Oil & Fuel JD 4200 MFWD has gear oil

[HNDRKSS]

I bought a 4200 with FEL this summer and am just getting around to changing the fluids to establish a baseline. It is a low hours machine and the previous owner said they had it serviced a couple of years ago at the local dealer. Imagine my surprise to find it has 80-90 gear oil in the front axle instead of the Hy-gard my manual recommends. Does anyone else run gear oil? My inclination is to drain and fill, and repeat soon to get it out.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I once filled my 4410 front axle with gear oil. Then I started thinking about the situation and went and looked at the manual. So the 80-90 got drained and the front end was refilled with Lo-Viscosity Hi-Guard as pre the manual. I didn't flush as I let the oil drain overnight. I figured what little was left wouldn't hurt any thing. It's been several years now.

 

[HNDRKSS]

Yeah, I'll give it a good drain and refill it with Hy-gard this weekend. Thanks.

 

[waycoolmarine]

80 - 90 wont hurt anything there is just gears up there and 80-90 doesn't leak as fast as hy guard does out of axle seals

 

[HNDRKSS]

Good point. I want to service all fluids, so I'll probably go with the regular Hy-gard I bought for the trans, and if it leaks, change back to 80-90.

 

[dfkrug]

Some tractor makers spec either gear oil or hyd fluid. Quite a diff between the 2.
I prefer gear oil, and WAYCOOL has it right: gear oil leaks out slower.

 

[Olsen]

Change it. I had 80w90 in my MFWD in my 4400 and it contributed to some problems.
First, it will generate more heat causing pressure differential blowing oil out when hot, sucking dust in when cooling.
When my son was driving to the neighbors because it was cold or oil level low or the oil gets thrown away from the pinion bearing. The pinion bearing failed and gauled the pinion shaft. When pressing the pinion shaft out it split the outer race and swelled up the differential carrier that is also the trunnion for the front axle.

Moral of the story. Hyguard would not have done this. I have hyguard in it now and no problems or leaks for the last 5 years.

Thicker is not always a good thing. U think it will leak faster due to more heat.

 

[John V.]

Change it. I had 80w90 in my MFWD in my 4400 and it contributed to some problems.
First, it will generate more heat causing pressure differential blowing oil out when hot, sucking dust in when cooling.
When my son was driving to the neighbors because it was cold or oil level low or the oil gets thrown away from the pinion bearing. The pinion bearing failed and gauled the pinion shaft. When pressing the pinion shaft out it split the outer race and swelled up the differential carrier that is also the trunnion for the front axle.

Moral of the story. Hyguard would not have done this. I have hyguard in it now and no problems or leaks for the last 5 years.

Thicker is not always a good thing. U think it will leak faster due to more heat.

Hi Olsen,

I realize this thread is old but figured I would give this a shot. I have a 4200 and having a similar issue with my front 4 WD unit. It appears I need to replace my front pinion bearing and seals and was wondering if you had any insight that you could offer as it pertains to removing the front end 4 WD to access the bearings and seals. I realized I had the issue when I changed the fluid in the front differential and it all poured out of the pinion shaft where the drive shaft coupler meets.

Any insight is appreciated, Thanks,
John

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to TBN
Search is your friend. There have been threads on TBN that address the task you are asking about.

Similar.. are you saying you found yours with gear oil as well?

 

[John V.]

Thanks,

Yes, I have not had much luck other than this thread under the search.