John Deere 3 Series Transmission Fluid Change Fail

John Deere 3 Series Transmission Fluid Change turned into a messy fail. Learn what not to do when changing your transmission fluid so you don't make a mess. Please check out my book, "Mind Kill, Rise of The Marauder" at Amazon and Kindle. Stay healthy please.

[@juliebradley8437]

You are my hero! I have learned so much from watching your videos. I have the same tractor and snow blower as you.. I only use it for snow removal and have a box blade to fix the road to my cabin. We get about 7 feet of snow up here and this tractor does a great job for me. My neighbor has a John Deere twice as big as me but I like the turning radius of this tractor. Thank you again for putting your videos online. You really helped this old lady new to snow removal and maintaining my tractor! Julie

[@maraudermitchelli]

July you made my night as helping others is a big reason why I post these videos. You have a great tractor if you take care of it the tractor will take care of you. Be safe and enjoy your great machine...many thanks for your supportive comment be safe.

[@wspad2136]

Thanks Pete, I just replaced my trans fluid and suction filter. Your tips saved me from a big mess.

[@maraudermitchelli]

I'm so glad my mess saved you from having one yourself...just awesome. Good luck with your tractor great machine.

[@brantzroszel9540]

I took my 3039R to the dealer before seeing your video. Maybe next time I'll do it myself (age permitting). Good video, thanks.

[@maraudermitchelli]

You can do a better job than I have the buckets ready 🙂

[@fortcesta5128]

Thanks for being real! You are more patient than me. I would have cursed up a storm as I was making a mess!

[@maraudermitchelli]

Thanks Fort...actually I was laughing as I should've known better. Believe I've cursed in the garage many times. Thank you for supporting my channel.

[@trevingreif8365]

Been watching for years love your videos, keep up the great work

[@maraudermitchelli]

Thank Trevin I’m honored to have you watch stay healthy 🙂

[@njm1554]

Great videos! I changed the transmission fluid and front differential fluid last evening on my 3046R. I learned from your video and was prepared with a large mixing tub purchased from Home Depot that worked great for the transmission and a smaller rubbermaid box for the front differential. Tractor Supply sells a metal funnel with a long metal flexible spout which also works great. The only change that I made was to remove the lowest drain plug from the transmission pan which requires a hex socket. It is the lowest point in the pan and also has a magnet in it. Hard to see but it is there.

[@maraudermitchelli]

Awesome advice especially the drain plug...i did not think it showed in the manual. I have to look again. I'm glad i helped good job for you. I always hope my mistakes will help others.

[@njm1554]

@@maraudermitchelli It wasn't in the manual (and probably should have been). I just happened to see it. It is the lowest part of the transmission pan and I did find a few round pieces of metal on the magnet (probably from manufacturing). The transmission fluid drains straight down which makes it a bit easier as well. It is funny how we have similar equipment.... I also have a Ferris zero turn (IS 3200z) which works great.

[@kenfecteau9872]

New to the channel. Thanks for the in depth information.

[@maraudermitchelli]

Ken welcome to the channel...many have learned from my mistakes in this video and I love that. Thank you for subscribing.

[@tractortyme]

I did my 1st 50h service some time back (80h now) and it wasn't too bad when I replaced 9.5 gallons of hydraulic fluid on the HST and engine/filter/ front axel gear oil replacement.

[@maraudermitchelli]

You’re a better mechanic than I I’m glad for you 🙂 I watched my video and laughed what a wreck.

[@deanmoore3776]

Hi Peter great job for your first time doing it I love watching your videos my tractor I don’t have many hours on it yet probably by next year at this time I can do the transmission service on it but Awesome video

[@maraudermitchelli]

Thanks Dean now I laugh I guess I did then 🙂

[@deanmoore3776]

@@maraudermitchelli 😊👍

[@clowncsc]

Doing mine now and just broke my one filter strap wrench that fit. Headed to my favorite store harbor freight 45 minutes down the mountain to buy two. 😅

[@maraudermitchelli]

Good luck, an old belt may work twisting a wrench

[@royjones59344]

I hate to laugh at your mess but I can't help myself😂😂

[@maraudermitchelli]

It’s okay I was laughing...what a mess. I’m so glad you laughed that’s wonderful 🙂

[@gregforster5913]

Greg from northern Michigan. Nice work Pete. You are not afraid to take on any task. The service interval for the transmission hydraulic filter is 400 hours. How many hours does your tractor have now ? I use a large 10 gallon plastic tote to catch my used oil in, to prevent any oil spillage or splash. Where do you recycle your used oil ? I put the used oil back into the original jugs it came in and mark it 'used' with a Sharpie pen. I recycle my used oil at Advance Auto Supply Store located nearby.

