Oil & Fuel JD X500 Transaxle Oil Change

[parsonbw]

What is the proper way to change transaxle oil and filter (if needed), on the JD X500?
On the X500, do you have to remove the deck? Owners manual a little vague on the 500.
I have been told that no need to change transaxle oil in the 500 without the hydraulic
lift. What say you?

 

[rekees4300]

I have X500 but haven't changed transaxle oil yet. The owner's manual says to remove the mower deck but I don't know why that would be necessary so long as you can put drain pan under the 2 drain plugs. Confusion comes in because instructions apply to X530, X534, X540. Those have hydraulic filter but X500 doesn't. According to page 33, the transaxle oil should be changed at first 50 hours then every 200 hours.

 

[parsonbw]

Thanks reekees4300. I thought along the same lines.
Sometimes owner's manuals are a little fuzzy.

 

[sshaw]

I've got the X540 and changed the transaxle oil at the 50 hr mark. I took the deck off. I don't think it would be easy to access the drain plugs and filter, or see what was going on under there, with the deck on.

The biggest problem I had was accessing the filler plug on top to refill. I had to attach some tubing to a funnel and I still ended up spilling a mess of fluid on top of the transmission.

I would most definitely NOT skip changing the fluid, especially the first change at 50 hrs when you might get rid of some metal shavings. You'd risk damaging the transmission and that would be an expensive and easily avoided mistake.

 

[parsonbw]

I've got the X540 and changed the transaxle oil at the 50 hr mark. I took the deck off. I don't think it would be easy to access the drain plugs and filter, or see what was going on under there, with the deck on.

The biggest problem I had was accessing the filler plug on top to refill. I had to attach some tubing to a funnel and I still ended up spilling a mess of fluid on top of the transmission.

I would most definitely NOT skip changing the fluid, especially the first change at 50 hrs when you might get rid of some metal shavings. You'd risk damaging the transmission and that would be an expensive and easily avoided mistake.

Thanks, sshaw. I'll take it to dealer for 50hr transaxle oil change. I'm too old to handle the
deck change. Would get lost in the process, but certainly want it changed. Everyone says
it's easy, but I'm afraid to tackle it myself. (again better done by pros? )
Thanks for response.

 

[greg_g]

I had to remove the deck on my X500, there's not enough clearance to insert a decent drain pan. Don't envy you the job either. Gravity helps removal, replacement is a *****. I'm gonna trade mine for a diesel before the next transaxle fluid change

//greg//

 

[Gator6x4]

I've got the X540 and changed the transaxle oil at the 50 hr mark. I took the deck off. I don't think it would be easy to access the drain plugs and filter, or see what was going on under there, with the deck on.

The biggest problem I had was accessing the filler plug on top to refill. I had to attach some tubing to a funnel and I still ended up spilling a mess of fluid on top of the transmission.

I would most definitely NOT skip changing the fluid, especially the first change at 50 hrs when you might get rid of some metal shavings. You'd risk damaging the transmission and that would be an expensive and easily avoided mistake.

For those hard to reach fill locations, I purchased a transmission funnel. They are long and slender and will reach the hidden location spots.