How to change X740 hydro oil?

[JDTank]

I want to be prepared when my 50 hour mark comes around, so does anyone have a how to, or photos, of changing the hydro oil and filter in the 2WD X740?

I know it's going to be much easier than the AWD X748, looking forward to that part of a 2WD machine!

 

[greg_g]

No offense JD, but the owner manual is your friend. The whole procedure - with photos - is in the Service Transmission section. I actually envy you, as the same procedure for my X500 requires removing the deck. Taking that particular deck off and putting it back on took four times longer than the actual oil change procedure.

//greg//

 

[JDTank]

No offense JD, but the owner manual is your friend. The whole procedure - with photos - is in the Service Transmission section. I actually envy you, as the same procedure for my X500 requires removing the deck. Taking that particular deck off and putting it back on took four times longer than the actual oil change procedure.

//greg//

I haven't taken delivery yet, I am just "studying" right now. I was pretty tired last night and didn't even think to google the owners manual until about 10 minutes after I made this posting.

I found the same manual last night, and wow, does it ever look easy on the X740. One drain plug, change filter, put drain plug back in, fill with oil, done. No removing the deck, no putting the tractor on stands, no taking wheels off, no bleeding air. Makes me very glad I looked past the X748.

Just curious, why do you have to remove the deck on the X500 series? Is the drain plug on the front side of the rear housing or something?

 

[arlen4720]

I haven't taken delivery yet, I am just "studying" right now. I was pretty tired last night and didn't even think to google the owners manual until about 10 minutes after I made this posting.

I found the same manual last night, and wow, does it ever look easy on the X740. One drain plug, change filter, put drain plug back in, fill with oil, done. No removing the deck, no putting the tractor on stands, no taking wheels off, no bleeding air. Makes me very glad I looked past the X748.

Just curious, why do you have to remove the deck on the X500 series? Is the drain plug on the front side of the rear housing or something?

I have a 2006 x748, before they went with the hydraulic front wheel drive. Mine should be about like yours. It is easy except for puting the oil back in... It takes a LOOOOONG time. I just mess around with something else at the same time. I just add a 1/4 of a quart or so at a time, or it will keep "burping" up.
I think you will find it much easier removing the deck for all maintenance. You might as well grease when you change the trans oil. The deck should come off in about 5 minutes tops.
You will like it. I have absolutley tortured mine...930 hours and going strong.
I tried the synthetic Amsoil hydro fluid, and drained it out... It made a growling noise when cold. I use JD low vis.
I use Amsoil 5-40 diesel oil mostly, but I also use the JD 0-40 synthetic. For grease, I use the JD polyurea. I did use Mobile 1 grease, but learned to hate it because the grease gun "bleeds" all the time. How is the Amsoil grease? Use a needle greaser on the hard to reach u joints.... no problem.
I buy all JD filters and use JD fuel treatment.

 

[JDTank]

I have a 2006 x748, before they went with the hydraulic front wheel drive. Mine should be about like yours. It is easy except for puting the oil back in... It takes a LOOOOONG time. I just mess around with something else at the same time. I just add a 1/4 of a quart or so at a time, or it will keep "burping" up.
I think you will find it much easier removing the deck for all maintenance. You might as well grease when you change the trans oil. The deck should come off in about 5 minutes tops.
You will like it. I have absolutley tortured mine...930 hours and going strong.
I tried the synthetic Amsoil hydro fluid, and drained it out... It made a growling noise when cold. I use JD low vis.
I use Amsoil 5-40 diesel oil mostly, but I also use the JD 0-40 synthetic. For grease, I use the JD polyurea. I did use Mobile 1 grease, but learned to hate it because the grease gun "bleeds" all the time. How is the Amsoil grease? Use a needle greaser on the hard to reach u joints.... no problem.
I buy all JD filters and use JD fuel treatment.

The amsoil grease is a nice high quality grease. I mainly pack bearings with it, I rarely use it in a grease gun, so I can't tell you if it is a bleeder or not.

Just to cover my butt, I think I will just use JD fluids, greases and filters. That way, if a warranty issue ever arises, there is proof I used only JD products through my purchase history at my dealer, and it shouldn't be any argument.

 

[arlen4720]

That's a good choice now that JD has a synthetic motor oil. It is a fully synthetic PAO oil just like Amsoil, it also has the "plus 50" additive package.
I find myself buying more and more stuff at the JD dealer....tools, chainsaw, oil, grease, coolant. There are those here that would say I'm crazy, but I'm lucky to have a dealer 5 miles away, which is closer than any other store of any kind. I'm happy to support them....and it is all good stuff.

 

[greg_g]

Yup. X500 has a very inconvenient drain location. Next time ill pay more attention to maintenance before I buy

//greg//

 

[JDTank]

Yup. X500 has a very inconvenient drain location. Next time ill pay more attention to maintenance before I buy

//greg//

That was definitely one reason I stepped into the X700 series. I can't tell you how much I detest carburetors.

I think the X740 is the machine that requires the least amount of maintenance, or rather the least amount of time spent. With a diesel engine, I have no ignition system to worry about, or rotting ethanol. Since I opted for 2WD, my hydro oil changes couldn't be any easier.

The X500 series IS still a very nice machine, but when you look at some of the things they did on that series, it makes you scratch your chin a little.