John Deere 35D Excavator: Travel Gear Box Oil Replace & Rubber Track Adjustment

In this video I bring you along as I service out a new to me 2012 John Deere 35D Excavator. In this video I replace the travel gear box oil (final drives) and adjust the tracks. This machine has rubber tracks and is slightly different than adjusting steel tracks.
-Enjoy!

[@jdjd962]

Totally going to need videos of him operating now like an adult blippi

[@TheRealEricO]

It's super fun 😁

[@oldogbert]

@@TheRealEricO make sure to watch some Andrew Camarata videos. He'll definitely teach you how to be an expert PRNY redneck equipment operator 😃😁😁

[@jdretiree2433]

@@TheRealEricO Where is your John Deere hat? You definitely need one now.

[@alanragsdale9220]

Mr O. How bout doing another video with You're Brother. You and Him working on something like this would be Great. And some more with Mrs O. Thank YOU. It's Always good to see All of You!!

[@bombardier3qtrlbpsi]

You woke me up for just 10 min.😂😂 You better hide the 35D from your neighbors. You won't get your own projects done 😅. Thanks for sharing your maintenance check.

[@bulldogsv2]

Hey, neighbor, I'm looking to put in an egress window so my mother-in-law living in the basement has half a chance to survive. Can I borrow your 35D?

[@wildbill23c]

HAHA, very true....at least for me I don't have to worry about that, I have a sub-compact tractor, so luckily nobody needs anything that size....I've done a couple of mowing jobs for friends and co-workers, but that's the extent of my side work, and non-paid. I don't do tractor work as a business or a job, so I won't accept money for it as I don't want to deal with all the implications of doing so....I'm not a business, and my tractor isn't for hire....Someday maybe, but until I figure out how to deal with the money part of it, and the business part of it, I won't hire out for anything...and more importantly, I'm not licensed or insured....and I'm extremely new at this tractor thing, so I am far from comfortable at the controls for doing loader type work, and being a sub-compact tractor it don't have much for a lift capacity anyways. A friend of mine had me come over and roto-till and prep an area in his back yard for a shed...and I can see where a tractor this size would be extremely useful in a sub-division where there's hardly any room to get into the back yard...only had about a foot of clearance between the house and fence at the entry point into the yard, and about 2-3 inches of space at the other end...it was a tight squeeze...and made quick work out of that tilling and gravel placement job but took quite a while as like I said I'm not a tractor person, so I don't have much operator experience with them, so things go much slower for me as I try to figure things out without damaging stuff LOL.

[@markb3129]

Great tip on using the head of a bolt for measuring distance where is not easy with a tape measure. I'm putting that one in my back pocket for sure!✌🏻

[@lrrromicronpersei8294]

Nice video I only found this 2nd channel the other day anyone else think Eric O should mention it on his main channel a few times I’m sure there are many viewers who would watch this as well

[@michaelmaker8169]

Probably doesn't want the haters to follow.😂

[@edwardhugus2772]

The use of the 8mm bolt with a 13mm head as a guage was a GREAT move! Loving watching the new playlist!

[@RenegadesGarage]

Eric O - After Hours... Love this kind of content.

[@craigsowers8456]

good idea on using the hex head bolt for checking rubber tracks height ... we call it a "Go-No Go Gage" ... very handy in the field. Doesn't matter where the "joint" is ... tension is what counts ... even when replacing the rubber tracks ... it always comes off/on as a single track. If it were "Steel Tracks" then it's helpful.

[@wallingj68]

I was hoping that after you replaced the travel gear box oil and track adjustment you would go for a toot around town. You could have had a 3 hour video at that point! 🙂

[@iminthecorner3116]

Free tip Tuesday...most dirt equipment cylinders don't have holding valves. So, an elevated machine will settle on you after a little time. You'll hear the creak/pop of settling. Just a little FYI. I enjoy your vids and appreciate the work you put into them. Enjoy and be safe..

[@snoopdogie187]

Still works great for a quick repair that you aren't going to put any part of your body, or anything that can be crushed under.

[@imtheeastgermanguy5431]

I was working as an car machenic but not as professional as you. But now I quit the job and start working with excavators the size like in the video but also bigger. I'm new to the game but luckily I found your channel and did learn a lot about fixing cars and diagnosis which I didn't learn in the past. There was always changing parts and then go from there, pretty stupid to rip off costumers but I'm not the boss but it did bring down my motivation for working. Not that I'm lazy but working for a small amount of money for a boss who don't even say "you did the job well!" is not nice at all. Not speaking of the lack of tools and equipment, neither the workshop. Rotten and molten walls, everything was wet and old, dirty and everyone did smoking. 3,5 years is enough, I'm 31 now and want to do something useful with my lifetime. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Watch Wes Work is a great channel for excavators too!!

