JD A - Question On Transmission and Final Drive Lube

NoDakInMN

Member
So I was working on my 44 A and was going to drop the oil and change the filter. In the process I got interrupted by a couple of cell phone calls and long story short, I pulled the wrong plug and drained the transmission/final drive fluid instead and fortunately I had a large enough pail to catch it all. Not the end of the world as I had never done a complete drain of this fluid since I got it, just pulled off condensate in the spring.

What I did notice is that the oil looked sort of thin, not at all near 90 W gear oil and I suspect it is transmission/hydraulic oil. So my question is this; since the original recommendations for the tractor predate a lot of improvements in lubricants, what should I be using in this tractor. I do pull a trailer mower and use it to cultivate and plow a 2 acre plot. Any advice?
 

I would use the Wt of oil recommended by the Manufacturer..If you use a lighter alternative, it will just find a way to LEAK out..!!

90Wt CAN wear out and break down..that may be what you are seeing--Worn out 90 Wt..who knows how many years it has been in there, or WHAT some one else may have dumped into it...
I think there are 2 Drain Plugs, check to see...I am thinking there is one above the Drawbar...
 
Thanks for the response. All things being equal, I would just put in gear oil but 8 gallons of that is about $115 while transmission/hydraulic is only a little over half that so I'm curious if the extra expense is necessary. The old fluid does not have that distinctive gear oil smell and the color is good plus the volume is correct. I have not noticed any leaks so there is that. Also the previous owner, who I know, is pretty meticulous about his stuff so I doubt that he would put something different in without a good reason. You are correct that there is an additional plug under the axles to drain out the sump there.
 
I use the multi grade 85/90 gear oil in my tractors. It's usually cheaper than the straight wt.oil. The thin transmission oils would work fine but they don't do much to quiet the sing of a straight gear transmission.
 
I think that is what I'm going to do. In the end, an extra $50 or so in good lube is cheap insurance on a 70+ year old tractor. Thanks to you and Bushog Papa for your input.
 
I just did the same in my Unstyled AR. Drained the engine oil along with the rear end oil ... bring on the bucket brigade.

I'm using the Rotella 15W40 in the engine and I'm looking to buy some gear oil today. I see the 90wt is recommended here, I'll go with that.

Thanks guys!
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top