Brushhog Gear Box

[RxRatedZ71]

I went to inspect my JD RC2060 gearbox for oil this weekend (dont ask how long its been) and noticed i'm low on oil inside. Upon further inspection i found the oil to be white/tan in color. From what ive experienced this usually indicates the presence of water. Several questions arise: how did it get in there? Is there a drain plug? How much oil does it hold? Anyone with subject knowledge feel free to chime in.

I noticed the check plugs threads had no grease (possible entry point 1) and the fill/overflow plug lacked grease also (entry point 2). My dealer indicated it could be humidity?? Never thought of that..is it common? For its 1st year or two it was parked outside in the elements but now its under my barn porch since 2010. Again dont ask how long its been since i checked it...I bought a manual suction siphon hand pump from TSC to draw it out if no other way exists.

 

[scrappy isb67]

I took the top cover off my RFM (similar gear box) and sucked out most of the old fluid with a turkey baster. my fluid looked like coffee with lots of creamer! The mower stays in the garage during the summer but under a tarp in the winter. It didn't get ALL the old fluid out this way BUT i will run it one time and change it again.
the only other way I can think of is pull the gearbox or flip the mower.

 

[dex3361]

I would also wonder where the lube went. Its common for the box to draw moisture from humidity in the air. I usually change my gear lube every couple of years. I use the FEL to position the gear box to get the maimum amount of lube out of the gear box.

 

[RxRatedZ71]

The coffee w/creamer description fits mine as well. I hadnt thought about tilting the entire mower. Good idea. This siphon has a good 16-18" hose which hopefully will help. I thought the dealer might not have prepped the mower fully by lubing everything to spec also...