jaydee325
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2013
- Messages
- 1,204
- Location
- Casco, Mi
- Tractor
- John Deere X584 Garden Tractor & LS R3039H
I didn't find it necessary to use the shop vac, I placed a small bucket under the tractor, spun off the old filter and quickly put the new filter back on with a loss of about 1 quart of oil. I put that quart of oil into a glass jar to inspect it. And I noticed the color of the hydro fluid is very dark for only 50ish hours of work... assuming the color of it was light gold when it went in. Dark hydraulic oil may not be completely bad but its signs of HEAT... oxidation and contamination.
Unlike a gear tractor, these HST are really putting the hydro fluid to work and it might not be a bad idea to change the fluid more often then the recommended 250-300 hours.
Also there are no zerks on the tractor itself... only the loader/backhoe
Oil color tells you next to nothing. Oil analysis is the only reliable way to know for sure.
Always a good idea to check what ever oil cooling system is present (oil to air radiator or fan on the hydro unit itself). Keep these areas clean of debris.