L39 Fifty Hour Service

[JimMorrissey]

What a nightmare! A stinking mess.......Everything is tightly located, all the filters are put on at the factory with an air hammer and there are mulitple drain plugs. I'm not a happy camper right about now. In fact, I'm covered in toxic hydraulic fluid and so are my tools. Maybe it'll be a bit easier next time, but I'm not looking forward to the 200 hour filter change. Was it worth doing myself to save the $150 in labor....? I'm not so sure.

By the way, the parts (oil and filters) were $280! I can't believe the hydraulic filters are $35 apiece.

 

[_RaT_]

I understand that hydraulic fluid is not toxic. Not that I want to drink it, but I think you will be OK. Things are going to be allright! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JimMorrissey]

Rat,

You're right /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I've had the night to calm down, but still I have to finish the job (install filter and fill with oil). I need to go buy some kind of pump to get the SUDT out of the buckets.

Speaking of toxic, I had rubber gloves on and the hydraulic fluid ate right though the gloves! They are the thin kind, but still....regular motor oil did not affect the rubber like that.

 

[BoneheadNW]

Jim-

Is this the first 50 service you have ever done on a tractor? I am probably several weeks away from my 50 hour service (given the current usage rate of my tractor) and was wondering if I could do the service myself. Transportation to my dealer is over $200 alone and I dont trust the dealer that is closer to my house (transport is $100 to that one).

Based on your experience, should I go for it (I hope you are thinking clearly after your toxic experience).

Bonehead

 

[tnuke]

Sorry to hear about your miserable experience Senor. One of the things I dickered with my dealer was for a free 50 hour service. I am nervous though that they are not going to be diligent and do everything realizing that they are not making any money on it.

Any tricks to make sure they at least undo filters and drain plugs? I thought about putting a little bit of tape on each one or marking it with a marker or paint that will come off easily. I just want to make sure they don't skimp and buy themselves a major repair down the road. Hope this is not hijaaaaacking a thread.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Bone,

This is the third service I've done, although all have been different models. I think it's just a nightmare no matter what the situation simply due to the sheer volume of fluids and numerous drains and filters. It's just inherently messy.

I would do it if I were you for that cost. Get a box of good disposable gloves and at least two rolls of paper towels. You'll need them. Also, make sure you have enough big empty containers to hold all the old hydro oil. Get some kitty litter "oil dry" too. Prepare yourself for the worst and you'll be fine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[_RaT_]

I've done the hydraulic fluid change twice on my L3830 HST, one at 50 and the other at 400. Both were very simple. I use hydraulic fluid in the front axle as well simply because it drains so much easier then gear oil. At my 400 hour change, I switched to all synthetic Chevron All Weather hydraulic oil. A few bucks cheaper then Super UDT and orange in color as well.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Rat,

I used to use Chevron in my BX. I had excellent results with it. I still use Chevron in my engine. It's a 15W-40 specifically made for diesels. Delo 400...The L manual calls for 10 weight...wonder if that will cause any problems.

http://www.chevrontexacodelo.com/

I also used the SUDT in the front axle.

 

[BoneheadNW]

I guess in the very worse case scenario, I start to do the service, screw up, and have to have the dealer come out and take the tractor. Nothing to lose except time, toxic fluid on my body (I deal with that on a daily basis anyway), and a mess to clean up. I have some time to prepare and coworkers that have serviced their tractors so it will be interesting.

Bonehead

 

[wushaw]

Doing the filters/oil service is not hard but the first thing I do is remove the FEL and any 3pt implement to make access to everything easier and just take your time and don't get into a hurry.

 

[JimMorrissey]

The engine oil is easy.....The hydro oil is another story, but there really is nothing to "screw up". The only problem will be the mess. You just take the filter(s) off and put the new ones on and fill it up. I used a cheap kerosene pump on the five gallon pails. The L39 seemed full, then I ran it a bit and the level dropped as it worked into the filters and the attachments.

You won't have to call the dealer and have them pick it up. You'll just need to powerwash yourself when you're done /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BoneheadNW]

Jim-

Thanks for the words of encouragement. With regard to the mess, don't worry about me. I'm going to let you in on a little secret (you and the rest of the internet): Whenever I go out on an EMS call and the patient has ANY tendency to want to puke, I'm the guy that gets it. Elderly people, babies, middle aged women, you name it- if they are going to hurl, I'm the target. I may be Bonehead to you guys, but in some circles I'm know as barf boy!

That being said, hydro oil will feel more like expensive bath oil.

Bonehead

 

[_RaT_]

Jim, unless the filler location is significantly different then the L3830, the hydraulic oil change should be a snap. Folks make an issue out of finding big enough containers to capture the used oil, but I find that since a 5 gallon bucket can fit under the tractor, I can easily slide it under the lowest drain hole (4 on the L3830 HST) get it about 3/4's full and easily get the drain bolt back in place with very little fluid on me or the ground. Pull that one out and get another. I have yet to understand the fuss folks make doing these relatively simple things. Sure the oil filters can be tight, but a good wrench and a cheater bar will either remove it or destroy it, either way, it comes off without the help of Mr Atlas. Filling it is about the simplest thing. Maybe I just have the right funnel or the L39 decided to have a lousy location for filling up. No doubt as was mentioned, it is easier to remove the attachments prior to changing the fluid, but the L39 makes this a bit more of a challenge. The loader is pretty much there, my primary objection to owing one. I mow far more then I would ever hoe. Anyway, I hope you get all the necessary service done with the fewest four letter words as possible.

 

[SkyPup]

Come On Jim, I getting ready for the 200 hr service myself, what's taking you so long??? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Ha Ha, did you remember to loosen the hydraulic filler plug prior to removing the tranny drain plugs like I mentioned to you? That was the only hassle I had when I did the 50 hr service.

After changing those two hydraulic filters (I used Kubota Super UDT), the L39 ran allot quieter.....

 

[JimMorrissey]

Rat,

There are two hydo filters back to back and they screw in opposite directions with a large steel plate to protect them. There are also four drain plugs to deal with, so I'd say yes, it is quite a bit different. There's no way to get a 5er under the two rear-diff drains.

I was unprepared and didn't think it through enough before moving forward. Next time will be less smelly and time comsuming. I'll take the backhoe off too. That might speed things up a bit /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[mike69440]

So As I have to have the dealer fix the wimpy L39's TL1000 loader, what has the 50 hour service been running?

 

[JimMorrissey]

I'd figure 2.5 hours @ $65 per hour with about $300 in parts (oil and filters). With tax, I put it at just under $400. Maybe you'll get lucky and the dealer will do it for you to take care of your trouble. I doubt it though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just be prepared with enough buckets of different sizes to get under the rear differential drains and a filter wrench and you'll be fine. Take off the BH helps too. Read your manual and find all the drains and filters the night before so you know what you're in for. -If you're prepared, it's not as bad as I made it sound. This was my third fifty hour services and just jumped in without thinking or reading.....Mistake.