Some basic maintenance questions.

[TomStein]

Hi everyone. I’m a newbie and I have a bunch of questions. Sorry I’m advance for the long post.
I’d like to do some maintenance on the transmission and final drive. I just got my 63’ lo-boy and although it seems like it’s running just fine who knows when it was changed last.
So the gear box. I’ve seen some people post and even a video of someone flush it out with kerosene I believe? They even run the tractor slowly with the fluid in the transmission? So it’s ok to run it briefly without any oil in it to clean out the gunk??? If I do that is there anything I should be careful of while running the tractor so that I don’t mess up any gears? Is that something I should definitely do or get in there and see how gunky it is before I do it? Also, any suggestions on what oil I should put back in? The manual says sae 80 or 90 or IH hy-trans fluid, but any suggestions on which one? Or is there something better out there?

Now the final drive. I saw a couple videos of people changing the oil on a cub. The entire half circle dropped straight down after the bolts were loosened. However my tractor looks different. It appears that mine on my lo-boy are rotated 90 degrees and so when I loosen the bolts I’ll pull it towards the front of the tractor. Does that seem right or am I looking at my tractor all wrong. Also if I take the part off that holds the oil to drain and replace it, should I definitely also plan on replacing the gaskets?
Thanks again for the help. I’ll appreciate hearing from people who know more about this than I do.

[Don McCombs]

Perfectly acceptable to run kerosene or diesel in the transmission to flush it. The gears won't be turning fast enough to cause any issues. My preference on gear oil is 3.5 PINTS of a GL-1 90 wt oil. It is available from Tractor Supply labeled Ford Transmission Oil. Yes, the final pans on a LoBoy are rotated 90 degrees. Pull the pans to drain the finals. Use new gaskets when reinstalling the pans. I use Indianhead gasket sealer on both sides of the gasket to provide a good seal. Remove the fill plug and refill with 1 3/4 PINTS of the same gear oil in each.

[Eugene]

Yes, the final pans on a LoBoy are rotated 90 degrees. Pull the pans to drain the finals.

I use RTV on the finals. Cheap, fast, doesn't leak. Your choice, RTV or gasket.

Transmission/differential. Drain first to see what comes out. Probably some water and maybe some crud. You may just want to do several gear lub changes in quick order.

[NJ Farmer]

Don’t use RTV with petroleum products. If you “need” a sealant because the gasket surface is pitted or distorted use Perm-A-Tex Aviation gasket sealer. Available at NAPA or Amazon. A normal cork gasket without any goo on it will seal provided the flange and cover is level and not pitted.

RTV will breakdown over time and you don’t need to glue the pan on…..you may want to take it off some years down the road. Leave the RTV for sealing air gaps and windows.

NJ Farmer

[inairam]

Tom I live in West Chester and keep my cubs in Glen mills so not too far from you. Feel free to message me.

We have had a very mild winter but the Cub trans does collect water. I have had engines start but not be able to move the tractor because the trans was frozen. So changing the trans fluids is a good thing to do for the winter.

One suggestion is I find it easier to measure out the fluid when refilling the trans than to use the overflow plug but to each his own.

[TomStein]

Thanks everyone. That’s all very helpful! I really appreciate it.

[ajhbike]

I gauge it on what comes out....and I am a big fan of pre-measuring as was said....that overfill plug is a pain.