2003 Craftsman GT5000 HYDROSTATIC rear end oil change

Finally got all my stuff gathered up to change the hydro oil in the GT5000. It was a fairly simple job, the hardest part was getting the hitch plate bolts on the right side out but after that it was easy, this hydro model 331-3000 takes 20W-50 motor oil and it definitely needed a changing, glad I did it. The tractor performs a lot better now.

[@andrewchristiansen8311]

I have a 3013 honda with a hydrostatic rear. Cant find much on it but this purging is what I gotta figure out on mine. Thanks for this.

[@RooneysSears01]

Nice to know it helped someone lol now that I’ve gotten better equipment, I’d like to film this job again in more detail, there just aren’t many videos on these hydros . Thanks so much for watching

[@chadhadler982]

Thank you for taking the time to do this video!! It helps all sorts of people out here in KZbin land

[@RooneysSears01]

You bet Chad! I’m glad it can help people, I was searching for a video on how to change the oil too but not much out there.

[@1968hambone]

Get’tem buddy...you’re always on top of your maintenance!

[@richardbrady2818]

That gearator is the oil pump, thanks for taking us along on the video

[@mlcraig4267]

Thanks, I just followed your video to change the fluid in my Craftsman GT3000..

[@RooneysSears01]

You’re welcome, I’m glad it helped

[@reduffysm]

I'm changing the oil in mine today, it's draining now and after 15 years of use the oil still looks pretty good.

[@ericjr16blazer]

Nice work Rooney! That's the forum I am part of, good folks on it.

[@RooneysSears01]

Thanks E! It was definitely worth the work to change it! And of course only now that I'm typing this that I thought of slotting that one bolt hole on the hitch plate so all I have to do next time is loosen that bolt lol oh well next season! lol

[@PaulieDetmurds]

Dang, you make it look so fun.

[@RooneysSears01]

Like going to the dentist fun Paulie lol! But no the job wasn't too bad but i'm so glad I did it because the hydro seems alot happier. I definitely recommend doing this task.

[@AM-vg2wq]

Have issues with hydrostatic on a crafstman dys 4500 learned a few things from your video thanks

[@RooneysSears01]

I’m glad it helped Alan! I’m thinking about doing a follow up video on this Craftsman, the transmission has been working flawlessly

[@AM-vg2wq]

Cannot get the filler lid of the Allen key way is striped doh lol

[@LawnGardenFun]

Good work my friend. I like that little Bolens

[@RooneysSears01]

Thanks Keith! It worked good before but I can feel a differed in it now, it just performs so much better. That Bolens is a lot like an older Sears hydro, mows once, sits twice, mows once, sits thrice lol!

[@brianjosey6387]

Thank you your video it was very detailed and you explained everything exactly to a T

[@RooneysSears01]

Thank you for the nice comment Brian! I’ve been thinking of doing a better version of this oil change now that I have better camera equipment so we shall see

[@71_sears97]

Looks like it's well on its way to being a reliable tractor for you!

[@RooneysSears01]

It sure is Danimal! I've been on it since you dropped it off but man it's been worth it, what a great mower to use!

[@barryhunt5357]

I had 2 GT3000S , a 99 and a 2001 , both Kohler/Hydros , the 01 had a Hyd filter and the 99 didn't . Great video tip Buddy !!!!!!

[@RooneysSears01]

Boy Todd I can't believe the difference in performance with fresh oil! I highly recommend doing this if you haven't yet, it feels new n young again lol

[@sonofapollo5892]

@@RooneysSears01 Really I'm surprised.Damn

[@alleycat1117]

Good work!!

[@RooneysSears01]

Thank you sir!

[@68Deere]

Isn’t it amazing how a little maintenance goes a long way?? Lol nice update bud! Yeah I still hate the concept of “non serviceable transmissions” cause the oil still breaks down over time!

[@RooneysSears01]

I hear ya zman! This is the stuff that has to get figured out and get done to get many more years outta your investments lol thanks my friend! It sure ran strong after this, I was climbing ditches like nobodies business lol

[@turboty209]

Did it fix the whine noise?

[@MidwestMotoRider]

Man that oil was ready to change. Hope filling it was easy!

[@RooneysSears01]

I hate that term "unserviceable " lol this oil was nasty! The changing part was a lot easier that getting the hitch plate off that's for sure! The bolts are right next to the shifter rod n brakes so what a bear getting them out

[@MidwestMotoRider]

@@RooneysSears01 Yeah, so many things are now "Unserviceable" its sad. I bet that hitch plate was a bear to get off and probably putting it back on was no joy either.

