Tractor maintenance

Jack Squat · Aug 19, 2007

Been a long time lurker here got my 790 back in February and started visiting several months before that. I visit regular besides being informative it痴 a hoot.

Got 46 hours on her now (would have been months ago were it not for the dang extreme heat wave & drought) and I am preparing for the 50 hour service.

Cleaning the suction screen - any tips on this part looks like the only potentially tricky area of the service and I get the impression that it is worse on other models.

Any comments on listed oil capacities versus actual (appears to be a lot of discrepancies on various models).

Brakes seem to be kind of squeaky is this normal?

Any special considerations about cleaning in the engine compartment I壇 like to keep that looking new as well, and it just seems odd to hose it down in there what methods and or any cleaners do you all use to do this?

I have a Frontier GM1060E RFM, and have scrutinized the manual extensively regarding the oil in the gearbox it does not give any clues about how to verify the level, nor how to fill it. Looking at the unit, I honestly don稚 see anything other than removing the breather vent as an option for both? Is that how to check it and fill it?

PS Podunkadunk how do I join that Roy Jackson fan club he痴 the MAN

NoMo · Aug 21, 2007

Glad you finally joined and posted!

Can't answer many of your questions, but it's my opinion that you follow the manual for capacities and "types" of fluids for YOUR tractor. There's a large discrepency in those things between models because not all the tractors are the same.

Jack Squat · Aug 21, 2007

Thanks for the reply and the welcome

I was getting down that no one had any input - or welcome

Had a lot of excitement and anticipation about registering and posting -
With all thoughs views, thought it was a new member initiation hazing or I had some how encrypted satanic references in my posting - every third letter backwards said something about Roys hat - thoughs horns you know

Anyway, I did purchase all JD fluids from my dealer with a little extra if needed

I also discovered - do not use apostrohes - messed my post up and could not see how to edit

Thanks again - maybe someone will chime in soon.

RoyJackson · Aug 21, 2007

It's pretty well explained in your manual (read the section on servicing the transmission). There's even pictures (in Owner's Manual OMLVU5440_B4). I've linked the online manual here. I pretty much just follow the manual and refer to the service manual (on CD) if required.

Other then being a dirty job (I attract hydraulic fluids and grease), it's not bad. Do wear goggles while you're under the tractor! I didn't have any problem with pulling the screen, but you get a bit of fluid with it. Make sure you wipe the area around the cap so you don't get any debris in there when reassembling.
I just blew it out with low pressure air and washed it with hydraulic fluid. (again...the goggles!

Make sure the container you use can hold about 5 gallons if you plan on changing the hydraulic fluid (which is not required...but you got to drain it to clean the screen and change the filter). BTW, based upon my dealer's recommendation, I didn't change the hydraulic fluid, filter or clean the screen until about 100 hours (actually, it was about 110 hours).

As far as fluid levels, I always leave it a bit low (½ quart estimated) and check it after the tractor sets a bit. I'm guessing the capacities are pretty close to what the manual calls out. If I need to add, I add...but I never fill to the top of the marks on the dip stick...always just a bit low (I don't want to drain excess).

As far as your brakes...well, I can't say I've ever heard mine squeaking during use. Maybe I just can't hear so well anymore. You can try running the tractor in a gear and keep your foot on the brake lightly. If there's a glaze on the shoes, that might break it up.

I don't clean my engine. With the work I do, it's never gotten that dirty.

jbrumberg · Aug 21, 2007

Jack Squat:

Welcome to TBN

! Roy's hat will grow on you after a while

. Jay

Jack Squat · Aug 21, 2007

Thanks for the info. Have seen the manual, was just wondering if there were any special things to look out for.

I have seen some posts on the Frontier from searches, but did not see anyone discuss maintaining the gear box level. Guess I'll pull the breather vent to take a peek.

I'll try to get a picture up here sometime soon.

RoyJackson · Aug 22, 2007

Jack Squat said:
Thanks for the info. Have seen the manual, was just wondering if there were any special things to look out for.

I have seen some posts on the Frontier from searches, but did not see anyone discuss maintaining the gear box level. Guess I'll pull the breather vent to take a peek.

I'll try to get a picture up here sometime soon.

The 790 is pretty simple and doesn't need much as far as maintenance. Definitely grease it every 10-15 hours. If you don't intend to use the loader for a while, park it somewhere...less to grease and less wear on the front axle.
It is worth getting the service manual (on CD-ROM). The price is about $50.

BTW, I change the engine oil annually. I never get 100 hours per year. I've had my 790 for 3 years now and I'm just cracking 200 hours.

madpogue · Aug 22, 2007

jbrumberg said:
Roy's hat will grow on you after a while

If you find anything of Roy's growing on you, there's a spray at TSC that will take care of it....

Ditto Roy on the 790 maintenance. Pretty-much everything requiring "routine" maintenance is within easy reach. We're close behind you, at 36 hrs (closing in on 50).

Cost of the CD service manual varies widely based on the serial number series. Who knows why. My only gripe about it is that it's one BIG gi-normous PDF file, with NO "indexing". That is, you get to the Contents, it tells you what "page" each section is on, but the Contents isn't set up as a set of "links" to the beginnings of the sections. And get this -- NO text search (the pages themselves apparently are NOT text). Still, it'll probably pay for itself the first time you use it.

But even the regular owner's manual has a LOT on maintenance, more than just operation info. For some reason, there's nothing on the tranny suction screen, though (other than when to do it). Don't see anything in the service CD either (but since there's NO text search GRRRR, it's hard to say).

Jack Squat · Aug 22, 2007

I was visiting the on line manual well before the purchase - to try and get familiar with the controls and also to get an idea on the maintenance needs.

I have been curious what the CD had on it above and beyond what the operators manual had. Can you give me any idea - ?

