Maintenance of a JD 770

[crashz]

Hi all!

Great site! Been browsing here (yep, did a quick search) and need a bit of help. I just recently aquired the tractor in my signature and need a little help with the maintenance. The manual isn't very clear on what filters to use, greases to use or hydraulic oils.

Could some one recommend or cross reference (to obtain at an autoparts store):
- The oil filter
- Hydraulic filter
- Recommend a hydraulic oil
- Recommend a motor oil (I'm thinking Mobil Delvac 1300)
- Recommend gear oil for the front axle
- Air filter

Am I missing anything? Thanks in advance!

Leo

 

[RoyJackson]

Did you get a manual with this tractor?

770's a great machine, BTW. I owned a 670 (770's smaller brethren) and now a 790 (successor to the 770). I was actually looking for a 770 when I found a good deal on the 790. The prices between the 770's and 790's isn't that great. Even the old 670's do pretty good.

As far as filters...the Deere filters aren't expensive so you may as well stick with them. The air filter is a bit pricey though...however, I'd still stick with the Deere brand.

As far as oil, I used what ever was the correct rating when I purchased at Autozone. I'm using the Deere brand for the 790. Since it's not changed that often (every 100 hours, per the manual)...may as well go with a better quality. It just needs to be diesel rated. Since I don't put 100 hours on the tractor in a year, I change the engine oil annually regardless of hours.

I used the Deere brand hydraulic oil in my 670. Haven't got enough hours on the 790 to change it yet. Same applies to the front axle oil.

As far as grease..any EP rated grease will work fine. You'll want to grease the tractor and FEL every 10 hours or so.

If you didn't get a manual with that 770, I would ask the Deere dealer for the price. You can find them on Ebay, but definitely stick with the OEM manual!

A service manual on CD goes for $48 by the way.

The FEL is pretty easy to remove and install, if you've not done it yet. I drop my loader off unless I have a need for it. Since most my hours are mowing, the loader is off most of the Spring, Summer and Fall.

That tractor can easily handle a 6' rear blade, if you're intending to push snow with it. If you're going to do grading...well, the tractor is light...you'll run out of traction with the 5' blade

 

[bczoom]

crashz

First, Welcome to TBN!!!

I concur with Roy on the maintenance recommendations.

This part: </font><font color="blue" class="small">( That tractor can easily handle a 6' rear blade, if you're intending to push snow with it. If you're going to do grading...well, the tractor is light...you'll run out of traction with the 5' blade )</font> I may not agree with. I run a 6' box blade off mine and for the most part, have no problems. Never had any traction problems with my 6' scraper blade.

Brian

 

[dummy]

That explains why the 5' box feels like underkill on mine. Got a job to spread some fill material and thought it would be a nice trial workout for the 770. Way too much fill for the area to be covered, but not enough to disappoint me with the tractors performance. I like it, glad you guys helped talk me into keeping it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Down-pressure on the loader really does need help. Didn't I read about a "fix" for that though?

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Down-pressure on the loader really does need help. Didn't I read about a "fix" for that though? )</font>

For down pressure, lay the bucket flat on the ground then push the SCV so it will turn the bucket as if to dump. I can easily lift the front of the tractor.

 

[crashz]

Thanks for the tips guys! I went on JD's site and found the parts I need to get it maintained properly. I also have to order a new front grill, because the old one is rusted through.

Not to be a pest, but I need to ask you guys some questions on operting the loader. To me, digging into a pile seems really difficult, as I'm used to my fathers loaders. Every one is a torque converter type shuttle shift. Therefore you dig in, scoop and back out. Seems much tougher to do without burning the clutch or spinning the wheels on a stick shift like the 770. How do you guys do it? Do you keep the throttle turned up or use the foot throttle?

 

[bczoom]

When digging into a pile, I generally flip it into low range.
I then have better control on how much I dig and can feather the bucket accordingly.
Are your rear tires filled? If not and/or you don't have any rear ballast it'll want to spin the tires.
For the throttle, I think I normally run around 17-2000 RPM's depending on how hard I have to dig. In low range, you can pretty much leave it there and don't need to adjust the throttle.

Brian