Oil & Fuel John Deere 4300 HST Oil in transmission and gearboxes question

[paulcapasso]

Hello everyone!
I'm new to the tractor community and recently purchased a 2002 JD 4300 HST. Great machine!! I want to change all the fluids since I'm the new owner and confused on what oils to use.... Is Hy-gard used in both the HST transmission and rear axle? or GL5 in rear axle?? Also the front axle smells like GL5. If anyone can give me any info that would be great!!! Thanks! Paul

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to TBN
You are correct on the front axle...it is GL5

The HST tranny and rear axle are all one system, and IIRC about 7 gallon, so need a big pan to collect when draining.

 

[paulcapasso]

Awesome! The book seems to say it's 2 separate areas.. Now what can I use in place of the JD20 and it's very expensive pricetag??

 

[rekees4300]

I know it sounds nuts but if you respect your 4300 by using only JD products, it will respect you and purr like a kitten for a very long time.

 

[paulcapasso]

What about a system flush with other product JD Approved then add the JD product?

 

[paulcapasso]

@beenthere What do you refer to the IIRC? that's a additional 7 gal???

 

[beenthere]

IIRC (if I recall correctly).
I looked, and the hydrostatic tranny takes 6.8 gal. total. Plan on changing out the filter and clean the screen.
The front axle gear case takes 4.1 gt.
Do you have the manual and the tech manual?

And I use the JD products. I'll save penny's on something less important than my tractor.

 

[RoyJackson]

IIRC (if I recall correctly).
I looked, and the hydrostatic tranny takes 6.8 gal. total. Plan on changing out the filter and clean the screen.
The front axle gear case takes 4.1 gt.
Do you have the manual and the tech manual?

And I use the JD products. I'll save penny's on something less important than my tractor.

I do the same....it's not as if the hydraulic oil is changed that frequently. IIRC, it's at 500 hour intervals (about 4-5 years for me).
Same with engine oil and filters...every 100 hours or annually (whichever comes first)...it's just not that expensive.

 

[paulcapasso]

Ok so I don't have to change the JD20 I just ordered for atleast the next 500 hrs?? but Engine oil every 100? I'll have 100 hrs on it again by October. Can I use Synthetic oil? I'm a fan of Mobile 1. 15w-40 if not mistaken for engine oil?

 

[RoyJackson]

Ok so I don't have to change the JD20 I just ordered for atleast the next 500 hrs?? but Engine oil every 100? I'll have 100 hrs on it again by October. Can I use Synthetic oil? I'm a fan of Mobile 1. 15w-40 if not mistaken for engine oil?

You can change engine oil at whatever frequency makes the most sense to you. My tractor hasn't seen 100 hours in any year, but I think it's prudent to change it at minimum, once a year.
As far as using synthetic, as long as the oil meets Deere specs, it would be fine. I'm not sure if it's cost effective, but it's your money.

 

[pat32rf]

My 4300HST (with 5500hours)fluid has been replaced twice in the past two months. The first time when I did my scheduled change and the second time when I hung up on a stump and broke the return fitting under the differential.... Normally it would get changed once a year, the engine oil twice.(spring and fall)
I never flush the system as the filters catch the crud. You would have to add 5 gallons of fluid, run the system, then dump it out to flush it effectively....at least in my thinking

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to TBN
You are correct on the front axle...it is GL5
..................

I stand corrected, it is NOT GL5.. it is supposed to be HY-GARD or J20C or J20D. according to the 4300 manual.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I just changed all oils on my 4410. The transmission and the front end all get Lo-Viscosity Hy-Guard. Also check with your dealer but my service manager told me that if you use an John Deere synthetic oil with John Deere filters in the engine you can increase oil change intervals by another 50%. That alone pays for the difference in price for a synthetic oil.