[@imtheeastgermanguy5431]

@@roxanneabbott8424 it's not really interesting

[@sargefreedom1578]

Maintenance is cheap compared to repairs. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jlancaster7482]

I would have never guessed the tension was adjusted via grease gun.

[@Blazer02LS]

Done that way for a long time, all the way back to the early Holt and Cletracs. There is a cylinder that pushes the rear idler out to adjust the track.

[@jmanatee]

I liked the trick of using a bolt head for a measuring tool... I never thought of that before.... I am sure I will use that for something in the future

[@themalewhale59]

Nice to see some preventative maintenance going on. That machine looks like it could really do with it. And it will thank you. When do we see it digging?😊

[@petersmart1999]

They may be referring to steel track machines .To remove tracks remove the grease zerk in the adjustment cylinder,push on track at idler wheel till loose.Remove track. Run the tracks just tight enough to no fall off,check them daily . This will make them last alot longer.

[@dennysweet6051]

Center joint refers to the Joint on steel tracks where are the rail is connected. Good maintenance video. Nice job.

[@IoannisKokovidis]

I hope the next one is all about greasing...It 'll last longer!!!! Well done Eric...Have fun with this one..

[@walterkucharski4790]

That machine is a sure "new friend finder" I don't have a trailer that can handle it so it lets me turn them down gently. Now look around for a smooth ditch bucket or make a bolt on smooth lip for your digging bucket. Also a narrow bucket is great for trenching and stump removal it has more digging force than the wide one.. Good luck.

[@wildbill23c]

Definitely the case with equipment like that, I think the excavators, and skid steers are the 2 main items that'll get you a lot of "friends" and usually not good ones in my area...people where I live want you to do everything for them, but for free. Lucky for me my tractor is of the type that doesn't really have any call for its use, other than for myself on my own property. I have mowed a couple pastures for friends and co-workers, and did a tilling job at a friend's and moved some gravel on site for a shed build, but that is the extent of stuff I've done, and wasn't paid for as I don't care to deal with the money stuff that comes with a business that I don't have...on top of that I'm not licensed or insured, so I don't care to do anything like this anyways for people....that and the annoyance of loading and tying down, untying and unloading of equipment....by the time I get done with that I'm past caring about what I was going to do with it LOL. On top of that I don't really have the proper tow vehicle for doing it either....With my trailer, tractor, and implements I'm about 700 pounds away from max capacity of my vehicle, too close for comfort for me to really do too much.

[@stiggyness1976]

Eric, I used to work for a company in the UK called Molson compact equipment, they are the UK dealer for Kobelco plant equipment. I worked on everything from 1 ton upto 14 ton machines. I did electrics and hydraulics and also did the PDAs for machines. The rubber tracks don't really have a centre point, also the tightness of the tracks isn't that critical, asking has it's not overly tight or too slack, we never had customers come back and complain about anything like that. We serviced the equipment for the customers, and believe me alot of customers do not look after their equipment. We have seen equipment that's been 6 to 12 months old and it looks like junk 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣.

[@pookatim]

I think the "center joint" refers to steel tracks. It is like a master link on a bike chain.

[@knighthawk86855]

Wife said if you are going to leave it for any length of time, to store it with the arm-boom extended outward, with the bucket on the ground, so the rams don't rust.

[@rlewis1946]

Good suggestion! So many don’t do that. Also, I would equip this 35D with GPS Finder protection. One whose battery is off until needed. Good insurance.

[@Boraxo]

Check ALL your track idler wheels.

[@joec7275]

Eric, I enjoy all the content you do. These heavy equipment and tractor videos are great because now I have a little bit of knowledge just in case I ever encounter the need to work on something similar.

[@dustinstambaugh2611]

Awesome glad to see you change final drives the most overlooked maintenance on heavy equipment. Don't forget cabin filter under floor panel Find track joint by rolling over and it will usually sag in certain spot a little or alot depending how new the tracks are

[@agger838]

do them every oil change...

[@Chico-td2fy]

Yeh there would be a joint if it had metal track. Your good!

[@AKChryslertech]

Ah the maintenance tasks that always get missed! Awsome stuff Mr O, enjoy the "new" machine!

[@hodesto]

Track is one piece. Service hydraulics next.

[@markkershner9328]

Good call on doing hydro fluids. It's the more overlooked task from what i have seen.. Pays off over time..... Cheers from Southeast Michigan.

[@rider547]

It’s almost time to play in the dirt! Great videos as always! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Danzilly]

Eric hope you do a video on using it on a project!

