Best Time to Service Spring or Fall?

[Creature Meadow]

Question for you guys and gals.

I do not adhere to fluid change intervals in my manual for servicing motor and hydro oil. I know too some this may be a waste but no way I will ever convince wife we need a new tractor should my L4600 die. So there is that.

I change the motor oil in her and filter each year as well as hydro filter and the hydro oil every 200 hours plus or minus a few.

Question would it be better to perform this maintenance before winter or in the spring after the cold weather is gone or does it matter?

I drive tractor almost every day for something year around may be for an hour or half day depends.

Wanted you thoughts on when is best time and since I'm changing so often waiting from October to March will make little difference as I will not exceed what Kubota says with regards to hours.

I'm only talking about the oil here, trans, motor, and front end. Zerks are serviced every 10 hours plus or minus both on tractor and loader.

Next change of hydro and front end will be with Sudt2 and motor oil will be Amsoil diesel heavy duty.

I realize some will say my schedule is a waste of money and I am ok with that it is peace of mind for me and a 20K plus machine a few hundred dollars a year it is worth it to me.

So spring or fall is the question?

Thanks in advance for thoughts and insight happy tractoring Jay Katie and Ella.

 

[85Hokie]

I have seen a many a conversation about this in the past......

WITH your situation, since yours purrs all the time, it really does not matter when. Some say it is best to change BEFORE you gear up for the "Season" - some say change it AFTER the season is over.

I change it based on:
How many hours been logged
How long has it been in years?
Do I have everything I need?
This might be the #1 thing.....do I feel like getting under that machine TODAY?

For your situation - I would change it when YOU feel the need and have the time to do it! - A machine like yours will last damn near forever - because you use it daily and keep an eye on it!

 

[jajiu]

Like you, I change my oil and filter every year, regardless of hrs. Good clean oil makes things run better and makes me feel like I'm taking good care of my equipment. The Hydro. fluid I change the filter every year, and the fluid when I really beat the hell out of the machine on a project or when the hrs. call for it. As for Spring or Fall, I like to have things ready for winter so I usually try to get it done in the fall. I have a 1,000' gravel driveway and don't need a break down during a snow storm. There is always the unforeseen, but at least I feel I've done my best to prevent a break down.

 

[Creature Meadow]

So this is good first 2 responses don't imply I am crazy this is good

85Hokie, I work Katie much harder in the spring and summer months than I do in the winter as we rarely have snow here in eastern NC.

Spring and summer I am working my garden subsoiling it, disking, and bedding rows. We have about 3000' total feet of road I maintain so couple days dragging land plane and then once a month for 5 or 6 hours a day to maintain it, just too much moisture in winter to work road as it is clay, sand, gravel mix.

Question? Is not condensation more prevalent in the winter months than summer so would I benefit more changing in Spring which would also be just prior to my time of the year when I work her the hardest?

Thanks for input.

I am sure I am over thinking this but I have gained much insight here since joining OTT so just thought I would throw this out there and see what others thought.

 

[Daren Todd]

I don't really put more then 30 to 50 hours on the tractor in a year. So, I change the engine oil and fuel filters in the fall. This way I make sure there isn't any condensation in the fuel filters if I need the tractor for snow removal. I usually change the hydraulic fluid every other year when I service the tractor.

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