[@maraudermitchelli]

The service department at my dealer kept telling me change it at 120 hours so I did. I put the oil in the new jugs like you and took it to my shop where a service picks it up. Next service will be along time like you stated 🙂

[@MyDeere3320]

I am doing mine now and I drain 7 quarts out at a time to avoid the spill. My concern is the drain plug. Not sure what type of thread sealant to use but I decoded on PTFE thread tape. Hopefully it won't burn when the transmission is hot.

[@maraudermitchelli]

I didn't use any thread tape and mine did not leak...but I agree it's good to use it. I'm glad you learned from my mistakes...what a mess.

[@iamdrako]

@Marauder Mitchelli I'm glad I watched this before I change my oil. I will try to upload a video of it. Won't look as nice as yours, but I'm sure it will do. I went to the dealer to get the oil, they claimed I only need 6 gallons. I'll be ordering another two gallons and get that shipped to me before I go ahead and change. I'll see if I can find a plastic drum to use to catch the oil. 6 Gallons is a lot. I'm happy to see I'm not the only one who has dropped oil on my barn/garage. When it's cold out, do you find that the front loader runs out of fluid when fully raised/extended? Mine seems like it does, when I check the oil/hydraulic fluid, it says full. I'm just curious.

[@maraudermitchelli]

My loader has never run out of fluid...and it's been used hard. A viewer suggest leaving the fill cap in the tranny fill and it will slowdown the draining of the fluid so it doesn't cascade out so far, I thought that was a good suggest. Send my a comment when you upload your video. Fluid change in peace.

[@iamdrako]

@@maraudermitchelli it got cold so I didn't take a video. But I did take some pictures. I used an old plastic box I had gotten to move. It worked nearly perfect. I drove the rear end up on some 2x4's so I could fit it under. It just fit. Didn't spill any oil until I transferred the used oil back into the original containers. I'm glad I watched your video. You saved me a lot of hassle. I tried leaving the stick in, it just started to glop and splash, do I pulled it out. I used the drain plug on the bottom. My 3/8 extension fit perfectly. The biggest problem I had was removing the filter cap. I broke my oil wrench. I ended up using a tie down strap and a pipe with a force compared to Thor. I can't imagine why someone would put it on that tight. Thought I was going to break the housing. I too have the mower deck framing. I found that if you purposely break one of the tabs at the top, the filter goes in significantly easier. Again, thanks for the video. I might make a talking head one to talk about some of the finer details to make the job easier. I also used 7 gallons. I was worried until I was filling the original cans and bucket back up. I had taken out just under 7 gallons. I wouldn't use a bulk oil bucket again either. It took forever to fill. The oil was a bit thick because of the cold. It gets kinda heavy holding in an awkward way while it slowly pours down the funnel.

[@freecycling6687]

This is the best video on YT for the Series 3 transmission oil / fluid change. The diagrams in the manual are only good if you already know where everything is located! My 3039R is coming up on 100 hrs and I've been debating whether I should change the fluid and filters. The manual says every 400 hours, but I know there's a train of thought that says it's a good idea to do the first change sooner. I'm curious if your dealer give you any specific reasons for the change at 100?

[@maraudermitchelli]

I believe I changed at 100 hrs and my dealer recommended that. This is not hard learn from my mistakes have a large bucket and a very large filter wrench…a belt twisted with a wrench may work. I love when I can help viewers you made my night thank you be safe.

[@jeanbrandt2624]

Reason for 100 hrs at first is that there might be some shavings or what not left from manufacturing.

[@whommee]

Good honest video, thanks for posting. How many hours until the next scheduled Hydo oil change?