[@jamesmushinski9872]

I THINK ERIC LIKES HIS NEW TOY !!!!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Love these videos @Eric O - After Hours

[@vger66]

Love this stuff. Thanks Mr O

[@tomhughes4980]

Making Letsdig18 proud!😊

[@Tom-In-Ga]

Well no one mentioned it and it has nothing to do with the machine, but, nice family picture at the end. 👍

[@benjaminmatte5225]

Such an easy way to check something instead of becoming a contortionist to try and use a tape to measure that, cool idea. I learned a new thing today at 52 years old.

[@w762nato6]

Digger Erik my Grandson wants one now!

[@arthurcunningham530]

Going to have to watch Lets Dig18 to understand the finer points running an excavator, Or in other words how to stay out of trouble.

[@jamesmac8424]

Let's dig 18 is a great channel and he's an unbelievable operator. I like his videos of getting others' equipment unstuck.

[@williamgagnonroadboxservice]

Good to see you doing this after hours one thing you don’t want is the kids or even mama around that machine while we are learning.

[@MRrwmac]

Cool measuring bolt head tip. Paint it and sell it as a special tool…haha

[@Dee12327]

I could smell that gear oil all the way in Alberta 😂

[@mgb961]

Eric ...of course you know we all want to see you digging and learning...would be a great video!.....just saysing!

[@00taohio85]

You need to start watching Let’s dig 18 now.

[@carlbyington5185]

Hi from Cali... :) Now, go scoooop up a huge ball of ice cream with your new scoooper LOL

[@oldogbert]

lol😄😄

[@ronaldanderson9263]

Always good to watch obvious competency at work. You will be a pro on this type of work soon enough.

[@MrGardman]

interesting video. I don't have any earth moving equipment but still informative.

[@michaeldowns2389]

Nice machine ,good size easy to transport. I have a Taki 8k lb machine .it will load my f800 but I can move it with my ton truck if I don't need the f800

[@CPPCrispy]

I would have never though to use the head of a bolt as a measuring tool.

[@samh3029]

I hear you. That's why he's Eric O. and we're not.

[@aldonco]

Yeah that's straight up Mcgiver stuff.

[@theforeman1097]

Up next: Eric O digs a moat around the homestead lol.

[@ifitsnotbrokenfixit1193]

Eric, there is no center on that track. As for track tension, 1-2 fingers works great.

[@Craneman4100w]

Correct. The track joint is on steel tracks. There is a toothed section that locks together and is secured with the bolts that hold the track plates on.

[@staudenmaierca]

Should have brought in Mrs O. to smell the gear oil.

[@glenharper3136]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing Eric.

[@catmando4855]

The track joint they are talking about is for a steel track, not the rubber. The steel track would either have an "alligator" joint or master pin joint depending on the brand of track.

[@ferrumignis]

It's is written with the section for rubber tracks though, steel tracks have a separate section.

[@onenuttybuddy]

Hi Eric, the fact the guy didn't bother and service the machine and clean it up before attempting to sell it is an indication of how much he was into taking basic car of his machinery, "whether it needs it or not" Too funny!!😅😅😅

[@brettperkins4643]

Yeppers, thought so. That's a Tundra parked out front, TUNDRA TIME!!

[@billbergquist4722]

Check the backside of the final drives for a panel that covers the hose connections. Mine fill up with dirt, snow and other glop and stuff starts to corrode. It's a Bobcat E26 so don't know if JD is same

[@georgehofgren6123]

JD is the same... should be clean out sooner or later ~

[@richardwarnock2789]

At the end the right of your light those two rubber bars on top of the bottom tread

[@mikebeson3866]

Enjoying the vids. I am sure as everyone else is........What the hell are you going to do with that J D 35D Excavator? Are you running out of room for all the dead bodies? Are you taking a 2nd job working at the local cemetery? Are the Neutral Drop boys coming to town? You need a new way of "Neutral Dropping" a customers car? TELL US! I am dying over here!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

John deer older rubber track were mechanically connected looks like they never changed the manuals and copied the knformation over to newer machines that have solid rubber non mechanical connected tracks @ Eric O - After Hours

[@alanragsdale9220]

Oh right. Nice movable engine puller!!

[@wildbill23c]

The nice thing with something like that, or even a tractor/loader is you won't know what all you forgot to disconnect, that machine will just rip it right off for you LOL.

[@johnpereira822]

Not bad you did that pretty good most operators I work with would be jerking that machine around

[@additudeobx]

OMG ... Mr. O has gots hisself a Big Boy Toy!!!!

[@mayhew75]

🤪I was assured the final drive gear oil was always changed on our company Kubota kx91-2. Yeahhh- I stunk out the plastic injection company next door when I changed it..🤢

[@robertquast9684]

Lot better final drive design then our bobcat track loaders. They only have 1 small plug that drains slow. Takes some special 30$ a pint oil

[@jurpikag]

I can't wait for some Eric O digging vids!