[@RooneysSears01]

MidwestMotoRider no it wasn't an easy task, but next year I want to change it again but I'll slot the hole for that bolt right behind the shifter linkage and that should help a lot

[@kevintomb]

Toughest part, was removing the Hitch plate/rear frame crossmember bolts, as there is not much room to get to the heads of the bolts with a wrench. Seems they could have designed the plate to allow maybe an inch more room!!

[@RooneysSears01]

I couldn’t agree with you more, I had to remove the hitch plate again to fix the shifter and I cut off the corner right behind that shifter rod so all I have to do next time is loosen the bolt without removing it.

[@wtbm123]

Cool

[@RooneysSears01]

Thanks Terry! Where there's a will there's a way lol unserviceable my butt haha!

[@redneckbryon]

I'm surprised it doesn't have a filter I had two similar machine a while back, with a remote automotive-style filter.

[@RooneysSears01]

I wish it did too lol it has an internal filter under the bottom cover. I'm glad I changed the oil at least, what a big difference in performance

[@ThomasShue]

How did you find a shop mAnual online for download?

[@RooneysSears01]

I just googled the model number of this model rear end, I believe it was on the Hydrogear website if I remember right

[@60Oldfart]

nice toy

[@RooneysSears01]

Thank you sir! It’s still running n driving top notch to this day lol

[@sonofapollo5892]

@@RooneysSears01 what year is it?

[@RooneysSears01]

@@sonofapollo5892 it’s a 2003, it’s had a replacement engine put on it at some point but it still runs strong

[@RattyFlyer]

My manual said bring it in for service lol 🤭

[@RooneysSears01]

Lol

[@cliffordsawyer2994]

They want your 💰💰 They never expect older generations to change it themselfs to "hard" for them

[@Tony2tall]

Curious what you used to pour oil in with? Funnel attached to breather hose? Update : This morning I removed hitch plate and proceeded to remove gearator cover but one bolt would not budge. I was using a plain hex wrench. A hex bit on a air impact would probably be a better option.

[@RooneysSears01]

Hey Tony, I used one of those long funnels but left the breather hose and fitting out, that was just my method, also I left the plug out of the side too and stopped pouring once it started coming out.

[@eddymumford4086]

is that plastic on the pulley shaft 🤔🤔🤔

[@RooneysSears01]

lol that white part is the nipple for the vent hose

[@nathanbrunner6026]

Do you still have your two craftsman gt 5000 tractors?

[@RooneysSears01]

We sure do, I actually just got home from mowing at my moms with them lol

[@willkillmer6966]

Does it take gear oil too? Or just 20-50 engine oil? I'm needing to do this to my mower soon. Ive got the DGT6000.

[@RooneysSears01]

No gear oil needed in these newer units, just the 20-50, there is an internal filter in these hydro's as well but I didn't change mine.

[@willkillmer6966]

@@RooneysSears01 I really appreciate the quick response and this video. Sure did clear up alot of questions I had about the procedure and approach of going about things, I didnt wanna drill a hole for a drain plug or anything else other people have done. Im definatly gonna follow your instruction process. Thanks again!

[@RooneysSears01]

Will Killmer anytime Will! Ya I was in the same boat when I got this GT, nobody had any vids on it. So I found an article on a garden tractor forum and figured I'd share lol good luck with yours man!

[@willkillmer6966]

@@RooneysSears01 Smart thinkin buddy, thanks again, I'll let ya know how things went. I'll get to it this weekend. I'm changing out a few parts doing an upgrade/DSAI conversion on the coils, front wheel bushings to steel bearings with new dust caps oh and LED headlights. Maybe I can make a video showcase my tractor and tell you how things went.

[@ds1755]

Can you do a video on changing the fluid on your dad’s manual transmission? I have one that needs service but don’t know where to start at the moment. Thanks in advance Mr. Rooney

[@RooneysSears01]

I can sure try mr DS, I can at least go up to my moms and look at it to see if it’s the same as my older Sears. These are a very similar if not the same Peerless trans that Sears has used since 1966.

[@ds1755]

@@RooneysSears01 thanks a bunch

[@davidhardman6291]

You really need to add "hydrostatic" to the description so you're not wasting people's time.

[@RooneysSears01]

I added the word HYDROSTATIC just like you requested I seriously don’t want anyone else wasting their time watching! But thanks for suffering though it for me!

[@cliffordsawyer2994]

😂 I watch more than half because the thumb nail happend to be the 6speed and the hole video is on a hydro 😂

[@1968hambone]

Get’tem buddy...you’re always on top of your maintenance!

[@RooneysSears01]

Thanks HB! I think it's part of the sickness am I right? Lol!