Tractor maintenance

[Jack Squat]

Been a long time lurker here got my 790 back in February and started visiting several months before that. I visit regular besides being informative it痴 a hoot.

Got 46 hours on her now (would have been months ago were it not for the dang extreme heat wave & drought) and I am preparing for the 50 hour service.

Cleaning the suction screen - any tips on this part looks like the only potentially tricky area of the service and I get the impression that it is worse on other models.

Any comments on listed oil capacities versus actual (appears to be a lot of discrepancies on various models).

Brakes seem to be kind of squeaky is this normal?

Any special considerations about cleaning in the engine compartment I壇 like to keep that looking new as well, and it just seems odd to hose it down in there what methods and or any cleaners do you all use to do this?

I have a Frontier GM1060E RFM, and have scrutinized the manual extensively regarding the oil in the gearbox it does not give any clues about how to verify the level, nor how to fill it. Looking at the unit, I honestly don稚 see anything other than removing the breather vent as an option for both? Is that how to check it and fill it?

PS Podunkadunk how do I join that Roy Jackson fan club he痴 the MAN

 

[NoMo]

Glad you finally joined and posted!

Can't answer many of your questions, but it's my opinion that you follow the manual for capacities and "types" of fluids for YOUR tractor. There's a large discrepency in those things between models because not all the tractors are the same.

 

[Jack Squat]

Thanks for the reply and the welcome

I was getting down that no one had any input - or welcome
Had a lot of excitement and anticipation about registering and posting -
With all thoughs views, thought it was a new member initiation hazing or I had some how encrypted satanic references in my posting - every third letter backwards said something about Roys hat - thoughs horns you know

Anyway, I did purchase all JD fluids from my dealer with a little extra if needed

I also discovered - do not use apostrohes - messed my post up and could not see how to edit

Thanks again - maybe someone will chime in soon.

 

[RoyJackson]

It's pretty well explained in your manual (read the section on servicing the transmission). There's even pictures (in Owner's Manual OMLVU5440_B4). I've linked the online manual here. I pretty much just follow the manual and refer to the service manual (on CD) if required.

Other then being a dirty job (I attract hydraulic fluids and grease), it's not bad. Do wear goggles while you're under the tractor! I didn't have any problem with pulling the screen, but you get a bit of fluid with it. Make sure you wipe the area around the cap so you don't get any debris in there when reassembling.
I just blew it out with low pressure air and washed it with hydraulic fluid. (again...the goggles!

Make sure the container you use can hold about 5 gallons if you plan on changing the hydraulic fluid (which is not required...but you got to drain it to clean the screen and change the filter). BTW, based upon my dealer's recommendation, I didn't change the hydraulic fluid, filter or clean the screen until about 100 hours (actually, it was about 110 hours).

As far as fluid levels, I always leave it a bit low (½ quart estimated) and check it after the tractor sets a bit. I'm guessing the capacities are pretty close to what the manual calls out. If I need to add, I add...but I never fill to the top of the marks on the dip stick...always just a bit low (I don't want to drain excess).

As far as your brakes...well, I can't say I've ever heard mine squeaking during use. Maybe I just can't hear so well anymore. You can try running the tractor in a gear and keep your foot on the brake lightly. If there's a glaze on the shoes, that might break it up.

I don't clean my engine. With the work I do, it's never gotten that dirty.

 

[jbrumberg]

Jack Squat:

Welcome to TBN ! Roy's hat will grow on you after a while . Jay

 

[Jack Squat]

Thanks for the info. Have seen the manual, was just wondering if there were any special things to look out for.

I have seen some posts on the Frontier from searches, but did not see anyone discuss maintaining the gear box level. Guess I'll pull the breather vent to take a peek.

I'll try to get a picture up here sometime soon.

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for the info. Have seen the manual, was just wondering if there were any special things to look out for.

I have seen some posts on the Frontier from searches, but did not see anyone discuss maintaining the gear box level. Guess I'll pull the breather vent to take a peek.

I'll try to get a picture up here sometime soon.

The 790 is pretty simple and doesn't need much as far as maintenance. Definitely grease it every 10-15 hours. If you don't intend to use the loader for a while, park it somewhere...less to grease and less wear on the front axle.
It is worth getting the service manual (on CD-ROM). The price is about $50.

BTW, I change the engine oil annually. I never get 100 hours per year. I've had my 790 for 3 years now and I'm just cracking 200 hours.

 

[madpogue]

Roy's hat will grow on you after a while

If you find anything of Roy's growing on you, there's a spray at TSC that will take care of it....

Ditto Roy on the 790 maintenance. Pretty-much everything requiring "routine" maintenance is within easy reach. We're close behind you, at 36 hrs (closing in on 50).

Cost of the CD service manual varies widely based on the serial number series. Who knows why. My only gripe about it is that it's one BIG gi-normous PDF file, with NO "indexing". That is, you get to the Contents, it tells you what "page" each section is on, but the Contents isn't set up as a set of "links" to the beginnings of the sections. And get this -- NO text search (the pages themselves apparently are NOT text). Still, it'll probably pay for itself the first time you use it.

But even the regular owner's manual has a LOT on maintenance, more than just operation info. For some reason, there's nothing on the tranny suction screen, though (other than when to do it). Don't see anything in the service CD either (but since there's NO text search GRRRR, it's hard to say).

 

[Jack Squat]

I was visiting the on line manual well before the purchase - to try and get familiar with the controls and also to get an idea on the maintenance needs.

I have been curious what the CD had on it above and beyond what the operators manual had. Can you give me any idea - ?

So does the mega PDF file open in your regular Acrobat reade/viewer/program? I would think your normal tools should be available with it.... which should include some search function ??

Thanks for your input

 

[madpogue]

Repair manual CD has pretty complete repair instructions for engine, tranny, steering, brakes, hydraulics, electrical, etc. Lots of parts explosion diagrams, etc. Yeah, it opens fine with Acrobat reader. But when you use the text select tool, only the first page (the title page) has selectable text. All the other pages (all 1000+ !!) are just images. Grrrr!! I don't mind that it's not indexed. I just wish I could say (for example) "Ctrl-F , 'screen'", and have it stop at each instance of the word.

Oh, and the owner's manual DOES have info on cleaning the tranny screen. It's just that in the "intervals" section, they call it the "Suction Screen", but in the tranny service section, they just call it the "screen". Clear as mud? (Or as old tranny fluid? )