Meeting or exceeding the maintenance recommendations.

[MrWhippy]

Generally, I follow the manufacturer's recommendations on service. There are a few things that I tend to exceed recommendations (greasing pivots, coolant changes) and a couple things that I don't fully meet recommendations (checking wheel lug nuts every 10 hours, checking oil level every 10 hours or weekly, etc).

I've been following a couple threads dealing with the first 50 hour service. Maybe some manufacturers recommend replacing all the hydraulic fluid with the filter change, but NH doesn't and I'm wondering if others are just following recommendation or are people just being extremely cautious. I understand the engine oil and filter change logic, but honestly, I don't see the hydraulic system being as prone to swarf as the engine is (and there IS a big filter in the system just in case).

Opinions?

 

[jenkinsph]

I think some of the guys are a little over enthusiastic about fluid changes but it doesn't hurt anything. What is best is to make sure the lof's are kept up over the life of the tractor. Lug nuts, first 100 hours I checked mine several times to make sure everything stayed tight. Mine are torqued and paint striped and these are checked when cleaning the machines. My 110tlb is coming up on 1000 hours soon and I will go over everything in my shop to make sure it is in good shape.

 

[TripleR]

I pretty much go by the manual; have seen no need not to; others will always differ and exceed the recommendations "cheap insurace" is an often used reason and as mentioned it won't hurt.

This is just my opinion as asked and can't claim any significant mechanical knowledge. I do rely on my mechanic brothers and those at my dealership to form these opinions.

 

[roush9799]

I checked my wheels after the first 10 hours, all was tight. I normally don't, but the last grain cart we got I forgot and some of the lugs fell off before I did it. Luckily I didn't loose a wheel. I would think after you checked them and they were all still tight, I wouldn't worry about them until I had a wheel off. Good to check the first time, would hate to see a wheel come off on a slope causing a rollover. Fluids, I change the engine oil and filter by the book. I change the hydro filter and oil after break in, but then change the filter only a few time before I'll change the fluid out again. Coolant, if I do like my 855, it'll never get changed.

 

[creekbend]

I do a walk around inspection of my tractor before jumping on the seat and starting. I adhere to the recommendations from my Owners Manual.

 

[masscity]

After I made my price deal with the dealer I asked him if he would throw in free fluids and filters for the 50 hour PM. He did including HST fluid which it doesn't call for changing.