No Front Axle Fluid

[jerkyboy]

So I just finished installing my new HST and decide to do some other routine maintenance. I pull the dipstick on the front axle tube for the first time since I've owned the tractor and notice there's nothing in there!! I've had no issues thus far, but know it should be filled. What type of fluid should I fill it with and can I buy it at Advance Auto, NAPA, PepBoys, Walmart, etc?

 

[KennyV]

What tractor is it???
If it's a Kubota, you can use gear lube OR UDT... No you do Not NEED to use SUDT but you can if you wish...
Any UDT oil or any gear lube will be fine in your Front axle... KennyV

 

[bp fick]

When you re-fill it, either with gear lube or universal tractor fluid, you'll have to check it again and again. There are air pockets that make it difficult to actually fill it in one sitting.

 

[fredhargis]

Standard 90 weight gear lube is fine....just get some in there quick. The stuff from any of the places you mentioned would be what you need.

 

[TripleR]

Yep, agreed, I just picked up some 80-90 from my bulk distributor for our tractors.

 

[Kubota 2007]

If its really low, and that can be seen by using a home made dipstick, I would drain it and change it over to 90W. If you add the 90w to what's in there you'll be mixing oil's, I don't belive it will hurt anything, just not a good thing to do.

 

[bp fick]

Since you are in New York, I'd also consider using the 75w-90 in either semi or full synthetic. The flow rate can be a little better in the winter, in my experience. Shop it right, and there's little of no difference in cost, especially since the BX1500 isn't like to use more than a two or three quarts max.

 

[jerkyboy]

Thanks for the info. I have a couple quarts of 80/90W on the shelf in my garage and that's what I'm going to use. As far as winter usage goes, it won't make a difference as my tractor is only running spring-fall.

 

[DDM84]

I find it's quicker to use a 1 quart squeeze bottle with the tapered tip. Stick it in the small drain hole on the bottom of the finals and squeeze the oil in from there. You have to be quick with the plug but I've found that it saves a little "settling in" time. Then finish filling from the top.

 

[rmilho]

my BX now has 25 hrs on it. i was blowing the MMM, deck, radiator screen, etc after using it last night and remembered i read an older thread a while back about the front case axle oil always needing more after delivery. well, same as jerky discovered...not even registered on the stick. however, i could see the fluid down in the bottom...so it's not dry but definitely very low. i will call dealer and ask them what they 'set them up' with so i can use same weight oil.
if u are reading this and u have new/used tractor, it would be good (as many have warned) to check your front axle oil level...

 

[brucewj]

...i read an older thread a while back about the front case axle oil always needing more after delivery. well, same as jerky discovered...not even registered on the stick. however, i could see the fluid down in the bottom...so it's not dry but definitely very low....

Same happened to me. When I bought my 2660, the salesman went over all of the key points with me. He pulled the front axle plug, showed me how to check the fluid, etc. So I know it was full when I bought it.

After reading here that bx's often will have low oil in the front after using it a while I went and checked. Sure enough it was low. did not even show on the stick.

Thanks to the folks here for the heads up. I check it often and it has never been low again.