IN the middle of DIY 50hr service

Seamonster124 · Jan 19, 2019

Few questions:

1) Must I lift it off the ground? I'm almost done but I can't get any oil drain containers under the front axle.
2) Motor oil was pure black, while hydraulic oil appears clean. Does this not mean I should be changing motor oil 3 times as often? Manual says to change them all at the same time every 400 hours after initial 50 hour serive.
3) what are you guy using to collect all this oil? I have containers for truck oil changes but apparently none of then hold enough oil.
4) How do you clean up oil off your garage floor.....I picked up most of it with towels but the slickness remains

RjCorazza · Jan 20, 2019

Engine oil turns black pretty fast in most diesels, so color is not an indicator of change interval requirements. The axle and transmission oil generally stay clean appearing forever, but again, color is not an indication of the condition.
As far as drain containers, I use large plastic storage tubs for draining the transmission. They make short (6” or so) storage bins that may fit under you axle, or you could make up a plastic or cardboard chute to direct the small amount of axle oil into a container.
You should specify your tractor make and model.

Deere Dude · Jan 20, 2019

Put your tractor type on your tagline because that would help with advice.

Engine oil should be changes at 100 hours or annually at least, but generally the transmission only needs to be changed at 400 hours.. It is normal for engine oil to get much blacker than transmission oil faster.

Sometimes you may need a couple or three tubs for draining oil, depending on the size of the machine. You don't really want to get them very full because they will be clumsy to deal with if totally full.

For cleaning oil messes on concrete get some "floor dry' which is something like cat litter because it absorbs oil quite well. It comes in 40-50# bags and is cheap at TSC. Talk a cool whip container full and just spread it on the affected area and push it around with a stiff bristled broom. They pick it up with a dustpan and throw it in the garbage.

mcfarmall · Jan 20, 2019

1) Put an aluminum pie tin under the axle if you lack clearance for your drain pan.
2) Black oil means the detergent package is doing its job by keeping soot particles in suspension. There should not be soot in the hydraulic oil or transmission/axle oil.
3) Five gallon bucket(s) with a spout lid.
4) Try not to make a mess in the first place but if you have a spill, sop it up with rags or sawdust, burn the rags or sawdust in a campfire or whatever, followed with Purple Power degreaser or equivalent, water and a scrub brush. Lather, rinse, repeat if necessary.

Tell us in your profile what make/model tractor you have.

oosik · Jan 20, 2019

At the 50 hour service - I changed EVERY oil - fluid - filter on the tractor. Except the fuel filter. Never had water in the diesel and I will change it at the recommended 400 hours.

Just do exactly as your owners manual says and everything will be OK.

I have 16+ gallons of hydraulic fluid. Used one of the wife's big Tupper Ware quilt tubs. Not a good idea for future smooth sailing.

Seamonster124 · Jan 20, 2019

oosik said:
At the 50 hour service - I changed EVERY oil - fluid - filter on the tractor. Except the fuel filter. Never had water in the diesel and I will change it at the recommended 400 hours.

Just do exactly as your owners manual says and everything will be OK.

I have 16+ gallons of hydraulic fluid. Used one of the wife's big Tupper Ware quilt tubs. Not a good idea for future smooth sailing.

So fuel filter does not get replaced at 50hrs? Wonder why my kit came with a pair. Also Kubota guy recomended I do it at 50. ONe of them is hard to reach

oosik · Jan 20, 2019

You have two basic choices - 1) do as your Owner's Manual recommends 2) since it's your tractor, your money - do as YOU wish.

I choose to do as my Owner's Manual recommended. My tractor was still under warrantee @ 50 hours. I didn't want to void the warrantee.

sixdogs · Jan 20, 2019

I use the tubs for mixing concrete and sold at Lowe's, etc for oil. For the trans, I do in approx 5 gallon amounts and temp put the plug back in. I dip it out with scoop made out of a gallon milk jug and rarely spill even a drop. Put the tractor in so we know more.