IH 254 front axle gear oil change

[rScotty]

From the looks of the page from your manual, it seems that the oil has to travel through the hub gear assembly before it can come out at the level holes. If you are using gear oil, such as 80w90, this can take some time for it to make it through the smaller passage ways. Therefore I would personally let the tractor sit overnight so that the oil can make its way to the level holes and drain out till it stops to achieve the correct level.

Hope this helps!!

That's what I was thinking as well. But loggin said it better.