Checking fluid in front axle - BX1880

[Bearcatrp]

Mine has a yellow cap. Tried pulling on it but doesn’t budge. Tried turning it but it just spins. Book doesn’t state how to remove to check fluid. Afraid to pull harder and break it. Anyone know how it comes off? Thanks

 

[GrizBota]

There’s an O ring on the dip stick. It must be stuck to the housing and the plastic dipstick is can be twisted within it.

Maybe try pushing downward? Worse case, pull harder and the O ring comes with it or falls in the housing or the dipstick becomes two pieces. Probably don’t need that hassle.

 

[leveraddict]

An o ring on the stick makes the seal and yes its tight! Pulling hard will remove the dip stick. With my arthritic hands I use a large needle nose plyers to pry up on the cap. They are a bugger to remove by hand!

 

[Mowbizz]

I just used apair of channel lock pliers to gently pry the dipstick up.

 

[RCW]

I just used apair of channel lock pliers to gently pry the dipstick up.

Yep - - what I do also.

 

[ve9aa]

Yeah, it's not easy to pull out.

 

[Orangeglow]

Wiggle and turn while lifting up at the same time. Be careful you don,t bang your hand on something when it finally comes loose.

 

[skeets]

What they said,, and yes be careful lest many naughty words doth flow from thy lips

 

[Bearcatrp]

Thanks folks. Will give it try tonight. Just afraid I’ll brake it and have to order another and wait for it to come in.

 

[GeoHorn]

Maybe on a BX1880… but on other..??

My M4700DT has no “dipstick” on the front axle.…only a threaded plug on the upper surface, presumeably to be used primarily for re-filling the axle.

A rod, stick, wire, or other can be inserted to the bottom of the axle-housing to gain a sense of how much oil is in there.

The WSM and the OM both specify how much oil is in the axle. When I drained the old fluid I measured how much came out. (Not a lot…maybe a quart…but the reason I drained it was to replace a leaking seal.). The amount specified for my axle is 8 qts. I used a new garden sprayer with graduations marked on it’s side… (and with the spray nozzle removed)… filled with gear oil.

I added 8 qts of 80W90 gear oil. I then used a metal rod to see how high upon that rod the 8 qts rose…and marked it. Now I have a dipstick for the front axle, kept in my “tractor stuff“ box.

 

[GrizBota]

Maybe on a BX1880… but on other..??

My M4700DT has no “dipstick” on the front axle.…only a threaded plug on the upper surface, presumeably to be used primarily for re-filling the axle.

A rod, stick, wire, or other can be inserted to the bottom of the axle-housing to gain a sense of how much oil is in there.

The WSM and the OM both specify how much oil is in the axle. When I drained the old fluid I measured how much came out. (Not a lot…maybe a quart…but the reason I drained it was to replace a leaking seal.). The amount specified for my axle is 8 qts. I used a new garden sprayer with graduations marked on it’s side… (and with the spray nozzle removed)… filled with gear oil.

I added 8 qts of 80W90 gear oil. I then used a metal rod to see how high upon that rod the 8 qts rose…and marked it. Now I have a dipstick for the front axle, kept in my “tractor stuff“ box.

No check plug on your M? Interesting. A stick will do.

 

[Steve67]

Like others have said it’s a bugger to pull out, if you keep the O ring wet with oil it helps to remove it. You can get tough with it you won’t break it

Yeah, it's not easy to pull out.

I see what you did there !

 

[GeoHorn]

No check plug on your M? Interesting. A stick will do.

I’m guessing you didn’t read the entire post?

 

[GrizBota]

I’m guessing you didn’t read the entire post?

Yours? Twice now. You made your own dip stick. Does the M not have a check plug?

 

[xrocketengineer]

If the yellow plug/dipstick is that tight, your axle is already low on oil. I had to pull mine the first time with a vise grip. after adding oil (per the manual) and the o ring on the dipstick got wet with oil, no more problems. Some wiggling and out comes the dipstick every time.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I put vicegrips on mine(light grip..) then whacked with hammer from below. That was a LOT safer than any 'pry from top' method. At 70, I like to keep my thin skin ON my hands for some silly reason.....

 

[number two]

I use 2 of those little mechanics pocket screwdrivers.
Gently pry on each side of the yellow plug and lift it to where it can be gripped and removed.
Lubing the o-ring upon installation does not seem to help removal next time.
And I still have to whack the plug with a plastic hammer to seat the plug when installing.
This is on my B3030,which sounds like we have the same dipstick?
Good Luck!

 

[Bearcatrp]

Finally got it off. Used a flat head to lift it up some. Seemed to let out some pressure. Came off then. Had to pop it with a hammer to seat it in again. What a piss poor design.

 

[cthomas]

Would you rather it be loose? Did you put some oil on the orings?

 

[Bearcatrp]

Would you rather it be loose? Did you put some oil on the orings?

No, Yes