Skidozer 302HD - Lube Question on Pump Drives

[kgracey]

Hey there,

I'm going through the different machine fluids, trying to be sure that I'm putting the right stuff in the right places. Best I can tell, this machine works like this:

Diesel engine => Pump Drives => Final Drives

The fluids include Engine (4.6 gallons 10W), Funk Drive for Pumps (5 liters 75/80), Final Drives (2.6 liters 75/80) and Hydrostatic Oil Reservoir (24 gallons ATF-F). So far I've only identified locations to fill/drain the Engine, Hydrostatic Reservoirs.

I haven't identified the fill and drain for the "Funk Drive for Pumps" (or the Final Drives. . . one thing at a time).

Below you see a photo behind the cab of the engine and pumps. See the black cover with the round cutout? There's a nut here which looks like where I'd fill the Funk Drive for Pumps (what a name!). Can anybody confirm this? And if this is the filling place, where's the drain to remove the old oil?

Thanks all ahead of time. I'm most appreciative of these forums!

 

[Thiokol2track]

Kgracey, nice pics. The funk-drive fill is the plug in your second pic with the small vent. The plug you see in the center of the hole. The full-level is checked by one of two plugs directly on the side ,not quite half way up the case, the plugs should be allen-head plugs, same for 2 or 3 pump funk-drives. Is this a john deere powered machine?? :snow2

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

Ken, That is most certainly a Hydro, Your final drives should also be 80-90W

 

[kgracey]

I imagine that the drain plug must be underneath the pump, so I can get to it when I change the oil. Anybody else know how to drain the pumps? Got the filling part under control

@ Thiokol2track: it's a Deere diesel.

@ Boggie: much thanks as usual!

 

[kgracey]

Hey all, tomorrow is my big day to get underneath this machine. I would have had it done today but I encountered this very loud sound which was the fan hitting the cowling - what a racket. It would have made you deaf. So I yanked the fan out and ground down the fins so it wouldn't make that noise anymore.

And back to my question: should I expect to see the funk drive pump drain underneath the snowcat, just like the oil drain?

Thanks MUCH!

 

[BigAl]

Ken... If the fan was hitting, why ???? Check for a broken motor mount . Something is out of line!

 

[kgracey]

Al, I have the same thoughts. I think that the cowling around the fan is attached to a big enclosure that straddles the front of the engine and radiator. This assembly could have shifted around since it's just sheetmetal. . . but I'm not really sure. Like you, I was bothered by the fact that the fan only hit the cowling when the frame was under stress by only having the front and back supported. Right now it's up on 6x6 blocks and tomorrow I'm headed underneath the beast!

It was great to take it for a maiden voyage. Hydrostatic drive is really nice - zero radius turns are useful on my road. But it's a huge, strong machine, much more than I need when I'm done yankin' these trees. Placer County is gettin' a bit crazy - they just passed an ordinance that allows people to point the finger at fuel-loaded (i.e., dead trees) properties adjacent to their property. If you have such a property [like I do], and you don't yank the dead trees, the county can fine you up to $25K. Only in California. This is so crazy. Anyway, I plan on cleaning it up before the neighbors start complaining. Imagine if I started hunting bears on my property.

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

I imagine that the drain plug must be underneath the pump, so I can get to it when I change the oil. Anybody else know how to drain the pumps? Got the filling part under control

@ Thiokol2track: it's a Deere diesel.

@ Boggie: much thanks as usual!

Ken, You might find a case drain on the bottom of the pump. but I have to caution you here and couple of things to consider. first you are approaching the heart of your machine and you need to treat as such any little piece of dirt in the pump can do damage. normally all pumps are cleaned before opening any orfice to the pump. then all parts are worked on in clean room quality area. If you do drain your pump. BEFORE YOU EVEN TURN THE ENGINE OVER YOU MUST FILL THE PUMP WITH OIL IF YOU DON'T YOUR PUMP COULD BE DAMAGED AND RUINED. also on startup after removal or draining you should upon starting have a gage attached to the charge pump pressure port and check that you have charge pressure if you do not shut it down right then. unless you are having problems with the pump my opinon is to leave it alone. warm it up change you fluid and filters. and leave the pump cavity sealed.