RFM Gear Box Oil Change...

MicroPilot · Sep 14, 2004

Wasn't sure if I should post this in here, Part$Repairs, Attachements, or Oil folder!!

Anyhow, this could be a case of tractor newbieness, but what color should the oil in a 3PT implement gear box be? The reason I ask is I was greasing my RFM last night in preparation of cutting grass this evening, and decided to check the gear box oil level. I hadn't done this yet on this piece of equipment. When I cracked open the fill level plug a thick opaque, yellowish milky oil spewed out. Is this normal for the oil to look this way? It looks like a lot of water is mixed in with the oil.

My thought then was, "This isn't right, I'll drain it and put new in". How do I get ALL the oil out of the gearbox to put new oil in?

Jim_Fisher · Sep 14, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( When I cracked open the fill level plug a thick opaque, yellowish milky oil spewed out. Is this normal for the oil to look this way? It looks like a lot of water is mixed in with the oil. )</font>

Water will usually cause foam. Is the oil foamy?

I have a John Deere MX5 mower in which the oil has been light yellow from day one. After three years I can detect no change and no problems have arisen.

Here is a thread that might offer some insight MX6 Gear Box Oil Change.

Soundguy · Sep 14, 2004

Water will also cause a 'milk' emulsion look.

If it were me.. I'd change the oil in that gearbox with whatever the manufacturer recomends. ( probably an 80/90 or 84/140 oil.. but check the specs.. )

I've cleaned gear boxes out with diesel or mineral spirits. Obviously, the shape/size of the implement may complicate this. Got a hand pump or one of those fuel syphon pumps?

Perhaps you could dump the oil oil, pump the remains out.. put in some kero/diesel/ mineral spirits. Spin the shaft around a time or two, and then dump that stuff... maybee you can get it to drain thru the 'level' indicator hole if you tilt the implement back.. or hang it from a loader / tree .. or wick it out with a piece of clean cotton rope if there isn't much in there. Let it air dry for a bit, and then re-oil.

I'm sure others will give you more ideas.

Soundguy

slowrev · Sep 14, 2004

Soundguy,
I did pretty much as you did to flush out the gearbox on my bush hog. I used UTF to flush the box with as it is supposed to absorb water. Seemed to work well, had to use a suction gun to suck it back out. The sucker is a bit heavy to turn upside down and drain /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ben

MicroPilot · Sep 14, 2004

Hmmm, siphon/wick with rope. Thats an idea. I was thinking some plastic tube or maybe a turkey baster to suck the stuff out.

Sounds like though that milky looking oil is not right and I need to change it. I'll figure out some way to get the old crud out, and then flush it with diesel, and put new oil back in. Guess I'll have to check the gear box on the rotary cutter also.

markie61 · Sep 14, 2004

Try this suction gun - at harborfreight for $5.
Mark

slowrev · Sep 14, 2004

Suction guns are usually about $15 at most auto supply stores, Wall mart, etc.

Soundguy · Sep 15, 2004

If you got a suction gun or a turkey baster and thin tube.. that's the best way.. the wick method only works if you have cleaned the sump with a real thin solvent.. like mineral spirits or diesel / kero... those wick up real good... plain oil doesn't though.

good luck

Soundguy

BobCorazza · Sep 23, 2004

As mentioned, sounds like water contamination. I also use the Harbor Freight suction gun (works well on differentials also). My BefCo RFM kept blwing shaft seals, so I put 75w140 (as opposed to the 80w90 spec) synthetic gear oil & haven't had a problem since.

MicroPilot · Sep 23, 2004

I ordered a suction gun from Harbor Freight (olong with some wrenches and some hammers) and am awaiting delivery.

In the mean time I've used a piece of tubing and siphoned off about 16 - 20 oz of oil and refilled with new 80w-90. When the suction gun arrives I'll completely drain the gear box and rinse with diesel.

Thanks all for GREAT advice.