5e series maintenence

[dirkdaddy]

I own a 2013 model 5055e, been a good tractor overall and I'm really pleased. While in the local deere dealership the other day confirming how much gear oil I needed for my 600 hour service and buying yet another $4 washer for the drain nut, I was given a service sheet for 5055e tractors by the parts department that did not jibe at all with the manual that came with my tractor.

Doing some research it appears that deere changed many of the service intervals after the 2013 model year. They now call for 250 hour oil and filter changes versus 100 hours in my manual and what really got me is that in my manual the front MFWD assembly calls for gl-5 gear oil while the newer manual specs deere hy gard hydraulic fluid for the front end.

I am starting to question which manual and service intervals to go by. I put on around 200 to 300 hours a year on the tractor, so extending oil changes to once a year versus two or three times would save me nearly $200 during a 300 hour year. And I sure don't want to put the wrong spec'ed oil in the front end. Why the change on deeres part? Did the MFWD assembly change that much in one model year? The oil filter numbers are the exact same, too.

 

[Catchad81]

Having many deere tractors of various ages on the farm, I won't be changing oil at every 100 hours for sure.

 

[MF283]

Having many deere tractors of various ages on the farm, I won't be changing oil at every 100 hours for sure.

Yes Sir, not even sure if it's started breaking down at that point.

Ronnie

 

[RedNeckRacin]

100 hour is the break in oil. 250 hours after that. You can use either the gl5 gear oil or hygard in the axle. I think the reason is the seals tend to leak with the hygard but the gear oil is thicker and tends to stay in the axle where it's needed. My Kubota dealer told me that's what they recommend for their smaller tractors over what kubota specs.

 

[dirkdaddy]

Called my dealer today and spoke with a tech up there. He insisted I follow what's in my manual because deere "completely changed" the engine from 2013 to 2014. As far as I can tell the only difference in the engines is that 2014 and after model years have the same 2.9l power tech 3 cylinder engine with all of the diesel particulate filter junk on it. But it's the same engine as the 2013 as far as I can tell. Same oil filter numbers, etc. Hopefully I can talk with an engineer at deere corporate next week.

 

[beenthere]

Unless you personally know a Deere engineer, I wish you luck getting a personal talk with one. They don't have the time to answer such calls, or allowed to take the time (from personal experience). They will forward your call to your dealer.
But still hope it works for you.

 

[Tx Jim]

I've owned a JD 4255 since Feb '93 that has 11,400+ hrs on original engine that's had the engine oil & filter changed at 250 hr intervals ever since I bought it used. I use JD Torq-gard plus 50 oil & JD filter. Granted it's not the same engine but both your & my tractors have JD engines & technology.

 

[whis]

why are you having to buy $4 washer

 

[dirkdaddy]

why are you having to buy $4 washer

The oil drain plug had a one-time-use copper washer that is supposed to be replaced every time you change the oil. It starts out rounded and flattens out when you tighten the oil pan drain plug. It costs a cool $4 and some change. And no, I don't replace it every time I change the oil, just about every other time.

 

[whis]

does the book tell you to change it or dealer. I have never change one, haven't done 5 series yet though

 

[RAM2940]

Most of you say you would not change oil in your tractor at 100 hours, but if you drove your car 100 hours at 60mph you would have 6000 miles on the oil, i bet alot would be changing oil.

 

[beenthere]

Not anymore at 6000 miles. More like 8000.
But I think my tractor is in dirtier conditions, and 100 hours is over a longer period of time.. As well, it is a diesel so I change in less than 100 hours usually. Not expensive, and enjoy the feeling of "new oil and filter"..

 

[Catchad81]

You have to think what if we used the tractor daily, would you change it every ten days? No. Use a good oil and go longer.
As for miles my ford specs 7500. I change at 5000 but I bet well over 100 hours.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Most of you say you would not change oil in your tractor at 100 hours, but if you drove your car 100 hours at 60mph you would have 6000 miles on the oil, i bet alot would be changing oil.

Not hardly. I run full synthetic in everything. 7500 mile oil changes in the truck at a minimum and if JD says I can go 250 hours with dino oil, I sure as heck can get 250 hours out of Rotella T6 synthetic.

 

[Kubota 2350]

The oil drain plug had a one-time-use copper washer that is supposed to be replaced every time you change the oil. It starts out rounded and flattens out when you tighten the oil pan drain plug. It costs a cool $4 and some change. And no, I don't replace it every time I change the oil, just about every other time.

If it is copper go to the auto parts store near you, they all the different sizes of copper washers on hand, should be less than a dollar.

 

[dirkdaddy]

If it is copper go to the auto parts store near you, they all the different sizes of copper washers on hand, should be less than a dollar.

Thank you! Even though I do a ton of service on my various farm equipment I hardly ever go into an auto parts store, looks like that's going to change.

Still haven't solved the original mystery and honestly I haven't followed up on it. My local Deere dealer has been sorry as **** to deal with overall over the years and I am not looking forward to trying to push this issue with them. Gonna be about like pulling teeth.

Until then 700 hours is fasting approaching, better go get me some oil and another set of filters :laughing:

 

[dirkdaddy]

Had a decent sit down discussion with the service manager at my deere dealership the other day. He was quite frank and said 100 hour oil changes seems excessive and doesn't really comport with what are "standard' jd intervals. He also said that since I was using full syn oil that changing the oil once a year in a 250 to 300 hour year shouldn't be a problem. Did say I should continue to change out the hydraulic filter every 100 hours as called for, though. I agree.

I do find it curious that I am the first one to bring this up to them. And I still think by the end of the conversation he wasn't convinced what is printed in my manual is actually there (100 hour oil changes). I made the mistake of not bringing the hard copy and showed him the online copy I reference. He still seemed skeptical.

He also told me that deere releases so many technical updates and bulletins that it is impossible for them to keep it all straight. That gives me mixed feelings, but I guess that's the nature of dealing with a huge multinational corporation like deere. Hope this thread helps out another 2013 5e series owner in the future.