JD 3720 - Initial Service ???

[Willl]

Does JD use 'break-in oil' in their new engines ?

Regardless, to keep the warranty in check, I'll do as the book says.

 

[sunnyside360]

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

Actually, I will be changing fluids and filters at 50 hrs. However, I doubt if JD would specify 200 hrs if it increased the risk to damages which would be covered under warranty. But, there is a chance that the 50 hr maintenance interval was inadvertently omitted from the latest version of the Operator's Manual. I emailed JD today and will post their response.

 

[GreenMtns]

Does JD use 'break-in oil' in their new engines ?

Regardless, to keep the warranty in check, I'll do as the book says.

Yes, JD does use break in oil but I changed it at 50 hrs anyway. I refilled it with fresh break in oil and will do this at the start of each year until it get 200 hrs on the engine. Then I will switch to synthetic oil. That is what my dealer recommends.

Al

 

[sunnyside360]

Below is John Deere's email reply to my question. I doubt if they checked to see if by chance the 50 hr service interval was inadvertently omitted.

Like I said above I will be changing fluid and filters anyways at 50 hrs.
======================================================

Dear Mr. Bechdel,

Thank you for contacting our Web site.

The current version of the 3720's Operator's Manual indicates that the initial oil change should be at 200 hours or 1 year of use whichever may come first.

If we can be of further assistance, please call the Customer Contact Center at 1-800-537-8233. Our center is open 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST, Monday - Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST, Saturday.

Thank you,
Ken
John Deere Customer Contact Center

 

[sunnyside360]

It's interesting what answers you get from who. Just got back from the JD dealer with all fluids and filters for first change in my 3720 which has 49.5 hrs on the meter. Spoke to shop manager and he recommended changing engine and transmission oils and filters at 50 hrs even though the manual says 200 hrs for first change. Manager recommended using 10w-30 break-in oil for the first change and then switch to JD Plus 50 at 200 hr mark. This is to ensure the engine is broken in properly, especially rings, cylinder walls, & bearing surfaces. He seemed to know what he's talking about. It's also a little more insurance (or peace of mind) for the longevity of the tractor beyond the warranty.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

I am getting close to 50 hours. How hard is the transmission service to do?

In the manual link posted it did not say transmission change until 400 hours.

 

[browns40]

Hi Mike,

The transmission service is pretty easy--I drove up onto 2x8 to be sure I could get a 5 gal bucket under to drain tyhe fluid into (you'll need 2!)... also need a BIG filter wrench to remove the hyraulic filter under the machine... otherwise it's pretty straight forward...

Reach up behind where the filter sits (CLEAN hands of course) & see if you find any larger metal bits back there... thats where mine (not even 1/2 a BB's worth) were hanging out--too big go go into the filter, too heavy to get pushed out by the fluid.

Good Luck!

 

[Woody_NH]

I am getting close to 50 hours. How hard is the transmission service to do?

In the manual link posted it did not say transmission change until 400 hours.

Take a look at:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/jd-owning-operating/82563-report-3320-hydraulic-fluid-filter.html

 

[sunnyside360]

Holy smokes! JD dealer did not have the hydraulic filters yesterday so he ordered them and I picked them up today. The inline filter was almost $50 and the suction filter was almost $80. Anyways, this was a shock because I have two other tractors (Massey 1045 and Kubota M8200) and those hydraulic filters are all under $30 a piece. Napa does not list the JD 3720 filters so I guess there are no other options. If anyone has found another less expensive source please post. Thanks.

 

[Zinno87]

Holy smokes! JD dealer did not have the hydraulic filters yesterday so he ordered them and I picked them up today. The inline filter was almost $50 and the suction filter was almost $80. Anyways, this was a shock because I have two other tractors (Massey 1045 and Kubota M8200) and those hydraulic filters are all under $30 a piece. Napa does not list the JD 3720 filters so I guess there are no other options. If anyone has found another less expensive source please post. Thanks.

What did you purchase other that what is typically included in the JD filter kits? I'm not sure whether the suction filter or the inline filter is included in this kit, but it sure sounds like you paid a lot. I'm approaching the first service on my 4320 and I'm wondering if I'm missing something.

eBay: JOHN DEERE FILTER KIT FOR 4120 4320 4520 4720 TRACTORS (item 110116482893 end time Jul-17-07 09:12:05 PDT)

They have similar kits for the 3720 too.