Gear oil interval on Implements?

[Maddog66]

I’m just a homeowner with some land to care for and I rarely put more than 100 hours on my tractor each year. Of course I change the oil in that every year. No question.

But how often do you change out the gear oil in implements like snowblowers and brush cutters? They each get maybe 20 hours of use per year in my case.

I’ve been draining and refilling them every other fall but the oil is always perfect in them. It’s clean/clear and not a bit of moisture. It seems like such a waste.

The blower lives inside an unheated shed and the rotary cutter stays outside with the gearbox covered by a bucket in winter.

What is your routine?

 

[T-Max]

I think the answer to that question, for me at least, also includes two other questions. How hard is it to do and how expensive is it? If it is easy to do, that goes a long ways for me. If it is relatively cheap compared to the expense and headache of repairing damaged equipment, that would take me the rest of the way. Most of our equipment is pretty old and leaks enough that we get a complete oil change every few years just by topping it off.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Moisture isn't the only thing to worry about.

The only sure way to determine when to change would be to send in a sample for analysis. That would probably cost more than the oil change. Do both attachments use the same oil? Are you using synthetic?

Synthetic oil is a little more forgiving, but could be more expensive. If they both use the same oil it would be cheaper than buying two different oils.

What does the manufacturer recommend?

 

[hillrunner]

I’m just a homeowner with some land to care for and I rarely put more than 100 hours on my tractor each year. Of course I change the oil in that every year. No question.

But how often do you change out the gear oil in implements like snowblowers and brush cutters? They each get maybe 20 hours of use per year in my case.

I’ve been draining and refilling them every other fall but the oil is always perfect in them. It’s clean/clear and not a bit of moisture. It seems like such a waste.

The blower lives inside an unheated shed and the rotary cutter stays outside with the gearbox covered by a bucket in winter.

What is your routine?

I never change gear oil in implements. How often do you change the gear oil in your pickup differential?

 

[Maddog66]

I do use the same gear oil for both. It’s about $10 a quart and full synthetic. Both take a quart and it’s easy to drain and refill them. 15 minutes each.

I’ve had my trans oil and filter changed on my current pickup twice now. At 50k and 100k.

Based on the feedback here I’m going to start changing it out every 3rd fall from now on and see how it goes.

Thanks all!

 

[bigboreblr]

often those gearboxes are a thin grease. Double check what your supposed to put in. Outdoor, maybe 3 or 4 years, indoor 5 years. Outdoor gets condensation cycles more. Good to wipe down the rusty spots with a oily rag. Moght be able to flip brush hog vertical with your front bucket.

Get some chainn lube for the snowblower. Dont forget the front axle oil and to grease that bucket pins often. Fill up the tractor when its low. Sometimes get issues with dirty diesel. Only use drygas when your going to run the tank down. locohl will take moisture from fuel and burn it. The remainder in the tank left around will pull moisture from the air.

 

[Foggy47]

Most farmers look at those gear boxes once year....and watch for any signs of moisture. If none....top it off and go to work. Maybe some expensive equipment will get more attention, but with all the implements and gear boxes I got I would run a constant maintenance program. Not gonna happen for me. I do check the gearboxes and re-fill with 90w gear oil and get to work. I would spend more time with the grease gun on zerks and less time on those gear boxes. I often place my hand on the gear case when operating to make sure its not overheating. That would be your first sign of impending issues.....IMO.
Tractor-on!