RK 37HC transmission capacity

[DonRybak]

The manual shows the transmission takes 9.2 gallons when serviced. Any idea if that figure includes the amount required by the FEL or do I need to have a couple quarts extra on hand.
Thanks from miserably hot and humid Florida........Don

 

[TractorTYMe]

If you fill to top of sight glass you should be ok, even tho nothing will hurt it if you're a couple of qts too much.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Gonna end up with 2 5gal buckets anyways. Fill to 9 gallons, run all the hydraulics, fill to top off.

 

[DonRybak]

Thanks for the replies...........

 

[DonRybak]

Well, today I did a service on the hydraulic/transmission. Back in August I noticed that I couldn't see the fluid level in the sight glass and I was approaching 150 hours. I hadn't really been keeping track of the hydraulic fluid level since the 50 hour service like I do the engine oil. Not knowing if the fluid level was down a gallon or 3 gallons I decided to just do a complete service. After draining the fluid and removing the filter I found that the filter they gave me was the wrong one. The one removed had a hole approximately 5/8" where as the one removed had about a 1" hole. I called RK and found out that the filter was mislabeled as one for the RK37 rather than the RK55. They swapped out the filter for me then after installing it I went to the last step in cleaning the transmission strainer. When I pulled that I don't see where that can strain anything. It looks to like nothing other than a cap with an o-ring to seal it. I was expecting a straining screen of some kind like on old Volkswagons. Am I missing something? After completing all these steps and adding 9 gallons of fluid, the fluid can't be seen in the sight glass. The rep at RK gave me 5 two gallon containers of transmission fluid so now I wondering if I go by the quantity in the manual of 9.2 gallons or add the other gallon and see if it shows in the site glass?

Did other RK37 owners have the same issue with the transmission strainer and the amount of oil added?

Thanks....Don

 

[Midniteoyl]

Don't know about the strainer, but you very well could need more fluid than the manual states as I assume you have a loader, correct? If the manual says the oil should be within the sight window, then you should fill it until it is. Making sure you are on level ground, of course. PTO and bucket lowered to the ground usually.

 

[DonRybak]

Thanks midniteoyl. That's kind of what I was thinking but was hoping that some RK37 folks would chime in if they experienced the same thing when they did their service. Today I'll look at the parts break down to see what it shows for the strainer or call the tractor guys at the store where I bought it.

 

[DonRybak]

I looked at the parts break down and it just shows the cap as the only thing there. The description used in the parts catalog is suction cup. Beyond me as to what it does or how it could clean anything.

When I bought the supplies the rep gave me five 2 gallons jugs of fluid. I'll add the remaining gallon to see if that brings the level up to the sight glass..........Don

 

[Midniteoyl]

That looks like the strainer cap. Is there not a strainer inside? Few inches long like this (from John Deere):

 

[DonRybak]

The link for the photo doesn't open for me. Nope, nothing inside. That's the reason I looked at the parts catalog thinking if there was a screen element suppose to be there it would show that.

 

[Midniteoyl]

The link for the photo doesn't open for me.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I found the parts manual online, but didnt see one listed either. RK seems to only list the parts they are willing to sell as many were missing.

 

[DonRybak]

I looked in there with the cap removed and it only goes back about maybe 3 inches then there's something solid there. I added the last gallon of fluid and the l;evel still isn't visible in the site glass. I'm parked on a cement driveway and I set all the tire pressures to ensure it's level. I drove it to the station to fill it with fuel and everything seems fine with the FEL, 3 point and trans. I'll probably do some digging on the TYM site and forums since they build the RK's. Thinking abouit buying a 55 gallon drum of trans oil just to show that sucker.

Thanks for the interest Midniteoyl...........

 

[Midniteoyl]

I looked in there with the cap removed and it only goes back about maybe 3 inches then there's something solid there. I added the last gallon of fluid and the l;evel still isn't visible in the site glass. I'm parked on a cement driveway and I set all the tire pressures to ensure it's level. I drove it to the station to fill it with fuel and everything seems fine with the FEL, 3 point and trans. I'll probably do some digging on the TYM site and forums since they build the RK's. Thinking abouit buying a 55 gallon drum of trans oil just to show that sucker.

Thanks for the interest Midniteoyl...........

I wouldn't put anymore oil in until you get some feedback from other owners. I saw one forum with a guy who claims to have found 3 'errors' in the manual so far in relation to maintenance, but never actually said what they were.

Weird on the strainer too.. Should be *something* in there.

Hope someone else chimes in.. Good luck. Let us know if you figure things out.

 

[DRPsRK37HC]

I have the RK37HC Parts Catalog and it shows the location of hydraulic system strainer, that you're inquiring about, located on the lower, left-hand side of the transmission housing; as referenced from the driver's seat. See attached excerpt from Parts Catalog.

 

[DonRybak]

Thanks DRP........ That's what I've been looking for. From the picture in the manual I never would have guessed that it had a hose attached to it. Picture doesn't really explain a lot.

Thanks again..........

 

[BlazersRK37]

I know this is an older post. But I have a rk37 shuttle shift and it does in fact have a strainer. It’s about 10 inches long and I even got an extra for rural king to have just in case. But mine being a shuttle and not a hydro trans it does not have a screw on type trans/hydraulic filter like your hydrostatic trans does. Maybe the hydro needs the better screw on filter?? And the shuttle doesn’t?? Idk but mine has a 1 inch pipe connected to the other end of the screen filter. That yours must not have. Because my screen filter has a hose barb sticking out of it and not like the one in the picture being pulled out with pliers. I think the manuals really suck. One place says mine holds 4 quarts of oil. Another says over 5.

 

[BlazersRK37]

 

[DonRybak]

Thanks Blazer......... I decided I wasn't going to lose 9 gallons of transmission oil removing the strainer for cleaning since the oil was so clean and the magnetic plug had no residue on it. I'll do another change in 100 hours or just so to be safe and will clean it at that time. I guess I could check with the rep at my local RK and see if pulling the screen allows the oil to drain out.

Thanks again.......Donm

 

[BlazersRK37]

Thanks Blazer......... I decided I wasn't going to lose 9 gallons of transmission oil removing the strainer for cleaning since the oil was so clean and the magnetic plug had no residue on it. I'll do another change in 100 hours or just so to be safe and will clean it at that time. I guess I could check with the rep at my local RK and see if pulling the screen allows the oil to drain out.

Thanks again.......Donm

It will definitely allow the oil to come out when filling the strainer. Unfortunately. I drained like 10 gallons and when I pulled mine still drained a lot more. But the hole for strainer leads directly in the pan where the oil is. Have a good one man.