HST Oil Change: Fact or Fiction?

[ovrszd]

If the possibility of some low level of contamination, that is too small in particle size, or of a type that is unable to be caught by the filter, is a good reason for changing the transmission oil, even in a case where there is no reason to believe there is any. Consider, that even after you change the HST oil, some of that contamination is still going to be in there somewhere. Because you can't get it all out.

So, now what are you going to do? :confused3:

I'll bet you, any dealer can tell you of a tractor that was traded in with many many hundreds of hours on it, that still had the original filter on the transmission. And, it still worked fine.

There doesn't seem to be threads, all over TBN about transmission failures, which could suggest there should be extra attention paid to this.

Again, if it was working hard, and getting dirty, or sitting outside all the time, by all means, I would change it.

I think the sitting outside part of your comments is the most serious. None of my motorized equipment sits outside.

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]
With that said, if your tractor has rear remotes and you use them frequently you risk contamination.
[snip].

Richard, is that from contamination getting in when disconnecting and reconnecting the hoses?

 

[PILOON]

Last used vehicle purchased was a GM product.
Had all fluids changed* including transmission fluid mainly for assurance and also to see any contaminants.
Big surprise to me was no provisions were there to drain the transmission other than removing the pan.

*also under the used vehicle warranty I'd have heads up for a claim.
In my area consumer laws mandate 100% warranty for 30 days on over $10K used cars sold by a dealer.

 

[rswyan]

Both of our previous vehicles, have well over 200k on the original transmissions.

One is at 243k, and the other is at 270k.

The transmission in my van - a Dodge Sprinter (made by Mercedes) - has over 436,000 miles on it ... and it's the original.

Fluid and filter changed religiously every 60K miles.

 

[ovrszd]

Richard, is that from contamination getting in when disconnecting and reconnecting the hoses?

Yes. I always wipe the connectors. Hard to clean the female end. Secondary contamination is that you don't know what type or condition of hydraulic oil was used to last power the attachment (if it's a borrowed tool).

 

[countrybumpkin]

We always keep a can of starting fluid on the tractor for cleaning the quick connects, works great. Cuts oil and grease, has a good amount of pressure to blow debris out of the female connectors and evaporates quickly.

 

[ray66v]

The transmission in my van - a Dodge Sprinter (made by Mercedes) - has over 436,000 miles on it ... and it's the original.

Fluid and filter changed religiously every 60K miles.

Mine were never changed religiously.

But, they did get the pan dropped, or drained, and 4 quarts of fresh fluid put in on occasion.

My new van, doesn't have a transmission dipstick, and insists no service before 100,000 miles!?

 

[Wagtail]

I think the sitting outside part of your comments is the most serious. None of my motorized equipment sits outside.

I'm curious why a tractor, sitting outside (for extended periods or 'always') would be a contributing factor in the deterioration of the HST/hydraulic fluid?

 

[ovrszd]

I'm curious why a tractor, sitting outside (for extended periods or 'always') would be a contributing factor in the deterioration of the HST/hydraulic fluid?

Possibility of water contamination.

 

[IslandTractor]

Possibility of water contamination.

Yes, I'm sure that's what he was thinking but you have bigger problems than a 400hr oil change if you have water leaking into your hydraulics.