TC35 80-90W gear in front diff

[jjbath]

I've heard that its recommended to use gear oil in the front diff and drop boxes.

Has anyone done this? Is it a good idea?

 

[jinman]

I'm not sure who would recommend that oil, but New Holland does not. They recommend the same hydraulic fluid that's in your reservoir. I recommend sticking with New Holland's spec'd oil, NH 134D or NH F200. If you don't want to buy from NH, then find an oil that meets that spec is my advice.

 

[jjbath]

I picked up 2 5gal buckets of the NH F200 for $107 a piece the other day.

I'm not worried about the cost I was thinking the gear oil may be a little better in the front diff. I can't imagine it would hurt anything but I don't want to be the test subject.

 

[jinman]

Oil flows between your fwd axle housing and the bevel gear drop boxes. If you use oil of higher viscosity, it might not flow properly. Also, the consideraton for oil has to do with tolerances and wear. Would you use gear oil in an engine? I don't think you would like the results of using gear oil.

 

[Hematite]

Oil flows between your fwd axle housing and the bevel gear drop boxes. If you use oil of higher viscosity, it might not flow properly. Also, the consideraton for oil has to do with tolerances and wear. Would you use gear oil in an engine? I don't think you would like the results of using gear oil.

That's a fact! I've know people over the years that experimented with using heavier viscosity oils than recommended for various mechanisms. All ended in dismal failure!

 

[jjbath]

I saw on I think Messicks there is a video in the FAQ where they say to gear oil instead of hydro on some Kubotas. Thats why I asked. I have no intentions of using gear myself.

I'm very particular about any fluids I use in everything I own.

 

[jinman]

I saw on I think Messicks there is a video in the FAQ where they say to gear oil instead of hydro on some Kubotas. Thats why I asked. I have no intentions of using gear myself.

I'm very particular about any fluids I use in everything I own.

I understand. I'm sure you are going to take very good care of that tractor. The problem with TBN is that there are thousands of viewers. If I sound like I am lecturing, I don't mean to be. I just want to be sure and make a strong caution against doing things that might harm a tractor or void a warranty. I want anyone reading this to see my strong dissent and reasons why I think this is a bad idea. Sorry if I seem to be too strong in my response.

 

[jjbath]

No sweat. I understand what you are saying. I didn't take any offense.

And thank you for all of your advice.

 

[dfkrug]

Oil flows between your fwd axle housing and the bevel gear drop boxes. If you use oil of higher viscosity, it might not flow properly. Also, the consideraton for oil has to do with tolerances and wear. Would you use gear oil in an engine? I don't think you would like the results of using gear oil.

This is an interesting subject, about which some tractor makers are a bit
schizo. For example, Kioti recommends hyd oil for the front axle in some
places, and gear oil in others. For the same tractor.

Honda went to light weight oils in their manual trannies many years ago,
while most other car/truck manufacturers stayed with 90-weight gear oil.
Honda engineers prob thought that they could get a more efficient power
transfer (less drag) with little trade-off in reliability.

Gear oil and its additives are optimized for reducing wear under high gear
loads. That is not the primary goal of hyd oils. The gears in tractors do
not spin at high speeds like in a car, so efficiency loss with thicker oils is
not really an issue. Straight hyd oil (vs. tractor-hyd fluid) is much cheaper
than 90W gear oil.

This topic has even more meaning to me at this moment as I am rebuilding
my hub/kingpin final drive in my rt front axle on my JD. That axle has been
full of straight hyd oil, and the shafts in there have a disturbing amount of
corrosion on them. I have never seen that in gearboxes that use gear oil.
One of the bearings is also starting it get noisy, so I will replace it. I am
going to refill this axle with gear oil.

Jim, your point about thinner oils flowing into certain nooks and crannies
better than thicker oils is a good one. It would be great if there were some
substantiation of that concern from an engineer at one of the tractor
manufacturers. These front axles depend on splash lubrication for
the elements not completely submerged in the oil. Thicker oils do stick
better and provide better corrosion protection under the force of gravity
due to better film retention.

 

[JC-jetro]

Very interesting post Dfkrug excellent observations there. I fully concur with your statements, but If I had a new rig, I'd stick with my manufacturer's recommendation to maintain my warranty at least till it totally runs out.

JC,