3320 Oil Leak

[RG1]

I read that too, but I think I will take my axle dipstick into one of the dealers around here that sell bush hogs and see if I can find a gear box dipstick that matches mine for threads and make my own dipstick using one since they are vented.

 

[foggy1111]

Transmission and Hydraulic Oil
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Use recommended oil only. Do not use engine oil or Type F automatic transmission fluid.

Choose oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.
John Deere Low Viscosity HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid is recommended.
John Deere HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid may also be used for temperatures above -18? C (0? F).
Other oils may be used if they meet John Deere standard JDM J20C or J20D.

Checking Front Axle Oil Level

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Allow oil one hour to settle before checking level to ensure accurate dipstick reading. Repeat oil level check after several hours of operation.

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.) Allow machine to cool down for at least one hour.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Dirt and debris in oil may cause damage to the transaxle. Clean area around opening before removing dipstick.

2. Loosen and remove dipstick (A) located on right side of front axle.
3. Wipe dipstick clean with a rag. Install and tighten dipstick.
4. Remove dipstick again. Oil level should be indicated on the dipstick, but not above the full line (B). If oil level is low:
a. Add recommended oil through dipstick fill opening until oil level is correct.
b. Install and tighten dipstick.

5. Check front axle oil level again after the first several hours of operation.

Changing Front Axle Oil

1. Operate machine to warm front axle oil.
2. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)
3. Position drain pan under differential drain plug (A).
NOTE: The front axle contains approximately 5.0 L (1.3 gal) of oil.

4. Remove differential drain plug and allow oil to drain.
5. Position drain pan under axle drain plug (B) on both sides of front axle.
6. Remove axle drain plugs and allow oil to drain.
7. Install and tighten all three drain plugs after all oil has drained.
8. Remove dipstick (C) located on right side of front axle.
9. Add approximately 5.0 L (1.3 gal) of recommended oil into dipstick filler opening.
10. Install and tighten dipstick.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Allow oil one hour to settle before checking level to ensure accurate dipstick reading. Repeat oil level check after several hours of operation.

11. Check front axle oil level.

^^ This is a good dissertation?.but it does NOT tell me the answer to my question, which is / was: "what is the proper oil for the front axel?"

 

[RG1]

Did you see my post above? I took that right from my manuals.

 

[foggy1111]

Did you see my post above? I took that right from my manuals.

Yep…..I did see it. AND….thanks allot for the sounding board on this front axel affair. I'm off to see what happens next.

I was just handing out a few raspberries to woodtick for sending all that info…and not answering the question. Grin.

 

[RG1]

Oh, my bad. I guess I'm a little slow. I'd like to blame it on the weather, but I think I was like this before it got cold out. :laughing:

 

[Woodtick02]

^^ This is a good dissertation?.but it does NOT tell me the answer to my question, which is / was: "what is the proper oil for the front axel?"

Sorry that was a cut and paste from my manual. I put it in bold this time.

Choose oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.
John deere Low Viscosity HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid is recommended.
John Deere HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid may also be used for temperatures above -18? C (0? F).

 

[RG1]

Sorry that was a cut and paste from my manual. I put it in bold this time.

Choose oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.
John deere Low Viscosity HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid is recommended.
John Deere HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid may also be used for temperatures above -18? C (0? F).

That's for the trans. He's looking for the front axle oil recommendation.

 

[Woodtick02]

That's for the trans. He's looking for the front axle oil recommendation.

The front axles on both my old 3320 and my newer 3520 contain approximately 1.3 gallons of transmission oil. J20D or Low Viscosity HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid whatever you want to call it. Maybe Foggy has a different type of front axle or I'm just smoking crack?

 

[RG1]

The front axles on both my old 3320 and my newer 3520 contain approximately 1.3 gallons of transmission oil. J20D or Low Viscosity HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid whatever you want to call it. Maybe Foggy has a different type of front axle or I'm just smoking crack?

Really?!? Mine have all called for 80W-90 gear oil.

 

[foggy1111]

Well…..Good thing I didn't add any front axel lube yet. Grin

Went to my deer land, fired up the tractor….and checked the oil level in the front axel. It was full on the dipstick. ??? Maybe because I was over-full that the front axel bled some off?? Plowed some snow….and spun a tire off the rim…..about 1/2 mile from my shed. Grrrrrr Spent the afternoon getting the tire back on the wheel…...and finished plowing with more air in my tires. Duh.

