More on leaking axle seals and vents

[Rob-D]

I agree, and that's why I am encouraging you to continue this experiment.

I think too many folks mysticize the back-room alchemy that goes on in
the design of a tractor, its subassemblies, or other product. The reality is
that the design engineers and the manufacturing engineers make trade-offs
just like in the "real world". These trade-offs may over-emphasize some
factors over others: cost, ease of manufacture, ease of maintenance,
longevity, etc. Like your comment that maybe the assembly line can
get away with one less fluid to dispense. These trade-offs are not the
same ones that you, the owner, would prefer.

I am not saying that I know "better" than the JD engineers, but I have been
a design engineer before and I know that we made numerous less-than-
ideal trade-offs to get a product made that was competitive and timely.

Re filling the front axles, I am SO glad my Kioti has fill port on both sides,
because draining and filling is not easy. It takes a long time for the oil
to properly settle at the correct level on each side. The sight glass does
not work as well as a dipstick however.

I'm not sure DF, I took out the vent I made on my 3320. I want to observe it for awhile and see if my oil is going down for sure. If it's not then there is no reason to vent it. Slight pressure won't do any damage and if the oil isn't going down then the pressure isn't enough to push past the seals. If the oil does go down then I'll act.
As far as design engineers, I've been there too. It doesn't make sense to me that Deere would redesign the box and go to a different oil if all that was needed was a cheap vent.
What I think I'll do is contact Deere and see exactly what they have to say about why the axles aren't vented.

Right now the jury is still out and quite a few folks here are saying they have no oil leak problems and no front axle problems. For all we know Deere went with a different seal that was capable of withstanding higher pressure.

Rob

 

[arrabil]

Everything is disassembled.... new thread link HERE.