JD 3720 - Initial Service ???

[sunnyside360]

My 3720 is approaching 50 hrs so I checked the owner's manual to see what service needs to be performed. SURPRISE!! Nothing specified until 200 hrs or one year whichever comes first. All of my previous tractors (six) specified service at 50 hrs, eg, engine oil & filter, transmission oil & filter, front diff oil.
I plan to call the dealer next week but they will likely "go by the book". What initial service are all you 3x20 owners doing? TIA John B.

 

[radman1]

The owners manual does state the first service is at 50 hours.

 

[Woody_NH]

My 3720 is approaching 50 hrs so I checked the owner's manual to see what service needs to be performed. SURPRISE!! Nothing specified until 200 hrs or one year whichever comes first. All of my previous tractors (six) specified service at 50 hrs, eg, engine oil & filter, transmission oil & filter, front diff oil.
I plan to call the dealer next week but they will likely "go by the book". What initial service are all you 3x20 owners doing? TIA John B.

As radman has indicated, the manual (page 46) calls for change of engine oil and filter after first 50 hours.

Some time ago I wrote about a rockshaft problem on my 3320 at 66 hours and the dealer had advised to also change the transmission oil and filter at 50 hours, see:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/jd-owning-operating/82563-report-3320-hydraulic-fluid-filter.html

 

[sunnyside360]

My owner's manual in the service interval section (page 46) indicates 200 hrs or one year whichever comes first -- no mention of engine oil & filter change at 50 hrs. This is why I asked the question. My tractor was built in early March 2007 and I took delivery in mid March 2007 (I ordered it with features I wanted) and am thinking they may have changed the owner's manual. My manual is version OMLVU17926 H5 - English. At any rate it is probably a good idea to change oil & filter at 50 hrs service.
In reference to transmission/hydraulic oil & filter my manual states 400 hrs. I am wondering about this also as it seems like a very long time for initial oil which could have metal filings from manufacture. Your experience/post should be helpful for doing this. Thanks.

 

[sunnyside360]

John Deere's website has a copy of the 3X20 Operator's Manual and it also specifies changing engine oil and filter at 200 hrs or one year.

OMLVU17926_H5

 

[Willl]

Try this one.

Service Intervals

 

[sunnyside360]

Try this one.

Service Intervals

This is word-for-word what is stated in my operator's manual which I received with the tractor 3 mos ago. No mention of 50 hr initial service, only 200 hrs or 1 yr whichever comes first. I will contact John Deere to see what is correct.

 

[Greyfields]

My 4120 also specified the first oil change at 200 hours, not 50.

 

[AKfish]

Let's see.... previous tractors -- six. Changed oil at 50 hrs. Check.

New Deere manual says 200 hrs. Cost savings for Deere? improved engines, oils, filters? Maybe..

How much would it cost to change the oil and filter yourself? Minimal... Good insurance, cheap insurance... Yes.

If it were my brand new, shiny, intercooled turbo diesel 3720... would I change the oil and filter and the hydraulic filter at 50 hrs?

YES. YES. YES.

AKfish

 

[browns40]

I changed engine oil & filter; hydraulic oil & filter, drained & replaced the front axle oil... all at 50 hours.

In the front axle, I found little bits of metal, and the fluid shimmered from metal particulates from normal wear/manufacturing "leftovers"...

In the transmission, the fluid was pretty clean (course thats a LOT of oil!), but in behind the hydraulic filter I found a couiple metal shavings/scraps...

The engine oil was barely blackened by then... 200 hours seems like a long time to have to "break in"... maybe there's a difference between the JD's & Yanmars?... maybe longer is recommended for both to break in now?

What I do know is: I could have lets those fluids sit, could have taken a chance there were no manufacturing remnants (they come in all colors!), could have taken a chance that remnants weren't going to add any more metal to my metal to metal contact or push around through my pumps.

I'm glad I did not take the chance...instead, I knew exactly what was what... it probably will make no difference... but I KNOW I removed particles from my fluids by doing the preventative maintenance early, so...

I consider the owners manual to be the minimum standard needed to protect my warranty (after break-in), but the owner determines what maintenance gives them piece-of-mind.