Kama 354X Fluids

Dave_Lilly · Jan 5, 2006

I took advantage of a recent warm spell to replace the original Chinese gear lubes in the four wheel drive and the transmission case. The fluid I drained from the front axle seemed to be a mix of some type of lube and a whitish looking gunk. When I went to drain the transmission the fluid gushed out like s*** through a goose, with mostly a very low viscosity fluid that was a rusty looking whitish color. I would like to replace the hydraulic fluid in the power steering and the 3 point lift, but I cannot find a drain or a refill for either one. Can anyone tell me how to drain and refill the hydraulics on a KAMA 354?

Thanks for any help

RonMar · Jan 5, 2006

A white or creme coloration to lube oil is usually a sign of water contamination. Did you flush the front diff and gearbox cases with kerosene? If not, I would highly reccomend filling the cases to their normal level with kero and running the tractor around the yard for a bit to mix up/dilute the leftover crap oil and flush as much of the gunk out as possible. My Jinma didn't fully drain and there is a considerable ammount of oil left in the cases after the drainplugs are removed.

As for the hydraulic drain, I don't have a specific answer for your Kama. On my Jinma 284, the drain plug is pretty small and located on the left rear, just below the toplink plate bolted to the rear of the 3PH/hydraulic resovoir assembly. Mine uses a regular bolt as the drainplug so it dosn't really jump out at you as being a drain.

bluechip · Jan 5, 2006

The drain is a plug on the right rear lower corner of the lift box (as if you were seated facing forward). It MAY have a hyd line attached if you have a loader using power beyond plumbing, but it is thehydraulic drain. For the steering, you can just loosen the connection at the pump and let it run down, it is only a couple quarts (separate resevoir under hood)

Scozz · Jan 5, 2006

Dave I was pleasantly suprised when I changed the fluids on my KM454. I was expecting the worst based on the many posts regarding the chinese fluids. Mine came out looking "good"; decent viscosity with little to no debris (very small amout of metal shavings associated with break-in). I don't know, maybe I was just fortunate and happened upon a load of good fluids. The hydraulic fluids were changed by the dealer when they installed the Koyker loader ... refill on the hydraulics is right behind/under the drivers seat ... on mine I have to move the seat forward to get to it...enjoy your tractor ... Scozz

AR15MIKE · Jan 5, 2006

I have a Kama 354, I love it!! The fluid they put it in is yucky whitish in color, true. Chinese crud. i changed mune as soon as I bought it new and thats what it looked like. If you look through this site, I believe it was Chip that posted a fluid chart for recommended fluids, I used them and this tractor runs super smooth!!

3RRL · Jan 5, 2006

Hi guys,
I had the same crud come out of my KAMA 554 and started a thread in the oil, fuel and lubricants forem. There was TONS of feed back on the thread. You may want to check it out to pick up some valuable information, as I did.
CLICK HERE

bluechip · Jan 5, 2006

the chinese fluids are sort of reddish, if they are white they got wet. Varies some with time of year, humidity, condensation, rain melting snow, whatever...

Dave_Lilly · Jan 7, 2006

I'm not sure this is the proper procedure to thank all who responded to my post, due to my confusion about how to reply,but thanks to all who replied.
My KAMA only has 7 hours on it, so I'm convinced that my dealer did not change any fluids. Evidently the Chinese really do use crap for lubricants or maybe the drum they used to fill my KAMA was located too close to the Port-A-Potty.
I used a garden sprayer to spray kerosene into the fill fittings until it ran clear, then reinstalled the drain plugs and refilled with 80W90. I'll put a few more hours on the tractor then do another fluid change.
Might do the same on the hydraulics if the Chinese hydro fluid is as bad as their gear lube.