M5040 front gear case check ports

[Colby Forest]

Finally got to 50 hour service on my M5040HDC (4wd). Went to change the oil in the front axle and looked in the Workshop Manual (that big orange binder) and it says there are 3 check plugs: one on each of the gear cases (or hubs) and one on the differential case (or axle). Problem is my gear cases don't have check plugs, only fill holes on top and drain holes on bottom. The check holes are supposed to be near the top of the gear case just below the fill hole. The only check hole I do have is on the differential case below the fill hole.

Does anyone know why the gear case check ports are missing?

 

[piller]

I've got an 8540 but the front axles might be similar. Like you I have a fill hole near the top of the gear hub and a drain hole on the bottom. The fill hole is also used to check the fluid level. When I check the fill level I will open up these top fill holes and if I can't see oil in there I then grab a piece of hay and slide it in and pull it out to check the level. It helps if your tractor is on a nice flat surface.

 

[Colby Forest]

Checked out a newer 5040 yesterday- The hubs are the same as mine. I can only guess they changed the design after they printed the manuals. They even switched the side the axle fill and check holes are on. I'd still love to know why they changed the design.

piller- I like your improvised dipstick :thumbsup:. Do you fill your hubs right up to the bottom of the fill hole?

On the 5040, by the way, unless you take the wheels off, you can barely see the bottom of the fill hole threads.