Lessons Learned From First i3030 Oil Change

[kpbeddin]

Hi all,
I just finished the 50 hour oil/filter change on my i3030 and wanted to share a couple of things that may apply to others: First of all, I luckily figured out that the owner's manual (written for the i3030 and i3040) is incorrect as it gives the same crankcase capacity for both models. Something made me question this so I measured the amount that I drained out and found it to be about 3 quarts less that what the manual stated as the capacity.
Now here is something that I should have thought a little harder about: There are two drain plugs on my tractor (even though the manual only mentions and shows one). Of course I only removed one to drain the oil. After replacing with new oil, I took a closer look and saw that the shape of the oil pan requires that both plugs be removed to get all of the old oil out. Because of this, I left a 1/2 qt or so of old oil in the crankcase. Oh well, I usually change oil in my equipment much more frequently than the manufacturer recommends so I will fully drain and put new oil in after another 50 hours. Hopefully this may help other i3030 owners and maybe some s3010 owners out there. Other than these issues, everything else went as expected and the whole job only took a few minutes.

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

Good catch -- thanks for sharing. I've only got 20 hours on my S3010 (we have a "long distance" relationship) and I've had it since Jan 2010. I really wanted to get it up to 50 hours before changing out the fluids in case they have some special "break-in" additives in the initial lubricants. Thinking I'll have to change them out no matter what if I don't have the 50 hours on it before the end of this summer. Opinions?

 

[Gary Fowler]

I dont think I would worry about changing it till 50 hours if you are close to a year more or less. I have the same "long distance relationship" with my tractor. When I am home, I burn about a tank of diesel per trip, but then it sets under my shed for 2 months. I dont plan to change the oil till I get closer to 50 hours (29 right now according to the Hr. Meter but it actually has about 10 more than that as the meter had a short in it an quit working for a couple days and then started back up) Mine wont be a year old till Oct2011 so I have more time before my standard yearly change. I think my first change will be the hydraulic filters as mine is developing a start up whine for a few seconds that concerns me a bit. I may change this before the 50 hours just to see what happens.