Doing the 50 hr service today on BX23S...

[Mustard Tiger]

Will be doing the 50 hour service on my BX23S later today but wanted to check in to make sure I don't need any additional parts or fluids. Have had the tractor for a little over a month and just went over 49 hours yesterday digging a 250ft long, 3 ft deep trench for some freeze-proof yard hydrants. Been putting this little tractor to work digging out stumps, moving some sizable rocks, dug another trench for another yard hydrant a couple weeks ago, been using the backhoe and thumb to hold up logs so I don't have to bend over while bucking, etc. Owning this tractor has been a game changer.

Picked up the essentials from the dealer on Friday...engine and trans filters, engine oil, and a quart of SUDT2 (forgot I also have a gallon of SUDT2 I picked up prior just to have on hand) to top off after replacing the filter. The dealer also said to replace both fuel filters, despite that not being on the maintenance schedule.

I have read that some will replace all the hydraulic fluid at 50 hours even though it's not required by the manual because they want to inspect and clean the hydraulic fluid screen. as it can sometimes get gunked up with RTV particles. What's the general consensus on this? A bit overkill, and just wait until the recommended 400 hour interval to replace the hydraulic fluid, or split the difference and do it at 200 hours, or jsut say to heck with it and replace it all now and clean that screen?

Also, without knowing what is in the front axle from the factory (SUDT2 vs. SAE 80-SAE90 gear oil that the operator's manual states), is it safe to just top it off with SUDT2 because I have that on hand?

My neighbor across the street from me has a BX23S with 500 hours on it (original owner, bought new) and has only ever done what the owner's manual has stated at each service interval, nothing more, nothing less and pretty much leaves the tractor in 4WD all the time (we live on a grade with lots of rocky ground, 500ft elevation in the foothills so 4WD is very necessary here) and the only issue he's ever had that just started is a front axle seal leak, otherwise his tractor has been flawless. But you get caught up in reading all this stuff online and people say you should do this or that which differs from the operator's manual and start going don these rabbit holes...

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Will be doing the 50 hour service on my BX23S later today but wanted to check in to make sure I don't need any additional parts or fluids. Have had the tractor for a little over a month and just went over 49 hours yesterday digging a 250ft long, 3 ft deep trench for some freeze-proof yard hydrants. Been putting this little tractor to work digging out stumps, moving some sizable rocks, dug another trench for another yard hydrant a couple weeks ago, been using the backhoe and thumb to hold up logs so I don't have to bend over while bucking, etc. Owning this tractor has been a game changer.

Picked up the essentials from the dealer on Friday...engine and trans filters, engine oil, and a quart of SUDT2 (forgot I also have a gallon of SUDT2 I picked up prior just to have on hand) to top off after replacing the filter. The dealer also said to replace both fuel filters, despite that not being on the maintenance schedule.

I have read that some will replace all the hydraulic fluid at 50 hours even though it's not required by the manual because they want to inspect and clean the hydraulic fluid screen. as it can sometimes get gunked up with RTV particles. What's the general consensus on this? A bit overkill, and just wait until the recommended 400 hour interval to replace the hydraulic fluid, or split the difference and do it at 200 hours, or jsut say to heck with it and replace it all now and clean that screen?

Also, without knowing what is in the front axle from the factory (SUDT2 vs. SAE 80-SAE90 gear oil that the operator's manual states), is it safe to just top it off with SUDT2 because I have that on hand?

My neighbor across the street from me has a BX23S with 500 hours on it (original owner, bought new) and has only ever done what the owner's manual has stated at each service interval, nothing more, nothing less and pretty much leaves the tractor in 4WD all the time (we live on a grade with lots of rocky ground, 500ft elevation in the foothills so 4WD is very necessary here) and the only issue he's ever had that just started is a front axle seal leak, otherwise his tractor has been flawless. But you get caught up in reading all this stuff online and people say you should do this or that which differs from the operator's manual and start going don these rabbit holes...

With a new tractor, follow the owners manual to avoid any warranty hassle, as well as to maintain it. The front axle probably has SUDT2 from the factory. I use ~80w gear oil in my old L35 to slow the drips and there's no need for the special properties of the UDT. There are several areas, throttle linkage, foot pedals, etc., that could use a shot of oil. They don't have grease fittings. BTW, are you greasing your loader and backhoe at 10 hour interval?

If you want to check the suction screen, i think you could pull it without too much drippage by using the vacuum trick. Otherwise, you could drain and reuse the fluid, just keep it clean.

 

[Mustard Tiger]

With a new tractor, follow the owners manual to avoid any warranty hassle, as well as to maintain it. The front axle probably has SUDT2 from the factory. I use ~80w gear oil in my old L35 to slow the drips and there's no need for the special properties of the UDT. There are several areas, throttle linkage, foot pedals, etc., that could use a shot of oil. They don't have grease fittings. BTW, are you greasing your loader and backhoe at 10 hour interval?

If you want to check the suction screen, i think you could pull it without too much drippage by using the vacuum trick. Otherwise, you could drain and reuse the fluid, just keep it clean.

I do grease all the fittings every 10 hours. Picked up a battery operated grease gun (DeWalt since that's the platform most of my tools are) just for this tractor.

If there isn't much fluid loss when removing the screen that would work, but was thinking if it just drains most of the fluid out I might as well just replace it all while I'm at it. I'd rather not re-use drained fluid and would just spend the money for new fluid and not risk it getting contaminated once it's drained. Not worth saving a few bucks to re-use fluid on a brand new tractor.

 

[imnukensc]

There is some discrepancy in the owner's manuals as far as changing the hydraulic fluid. Some older ones said to do it at 50, some newer ones said 400. I changed it all at 50. My screen was quite gunked up with RTV particles.

 

[JimDeL]

There is some discrepancy in the owner's manuals as far as changing the hydraulic fluid. Some older ones said to do it at 50, some newer ones said 400. I changed it all at 50. My screen was quite gunked up with RTV particles.

I also changed mine at 50 hours. I was expecting the screen to have some 'gunk' in it, but it was remarkably clean. Changed the filter (only) at 200. We'll soon see what the screen looks like at 400...

 

[ZTMAN]

I think the 23s takes 3.5 gallons of hydraulic fluid if I remember the WSM instructions correctly. If you don't mind spending the extra money for fluid at the 50 hour service, I would change it.

I assume you already checked the front axle fluid. The level always seems to be low from the factory. Might as well change that as well. That only takes a gallon from what I remember.

Cheap insurance IMO