWorld]

Sorry for putting this here, but I have worn a hole in my steering hose, and I can't figure out where I add new fluid for the steering. Anyone know the answer on my P 7040 LS?

 

[seville009]

Sorry for putting this here, but I have worn a hole in my steering hose, and I can't figure out where I add new fluid for the steering. Anyone know the answer on my P 7040 LS?

Wouldn't it just be the hydraulic fluid that powers the steering cylinders?