Transmission Oil Change Frequency

[Hilbilly]

My manual calls for changing the transmission oil / fluid and filter every 150 hrs. This seems excessive to me and wonder why so often. The oil and filter runs about $300 each time. The first change was at 50 hrs and I understand the need for that but every 150 hrs after that just seems to be too much. I haven't been doing it that often and now have just over 500 hrs on the tractor and will do my third change out today, along with other routine maintenance stuff.

My diesel trucks don't require auto transmission fluid changes any where near that often and they get a lot of hard, high speed use. Any ideas why the tractor is so often?

 

[davesl708]

My little BX wants a trans change every 300. I found when I bought it used three years ago the trans fluid had not been changed ever. It had 1100hrs on it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That seems excessive. Mine called for 50 hours then 500, 1000, 1500, ect.

Chris

 

[oosik]

You are correct - it does seem excessive. Mine is - first at 50 hours then every 600 after that. Hydraulic filter changes are at 300 hour intervals. I have already decided to totally drain down the hydraulic fluid on the filter change rather than attempt the change with the tractor full of fluid. The "full of fluid" change sounds like a total disaster - and my hide is soft enough without a hydraulic fluid bath.

 

[Hilbilly]

You are correct - it does seem excessive. Mine is - first at 50 hours then every 600 after that. Hydraulic filter changes are at 300 hour intervals. I have already decided to totally drain down the hydraulic fluid on the filter change rather than attempt the change with the tractor full of fluid. The "full of fluid" change sounds like a total disaster - and my hide is soft enough without a hydraulic fluid bath.

I agree. There is no way I would try changing the filter without draining the oil first. I could just imagine the mess I would have on the shop floor.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go with the 500 hr cycle after this.

 

[jd870]

my MF 1529 calls for the first hydraulic oil change at the first 50 hours,then every 300 hours.

 

[txdon]

You may want to check any * or numbers next to hours. Maybe just the filter some of those times.

 

[DK35vince]

Mine is - first at 50 hours then every 600 after that. Hydraulic filter changes are at 300 hour intervals. I have already decided to totally drain down the hydraulic fluid on the filter change rather than attempt the change with the tractor full of fluid. The "full of fluid" change sounds like a total disaster - and my hide is soft enough without a hydraulic fluid bath.

I have done a couple "Full of fluid" filter changes on my machine and it wasn't bad. Easier than draining/refilling the system for a filter change IMO.
I just made sure my replacement filter was within quick reach once the old filter was off.

My Kioti DK 35 (gear drive) calls for a filter every 200 hours and fluid change every 300 hours.
But that's not what it gets. I do a filter change every 400 hours and the fluid every 800 hours.

 

[corl]

I've changed the hydrostatic and hydraulic filters on my MX5100 without draining the oil. I drive the front wheels up on a 30 degree slope and the oil all goes into the back of the transmission and the filters just lose the oil that is in them.

 

[Hilbilly]

Lots of great info here. I'm pretty sure the maintenance schedule calls for the filter and oil to be changed at the same time but will double check to make sure.

I like the idea of driving the front up an incline to just change the filter. If my manual calls for different time intervals for the oil and the filter I will give it try next time.