[@maraudermitchelli]

I think it’s hundreds of hours one viewer stated 400hrs I have to look 🙂

[@iamdrako]

My manual for my 3046r says 400 hrs. Dealer told me they changed it originally at 120 hrs. (I bought mine used) I had thought that was just for the first change. Now I'm wondering if people are changing 120 hrs every time. Mine is too old for warranty, so that isn't a concern for me. Longevity of the tractor however is. I work mine pretty hard. Especially the loader. I'll have to look into this some more.

[@kenfecteau9872]

Sometime messes happen. It's about keeping it real.

[@maraudermitchelli]

That's what I strive for.

[@korndogg714]

Is the hydraulic and transmission oil all the same and is the filter for the hydraulic and the transmission the same filter on the bottom?

[@maraudermitchelli]

Yes it is the same, typically I believe for most hydrostatic tractors. Good questions happy easter.

[@jeanbrandt2624]

My son has a 9100 4 wheel drive and it takes 35 gallons!

[@maraudermitchelli]

Jean the 9100 is a beast...love that tractor, it's at the top of the food chain. I wish your son the best of luck with his tractor and thank you for commenting. Be safe.

[@briangandrews]

Thanks for the video! I have a 3046R but it only has 23 hours on it….so I haven’t done a change on it yet. But, I do have a question. The manual on mine was not very clear, but seemed to indicate the use of Low Vis Oil. It wasn’t very clear….so I wasn’t positive. But, the dipstick definitely says Low Vis. I only brought it up because I saw you used standard Hy-Gard.

[@maraudermitchelli]

I used John Deere oil recommended and purchased from my dealer. I always recommend purchasing oil from your dealer so there’s a record of your maintenance. It may cost more but it’s a good quality and insurance. The oil is what the experts and JD wanted used. I have to look at the jug to see if it’s low vis oil. I hope this helps. Be safe

[@lisacantwell7095]

Keep fill plug in and control your oil flow with the dipstick.

[@maraudermitchelli]

Great suggestion thank you

[@LakeJoe]

HI Peter, thanks for the Sunday morning laugh, gotta love equipment that fights back! Unrelated question, do you have a recommendation for an iphone holder that mounts either to the glass via a suction cup or bolts in the frame of my 3046R. I see a few online but I am hoping to benefit from the wisdom of your experience, thanks....Ken

[@maraudermitchelli]

Ken I don't. But from memory I thought there were casting on the inside cab pillars I often wondered why. On a recent JD 4075 video they mentioned they may be for mounting screens...like large farm tractors. You may to see if your tractor has those threaded areas you could bolt a mount to. I'm looking for a phone mount for my Honda Talon...nothing yet but I'm sure they are out there.

[@LakeJoe]

@@maraudermitchelli thanks, so difficult for me to buy certain things online because more often than not, what arrives isn’t exactly as depicted in the photos. And thanks for the reply on simple green, I have it in my garage but I’m always hesitant to try something before I ask, for fear of the green colour turning to “pink”, like when I did my laundry in college 🧦

[@maraudermitchelli]

@@LakeJoe too funny joe. Simple green is pretty safe I even use it on carpet in my house. Thanks for making me laugh

[@tractorbob58]

Always enjoy the videos and I subscribe

[@maraudermitchelli]

Thank you....big thank you

[@rcote1234]

Helpful Sir. Thanks. 3720 owner.

[@maraudermitchelli]

Rob you are welcome, learn from my mistakes. Thank you for supporting my channel.

[@KevinRiceSLO]

STUCK CAP! I simply CANNOT remove the cap. I destroyed a strap wrench with a breaker bar. The nylon strap tore. I think it might be painted on, or it's just super tight from the factory. Argh! I'm going to look for a steel strap wrench or chain wrench. I've tapped on it with a mallet and still no-go. 🤬

[@davidweidman876]

i have a 3039r thinking it will be similar

[@maraudermitchelli]

I agree it should be. You have a great tractor be safe 😊

[@Cruising200]

Good job! Next time keep the fill plug in and the fluid will come out slower so you can swap pans.

[@maraudermitchelli]

Smart very smart thank you. A simple solution just awesome i will do that. Stay healthy

[@clowncsc]

awesome video, but my version would have been loaded with some very vulgar cusswords. LOL In all seriousness id much rather watch a real deal video than someone scripted and editing.

[@maraudermitchelli]

That was edited out...for sure. Thank you