metal in hydraulic oil

cornshucker · Apr 2, 2009

I bought a used MF 5455 from a dealer and changed the hydraulic and transmission oil and the filters had quite a bit of metal in them. I cannot hear no noise like a gear or bearing going bad. I know that wet disc brakes contribute some metal in the oil but this seems excessive. The tractor has a wet clutch and a power shuttle transmission with a two speed powershift. I know that a lot of 30, 40, 50, and 55 series John Deeres had a lot of problems with metal in the oil. I have changed oil in numerous tractors for us and other people and have seen some amounts of metal on the oil usually from the wet disc brakes but like I said this seems excessive. the tractor has 4 filters in it, one suction hydraulic filter and one high pressure hydraulic filter and a filter for the wet clutch and the power shuttle. Wonder if any of you has heard of any cases of this in these series of tractors.

MFRED · Apr 2, 2009

How many hours are on it? When is the last time it was serviced?

chh · Apr 2, 2009

On my new 5455 I noticed very little metal in the 2 filters at the intial filter change(supposed to have been 100, I ended up doing it at 200

). I have not changed the main filter yet(400 hrs). I have not heard of any problems with the 5455's with Dyna 4 trans in them. How many hours are on yours and do you have any idea when it was last serviced?

cornshucker · Apr 5, 2009

912 hours. Don't know the last time it was serviced.

slowzuki · May 27, 2009

I'll add in what I find. My 5455 is a speedshift with powershuttle at the 4000 hour mark. Just bought it and I think the last few service intervals may have been skimped on.

What a pile of money to buy the filters! 2 air, 1 engine oil, 1 fuel, 4 hydraulic! The hydraulic ones are not cheap either. The 2 o-ring "kit" for the main hydro filter was 45$, I think I'll check the condition first.

As soon as they come in I'll change them.

As for wear points to look at when it gets old: The tilt steering teeth wear, 50$ to replace. Back window lever breaks, 36$. The plastic panel over the top cab lights seems to break on all the high houred ones.

chh · May 28, 2009

When you buy MF/Agco filters ask if they have the filter in the "Heritage" line. That line is quite a bit cheaper(cheaper than Napa) and in most cases seems to be the same filter in a plain package. I don't think the 5455 hydraulic filters though are available in that line. If you think the fuel filter price was bad, check on the newest one for the tier 3 engines(filter is 2X $ of the old style) plus they have a prefilter that you are supposed to change the screen in. I am sure glad mine was one of the last of the tier 2 engines.
On the mirrors mentioned on the other thread, last year there was a company on Ebay selling what appeared to be the identical mirror for much less than MF wanted for them. I didn't order them for mine though, waiting to see how much of a pain the smaller ones are roading the equipment this year. The smaller ones are sure better in fields with a lot of trees around.

slowzuki · May 28, 2009

Thats what I was thinking on the mirrors. I'm constantly folding my Kubotas mirrors on brush. My next big purchase will be front fenders. THe dealer wants almost 700$ for them. I'm sure they can be had elsewhere.

My bill so far for parts seals and filters is almost 1000$. I'm gonna be busy. Heck of a down payment to swallow.

Plus my Kubota decided to start leaking oil out one of the front axle seals right before a buyer came to see it.