L39 Fifty Hour Service

[JimMorrissey]

What a nightmare! A stinking mess.......Everything is tightly located, all the filters are put on at the factory with an air hammer and there are mulitple drain plugs. I'm not a happy camper right about now. In fact, I'm covered in toxic hydraulic fluid and so are my tools. Maybe it'll be a bit easier next time, but I'm not looking forward to the 200 hour filter change. Was it worth doing myself to save the $150 in labor....? I'm not so sure.

By the way, the parts (oil and filters) were $280! I can't believe the hydraulic filters are $35 apiece.

 

[_RaT_]

I understand that hydraulic fluid is not toxic. Not that I want to drink it, but I think you will be OK. Things are going to be allright! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JimMorrissey]

Rat,

You're right /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I've had the night to calm down, but still I have to finish the job (install filter and fill with oil). I need to go buy some kind of pump to get the SUDT out of the buckets.

Speaking of toxic, I had rubber gloves on and the hydraulic fluid ate right though the gloves! They are the thin kind, but still....regular motor oil did not affect the rubber like that.

 

[BoneheadNW]

Jim-

Is this the first 50 service you have ever done on a tractor? I am probably several weeks away from my 50 hour service (given the current usage rate of my tractor) and was wondering if I could do the service myself. Transportation to my dealer is over $200 alone and I dont trust the dealer that is closer to my house (transport is $100 to that one).

Based on your experience, should I go for it (I hope you are thinking clearly after your toxic experience).

Bonehead

 

[tnuke]

Sorry to hear about your miserable experience Senor. One of the things I dickered with my dealer was for a free 50 hour service. I am nervous though that they are not going to be diligent and do everything realizing that they are not making any money on it.

Any tricks to make sure they at least undo filters and drain plugs? I thought about putting a little bit of tape on each one or marking it with a marker or paint that will come off easily. I just want to make sure they don't skimp and buy themselves a major repair down the road. Hope this is not hijaaaaacking a thread.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Bone,

This is the third service I've done, although all have been different models. I think it's just a nightmare no matter what the situation simply due to the sheer volume of fluids and numerous drains and filters. It's just inherently messy.

I would do it if I were you for that cost. Get a box of good disposable gloves and at least two rolls of paper towels. You'll need them. Also, make sure you have enough big empty containers to hold all the old hydro oil. Get some kitty litter "oil dry" too. Prepare yourself for the worst and you'll be fine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[_RaT_]

I've done the hydraulic fluid change twice on my L3830 HST, one at 50 and the other at 400. Both were very simple. I use hydraulic fluid in the front axle as well simply because it drains so much easier then gear oil. At my 400 hour change, I switched to all synthetic Chevron All Weather hydraulic oil. A few bucks cheaper then Super UDT and orange in color as well.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Rat,

I used to use Chevron in my BX. I had excellent results with it. I still use Chevron in my engine. It's a 15W-40 specifically made for diesels. Delo 400...The L manual calls for 10 weight...wonder if that will cause any problems.

http://www.chevrontexacodelo.com/

I also used the SUDT in the front axle.

 

[BoneheadNW]

I guess in the very worse case scenario, I start to do the service, screw up, and have to have the dealer come out and take the tractor. Nothing to lose except time, toxic fluid on my body (I deal with that on a daily basis anyway), and a mess to clean up. I have some time to prepare and coworkers that have serviced their tractors so it will be interesting.

Bonehead

 

[wushaw]

Doing the filters/oil service is not hard but the first thing I do is remove the FEL and any 3pt implement to make access to everything easier and just take your time and don't get into a hurry.