Oil & Fuel brushog gearbox oil

islandguy8 · Feb 26, 2015

this might be a stupid question but when is the best time to check the gearbox oil on a brushog. my manual says it cant be accurately checked until 15 to 20 min of operation. it has a small check plug that I remove to check level. but after operating and heating up wouldn't fluid come out because of heat and pressure, I figured to check it cold would be better? thanks for any info, this is my first tractor.

stingray1 · Feb 26, 2015

I always check mine before each use but,this may not be the correct way. I never really given it much thought.

SPYDERLK · Feb 26, 2015

Either way. Heat affects level ~ nil. Oil flows better when warmed but the level should be at or just below the hole. If it flows out a little when you open the hole, its full. ... If it doesnt, stick a small allen in thru the hole and turn it down. If it doesnt reach the oil youre low.
larry

islandguy8 · Feb 26, 2015

thanks for the reply. i'll just check it before each use, its easy enough to do.

/pine · Feb 26, 2015

islandguy8 said:
this might be a stupid question but when is the best time to check the gearbox oil on a brushog. my manual says it cant be accurately checked until 15 to 20 min of operation. it has a small check plug that I remove to check level. but after operating and heating up wouldn't fluid come out because of heat and pressure, I figured to check it cold would be better? thanks for any info, this is my first tractor.

It may be off the wall...but IMO if the "check plug" is gravity based...operating the cutter/gear box would distribute oil and coat all the internal parts...and a gravity based indicator would show slightly less oil than if none had been distributed...?

IMO, IF it is a gravity based "check plug"...It would make more sense to me if the manual said to WAIT 15-20 minutes AFTER operating to get an accurate reading...

SIMassey · Feb 26, 2015

islandguy8 said:
this might be a stupid question but when is the best time to check the gearbox oil on a brushog. my manual says it cant be accurately checked until 15 to 20 min of operation. it has a small check plug that I remove to check level. but after operating and heating up wouldn't fluid come out because of heat and pressure, I figured to check it cold would be better? thanks for any info, this is my first tractor.

The fill plug on my Woods mower has a cotter key to keep vent open to prevent any pressure buildup in gear case.

hosspuller · Feb 27, 2015

I would believe checking the oil before use is a good SOP. If the seal was damaged and the oil has leaked out from the last use... using it without oil is worse than the slight level difference between hot & cold gearbox.

That said ... I only have checked the level every couple of years.

smstonypoint · Feb 27, 2015

FWIW, the manuals for both of my rotary cutters (Taylor Way, Bush Hog) say to check the oil every 40 hours. I don't put that many hours on my cutters during a year, so I end up checking the oil in the spring.

Steve

big bubba · Feb 27, 2015

as a footnote, if you top it up cold, might also check again once it's warmed up @ operating temp to draw off any excess (aeration/foaming also will affect level)...don't want to compromise any seals on the chance of overfill....regards

islandguy8 · Feb 27, 2015

Thanks for the responses. what a great source this forum is to get my questions answered!! makes owning a tractor even more fun!

hhsco · Feb 27, 2015

this may be premature, but if you DO start finding a significant oil drop, there is a pretty great solution to replacing all the seals and whatnot. I have an early 80s Woods bushhog and it wouldn't hold oil for a moment without it all spinning out and leaking out of the gearbox. I replaced the heavy gear oil with "Corn-head grease" from JD and it has been working great for the past 8 years or so. Too solid to leak out, but liquid enough when in use to keep everything cool. No reason to do it if your seals are fine, but it is definitely a cheap solution if that ever comes up. Which now that I've typed all that, I'm sure it won't.

Also, I'm on board with checking before use!