So does the mega PDF file open in your regular Acrobat reade/viewer/program? I would think your normal tools should be available with it.... which should include some search function ??

Thanks for your input

madpogue · Aug 22, 2007

Repair manual CD has pretty complete repair instructions for engine, tranny, steering, brakes, hydraulics, electrical, etc. Lots of parts explosion diagrams, etc. Yeah, it opens fine with Acrobat reader. But when you use the text select tool, only the first page (the title page) has selectable text. All the other pages (all 1000+ !!) are just images. Grrrr!! I don't mind that it's not indexed. I just wish I could say (for example) "Ctrl-F , 'screen'", and have it stop at each instance of the word.

Oh, and the owner's manual DOES have info on cleaning the tranny screen. It's just that in the "intervals" section, they call it the "Suction Screen", but in the tranny service section, they just call it the "screen". Clear as mud? (Or as old tranny fluid?

)

RoyJackson · Aug 22, 2007

Jack Squat said:
I have been curious what the CD had on it above and beyond what the operators manual had. Can you give me any idea - ?

So does the mega PDF file open in your regular Acrobat reade/viewer/program? I would think your normal tools should be available with it.... which should include some search function ??

Adobe Reader opens the manual, but I don't think it does much beyond that. I use Adobe Acrobat which isn't free (but I use it for work related stuff too). With Acrobat, you can index the pages and search. It's a nice, albeit expensive, program.

Like most manuals I've used, it assumes one is a pretty good technician in the field. Some things (like the hydraulic screen) are intuitive. Once you've done it...it's easy the next time (or, you've learned what not to do!).

The service manual is great if you expect to do your own work replacing components. It doesn't go into rebuilding the engine too deeply...but if one is familar with rebuilding engines, it could be done with the manual.

Mine was actually purchased when I had a Deere 670. There's a lot of similarity between the 670, 770 and 790's, so it works for me.

I do recommend the purchase...but don't expect the manual to teach you to become an automotive or tractor technician.

Jack Squat · Aug 22, 2007

Madpogue - I kind of missed that part about being an image - yikes that is bad.. guess to save time/cost in creating it. I had some experiance with a text converter software package that would take images of text and turn it into real text - varying degrees of success, but pretty good with a sharp clean image - why wouldn't they have done that? Yes - saw the part on the screen - but would have thought they would show the actual screen and or inside of its cover.

Roy - your 790 has a stack !! ?? what years had it - or was it a mod
It looks kind of manly

By the way all - I had rented and borrowed tractors before, but this is my first to have and to hold

It is the funest thing without a doubt.

RoyJackson · Aug 22, 2007

Jack Squat said:
Roy - your 790 has a stack !! ?? what years had it - or was it a mod
It looks kind of manly

My 790 is a 2003. Deere changed the stack to under the hood in 2005 or 2006.

BTW, it's ME that makes the tractor Manly...
The stack is just a phallic symbol

LOL, I wonder how long this post will last?

madpogue · Aug 23, 2007

Jack Squat said:
Madpogue - I kind of missed that part about being an image - yikes that is bad.. guess to save time/cost in creating it. I had some experiance with a text converter software package that would take images of text and turn it into real text - varying degrees of success, but pretty good with a sharp clean image - why wouldn't they have done that?

Yeah, I actually have noodled the idea of OCR'ing the whole thing, but yoiks, I think that would take a while. Thing is, sometime, somewhere, someone keyed that text in; why they couldn't have generated the PDF based on that text is

.

RoyJackson said:
LOL, I wonder how long this post will last?

You wonder how what???!? (This is the point where anything anyone says would make Beavis & Butthead go "huh-huh, huh-huh...")

(Actually, I thought the vertical exhaust stack was an option.)

ragkar · Aug 24, 2007

RoyJackson, thanks for your post and the link to the online manual. I read your post yesterday and today I'm looking up the manual to get the part number for a hydraulic line that burst on my 46 bh. The line was misrouted and pinched when I swung the boom.
Posts like yours are a big reason why I joined this forum.

RoyJackson · Aug 25, 2007

ragkar said:
RoyJackson, thanks for your post and the link to the online manual. I read your post yesterday and today I'm looking up the manual to get the part number for a hydraulic line that burst on my 46 bh. The line was misrouted and pinched when I swung the boom.
Posts like yours are a big reason why I joined this forum.

Here's a better site to find parts and part numbers: John Deere parts.

I recommend anyone owning a Deere register on that site. Older tractors are also listed on that site, but I've no idea how complete it is for older Iron.
You'll have to register to use the site. It has good parts breakdowns and exploded views. You can also order parts (shipped to your local dealer) right there.
BTW, if that line was installed by the dealer, that may be a warranty issue.

Willl · Aug 25, 2007

Welcome Jack.

Mine just hit 55 so I'm due for first service also.

Funny the CD topic came up, I just ordered all 3 yesterday.
I've got all 3 in paper form but wanted PDF format also.
Not at all pleased to here about this 'image ordeal'. That doesn't mean true PDF to me.

Jack Squat · Aug 25, 2007

Yes I joined because of all the knowledge here too. Thanks to Roy and many others for this fantastic resource. I agree about the John Deere parts - registered there a couple of weeks ago.

What is amazing is the growth of this site ..... also surprised at how many 790 owners are here and how many are near 50 hours.

I am still debating on the CD .... but it now makes sense why the on line manual is not a PDF....

RoyJackson · Aug 25, 2007

Jack Squat said:
I am still debating on the CD .... but it now makes sense why the on line manual is not a PDF....

None of the online manuals (that I looked at) were .pdf files (hence, not downloadable).

I am surprised about the CD-ROM though. My service manual is a .pdf. But, it is an older manual (for the 670, 770 with addendums for the 790's)