[@nightstorm9128]

If your using gl5 oil make sure there's no bronze components in the drive ,,,,it will destroy bronze....gl4 is ok for bronze....

[@jiffy399]

Rubber ones don't separate, you just need to choose a good part that is not wore down when you measure

[@DYLANTRIES]

Rubber has no joint, metal ones tend to have more play at the joint so putting it on top will show it being pulled apart to get the loosest measurement instead of it being on the bottom and be under compression

[@aoverhage5181764]

Sone you are going to expect all the cars to jack themselves up :)

[@thedeerhunter4407]

GOOD STUFF ERIC O

[@albertmosack8797]

Hey Eric did you buy that machine to bury the customers that piss you off😂. Keep up the great videos!!'

[@kenj.8897]

Such a handy rig , good for you 👍

[@chuckdworak1909]

Can't wait to see you and and mrs.o in a friendly trench digging competition😅

[@NorthernRetreat]

If I've learned anything from mechanics, it's keep on top of changing all your fluids to manufacturers specs.

[@Leroys_Stuff]

These are fun to watch someone else do. There is no center on rubber tracks.

[@hommie789]

Eric, there is no center joint on rubber tracks, that is for the master pad of steel tracks. Also loosen those tracks. Yes John Deere wants them that tight but it wears the track way too fast. You want them just tight enough so you don't throw one off turning. About where they were looked good but going to spec wears the track so fast if you walk it at all it's ridiculous.

[@gs3504]

Nothing like a new toy!!!!

[@wildbill23c]

Very expensive hobby collecting construction equipment though HAHA!!! Although an excavator about that size would be very handy at times, I don't have nearly enough use of one to justify buying one, I'd just rent one for that once in a decade time I need to dig a trench and break stuff LOL. The tractor I bought doesn't have the backhoe feature on it either, would have had to get the tractor with a smaller engine to get the backhoe, and figured the extra few HP for PTO work would be a much better utilized investment than the backhoe. I'm extremely new to tractor stuff, being my first tractor, other than a riding mower, I am a horrible operator as I don't have the experience of operating stuff like this, so I just have to do everything very slowly, hoping to not damage anything in the process LOL.

[@montestu5502]

I’m no expert but I think they are just describing the center point of the track between the two ends. You know, the point where it will sag the most.

[@CannaMike420]

Perhaps that embossed data and brand information is the center/bottom.

[@WhiteBuffalo59]

GL 5 gear lube, Mrs. O's favorite after shave lotion.........😂😂

[@jimclifford1241]

Love this!

[@John_Ridley]

Ah yes, the "daily" check that most owners have never done.

[@wildbill23c]

...and wish they would have when the track comes off LOL.

[@TargaWheels]

Didn't even get a notification for this video. KZbin is lacking.

[@SuperSecretSquirell]

I can smell the oil from here. When we crack one open, the entire shop reeks of it.

[@tbas1972]

I check the tracks daily and changed the final drive oil yearly lol

[@jefferp]

New business venture? “Eric O’s Septic Service”? You’ll need a Turd Hearse too.

[@kevinm5177]

So cool!

[@ouarkie]

Did Eric O buy another truck? I saw a video where he had to go to Wilburt’s salvage yard for a Honda CRV connector and it looked like a white hood when he was driving back. Now I saw a white truck when he pulled John out of the shop.

[@agger838]

the beeper would be the first thing id fix

[@chriscrusader5412]

I wonder if you can upgrade those tracks to steel., and maybe put a 25mm cannon on there...

[@georgehofgren6123]

Yes steel tracks can be used. They're a factory option in fact 💁‍♂️

[@K.Kelly87]

Did I see shiny particles coming out of the first one......????😟

[@oneemptymag]

I can smell the used planetary gear oil

[@michaeldowns2389]

I think those are aftermarket tracks that may be made different than the OE as far as a joint and the joint may be just metal tracks.Those tracks look to good to have 2k on them if they supposed to be original

[@michaelmaker8169]

One uga dugas, click 😂

[@jiffy399]

Sounds like it runs like a deer, enjoy

[@rickmarshall808]

diff between a man and a boy, is the size of their toys. :)

[@lexteakmialoki5544]

Eric, did you acquire this for a project in the planning stages already, or just for general "Vanessa it's a good deal" man logic ?

[@rileybaska832]

There is no center joint for a rubber track they are a continuous mold. That manual must have a typo. The center would be the masterlink for a steel track

[@jeffmaclean7700]

Rubber tracks don’t have a center link .the way you did it was fine. To change the track you have to release tension and pry over the idler been a heavy wrench for 42 years