Replace "every 4 years" maintenance

[dje]

I recently bought a 2017 BX23S with 110 hours on it. Looking at the operator's manual I see a number of service intervals that say "replace every 4 years", such as:
- radiator hose & clamp
- power steering oil line
- fuel line
- etc

Is it really necessary to replace these every 4 years, or is it sufficient to just check them regularly for issues?

Thanks.

 

[PaulL]

I recently bought a 2017 BX23S with 110 hours on it. Looking at the operator's manual I see a number of service intervals that say "replace every 4 years", such as:
- radiator hose & clamp
- power steering oil line
- fuel line
- etc

Is it really necessary to replace these every 4 years, or is it sufficient to just check them regularly for issues?

Thanks.

On my BX I didn't replace, I just inspected. When you do that, you need to be aware that they could break at an inopportune time (so not a good idea if you use your tractor to earn a living, but fine on a weekend machine), and might do some damage when they break if you don't notice. Obviously a fuel line you'd notice if it was leaking, and you'd notice if your power steering stopped working. Arguably you could have a leaking radiator hose and not notice, and lose cooling.

I think it's like everything, it's easier for them to say replace than to say "depends on how you store it, how you use it, how you treat it". Liability and all that stuff. I have no idea what would wear out on a radiator hose clamp, for example.

My B2601 is only 2 years old. I guess I have to make a decision when I get to 4 years, but I can't see that I'd be replacing things. I store it inside, they still look like new.

 

[Nicksacco]

Hey All,
4 years can be an incredibly long time for a machine that gets run hard everyday. I think Paul's @PaulL second paragraoh hits the nail on the head.

If you go with "inspect" you could look for cracking on hoses for example or loose clamps, or leaks here and there. Generally at least a cursory inspection should be performed before you use it next time anyway.

For aircraft, each type has a checklist that is used in the "walk-around" or pre-flight phase. Things like oil level. gas level, leaks, low tires, and so on - you could create one for yourself.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Its their estimate of mean time to failure for normal service items and is intended to minimize the chances of what the auto industry calls "walk home" failures. Feel free to roll the dice - many people do.

Dan

 

[mcfarmall]

The expiration date is the biggest driver of all commerce...prove me wrong. Want to boost sales of a particular product? Print an expiration date on it.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

yes, 'Best before dates' are a great SCAM ! I know one person and she probably tosses out 14 to 1/3rd of her $$$ food all the time. She buys in bulk (COSTCO ) but can't eat it all fast enough before she buys even more of it..... Odds are pretty good she's not the only one doing it either....

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Is it really necessary to replace these every 4 years, or is it sufficient to just check them regularly for issues?

Thanks.

Inspecting is a good idea for sure.

Just for reference, my truck is 17 years old and I still have the original power steering hoses and fuel lines on it.

No problems so far.

I have changed the belt a few times due to cracking which was found during my oil change inspection, and the radiator hoses once, but only cause the radiator leaked and I decided to error on the side of caution and replace them while I had it apart.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

yes, 'Best before dates' are a great SCAM ! I know one person and she probably tosses out 14 to 1/3rd of her $$$ food all the time. She buys in bulk (COSTCO ) but can't eat it all fast enough before she buys even more of it..... Odds are pretty good she's not the only one doing it either....

There are LOTS of people that do that.

Just off the top of my head, I can think of 5 people I know who do this.

Hell, I got a friend that tosses stuff the day before it expires.

I keep things it until they start growing a fur coat.

Eggs stay good for 2 months past their sell by date.

 

[GeoHorn]

My circa-1996 M4700 is still operating with its’ original hoses, clamps, oil lines, tires, …and as far as I know…. coolant. I plan to change the coolant shortly…and am wondering if I shouldn’t also change all the hoses after 26 years….

( I figure I’ll lose the water pump shortly thereafter.)

<edit> (The little sticker on the WalMart Easy-Start Battery tells me the PO changed it 4/18….about a week before I bought it. The fact that battery died a week after I bought it told me why. The alternator only put out 11 volts and the seller wanted to hide that info. He also removed the charge-warning lamp co-located with the fuel-level warning.
After reading the manual, replacing the lamp & alternator I also added an ammeter to the lower panel.)
PS: After charging…that WM Easy-Start battery is still going strong.

 

[dje]

Thanks for the confirmation all - I'll stay on top of all the fluids, filters and lubrication and then monitor the hoses, etc.

 

[SteveBX23]

Mind sharing what you paid?

 

[dje]

Mind sharing what you paid?

$23K Canadian.

 

[fried1765]

The expiration date is the biggest driver of all commerce...prove me wrong. Want to boost sales of a particular product? Print an expiration date on it.

My 2006 L48 TLB came to me in 2019, with 251 hours.
Until 2019 it had lived outside (inside now)
17 years old, to date, nothing has been replaced, except fluids, filters, and battery.

 

[fried1765]

My circa-1996 M4700 is still operating with its’ original hoses, clamps, oil lines, tires, …and as far as I know…. coolant. I plan to change the coolant shortly…and am wondering if I shouldn’t also change all the hoses after 26 years….

( I figure I’ll lose the water pump shortly thereafter.)

<edit> (The little sticker on the WalMart Easy-Start Battery tells me the PO changed it 4/18….about a week before I bought it. The fact that battery died a week after I bought it told me why. The alternator only put out 11 volts and the seller wanted to hide that info. He also removed the charge-warning lamp co-located with the fuel-level warning.
After reading the manual, replacing the lamp & alternator I also added an ammeter to the lower panel.)
PS: After charging…that WM Easy-Start battery is still going strong.

Walmart brand = "EverStart"
"EverStart Maxx" is their best.

 

[Gb540]

In this area you'll see 50+ y/o tractors still running with their original hydraulic and steering hoses. And on the other extreme, a local recently bought a grapple attachment off the Internet, and the Chinesium hoses were leaking within a week.

So as others advised, monitor the ones you have. If there's no obvious weathering or seeping I'd run them.

 

[mikester]

I check my belts and hoses each service and only replace if I find an issue i.e. worn, cracked, brittle, frayed, delaminating, ...

Fluids and filters get changed as per the service interval suggestions. Cheaper than buying new equipment. Cheap insurance too.