Didn't hear any air vented when I cracked the plug…..but the front axel never really warmed up very much.

Winter is just too hard on stuff. I may make the seal repair (if any) wait till Spring. Found a dry spot on the floor to park the offending wheel. We'll see if it leaks after relieving the pressure via the plug.

 

[arlen4720]

Most, if not all of the new JD machines use Low vis hy-gard or regular hy-gard in the front axles. The 3x20's and the 4x20's definately call for it. I put regular hy-gard in my axle. I've pondered on it quite a bit, talked to my dealer about it, and even started a thread here on why not gear oil. The answer the dealer gave me was that gear oil would be OK, if you got the other oil flushed out good. But, he said that the rear final drives are running in hydraulic oil, so if its good enough for the rear drives, it's good enough for the front axle. I would think that gear oil would be less likely to leak, and that's why I went with regular instead of low vis hy-gard.
I think rear ballast is pretty important to front axle health also, I run 1000 pounds of steel on my 3 point.

 

[RG1]

Most, if not all of the new JD machines use Low vis hy-gard or regular hy-gard in the front axles. The 3x20's and the 4x20's definately call for it. I put regular hy-gard in my axle. I've pondered on it quite a bit, talked to my dealer about it, and even started a thread here on why not gear oil. The answer the dealer gave me was that gear oil would be OK, if you got the other oil flushed out good. But, he said that the rear final drives are running in hydraulic oil, so if its good enough for the rear drives, it's good enough for the front axle. I would think that gear oil would be less likely to leak, and that's why I went with regular instead of low vis hy-gard.
I think rear ballast is pretty important to front axle health also, I run 1000 pounds of steel on my 3 point.

That's really interesting to read. Thanks for posting.

They also make hi vis Hygard in case you didn't know. That's what the commercial ZTR's like mine use in their hydros. Might be a bit better yet for you. I would think the front gears all have to turn faster and thus have more wear in the same amount of time than the rears, so the added viscosity should be a plus.

 

[arlen4720]

That's really interesting to read. Thanks for posting.

They also make hi vis Hygard in case you didn't know. That's what the commercial ZTR's like mine use in their hydros. Might be a bit better yet for you. I would think the front gears all have to turn faster and thus have more wear in the same amount of time than the rears, so the added viscosity should be a plus.

I thought there was just Low Vis Hy-Gard (J20-D), and what I call just Hy-Gard (J20-C). I didn't know there was another one. What is it called? I use the J20-C in my front axle and in my commercial zero turn (997)

 

[RG1]

I thought there was just Low Vis Hy-Gard (J20-D), and what I call just Hy-Gard (J20-C). I didn't know there was another one. What is it called? I use the J20-C in my front axle and in my commercial zero turn (997)

The manual for my Z950A specifies it hi vis Hygard by that exact name. I've never seen it on my dealers shelves like I have the low vis and std Hygard. The only Deere application that I know of that calls for it are the transmissions in commercial ZTR's like mine. There may be others, but I am unaware of them.

 

[arlen4720]

The manual for my Z950A specifies it hi vis Hygard by that exact name. I've never seen it on my dealers shelves like I have the low vis and std Hygard. The only Deere application that I know of that calls for it are the transmissions in commercial ZTR's like mine. There may be others, but I am unaware of them.

They are talking about regular Hygard.

 

[RG1]

Maybe, but it's the only place I have ever seen them specifically say hi viscosity Hygard .

 

[arlen4720]

Maybe, but it's the only place I have ever seen them specifically say hi viscosity Hygard .

The electronic manual on the Deere Website for the Z950A just says "HY-Gard". Even if your manual says "HIi Vis", JD doesn't appear to have such a product. What did you put in your Z950A when you changed the hydraulic oil?

 

[RG1]

The electronic manual on the Deere Website for the Z950A just says "HY-Gard". Even if your manual says "HIi Vis", JD doesn't appear to have such a product. What did you put in your Z950A when you changed the hydraulic oil?

I haven't had to change this most recent one just yet, as I also use other mowers in my business.

On page 49 of my manual it says-

"Tractor is filled with John Deere High Viscosity Hy-Gard (J20C) transmission oil at the factory".

Do not mix oils.

Do not use type F automatic transmission fluid, JD20D Low Viscosity Hy-Gard, or Bio Hy-Gard."

So apparently, they are calling the J20C the Hi Vis Hy Gard.