Transmission flush

[DW]

If U wuz gonna flush yer transnamission (on an experienced but healthy JD 4010, previously thought to be a 4020, sadly recently since found to be otherwise{former owner lived with it for 18 years thinking it was a 4020......DUH!}), what the heck would you use, or would you just drain the thing, refill w/fresh Hy-Guard, run it for 8-16 hrs, drain and refill again? Wouldja leave it in there for a while 'er not?? Or would you try a short fill and drain w/kerosine...paint thinner.... #2 diesel...or what?? Wild turkey??? Jist lookin' for a good cleanin' here, not resoration in a bottle. I'm just guessin' the wife's laundry detergent or the countertop dish soap is just not the way to go...I always kinda rub the back of my head and the stars go away when I have these kind of questions....my new )used( tractor may very well knot have had a good cleanout for some time, and I am lookin' to give it a fighting chance to live through whatever abuse I am likely to dish out, if ya know what I mean. I do get the filter replacement idea in case your were wunderin'. Suggestions???? Do I really need a/can I effect a... home "power flush"?? Is it time for the lobotomy? Or am I just overdoin' as usual. Thanks for yer support. The iffy 1/2 of DW

[rambler]

On an older simpler tractor I would do the kero or ATF as a quick 10 minute flush.

Your tractor I think tends to lube a lot of very sensitive parts (upper cross shaft sticks out in my mind, $4000 or so repair when the bearings freeze up....) so I would just stick with a flush & toss with real univeral trans hydraulic fluid - the cheap but properly labeled stuff from a farm supply store. I'd have a job for the tractor lined up, & run it warm & good & worked, so it flushes around with the new fluid, and drain it out while hot. Like, wrench in hand as you turn the key off.

I'm not much of a JD person (they made the best planters ever.....) but I think you want to be real careful about not messing up the hyd/ tranny area. I hear of them taking the shaft out just rolling it down a hill without the engine running.....

So as not to be color bashing, 2 years ago I took out the hi/lo bearing on my bigger Ford when a hose tore & the tranny fluid ran out for 3 minutes....... Happens to all brands.

I'd not get too worried aboutflushing it out spick & span. You just want loose particals out, & for sure water.

--->Paul

[Old Vet]

For the most part I would change the filters and then just change the oil. The transmisign and hydrodlic system was not made to realy flush. Most of the time I would only change the filters.

[Beeman]

I know nothing about John Deere tractors. On older Fords there is usually large amounts of gunk that settles to the bottom of the housing. After draining if yo can get in the housing thru an access hole it might be good to scoop out the sludge. Old Fords will actually hold less than the needed amount when draining and refilling because of sludge buildup.
I would go to the antique tractor forum and talk to the JD people, they will know best.

[tamsam]

Word of warning, do not pour cold fluid into a drained hot housing of any kind, auto trans, gear box, or hyd system. The cold fluid will cause any varnish built up to flake off just like pouring cold water into a hot fry pan. Man got to pull in lots of travelers off I85 when I had a shop in NC that had just had the tranny fluid changed at a shop just before leaving home. Most was very happy to pay my tow fee and sit still long enough for it to cool off before changing fluid and filter and most were lucky enough to be on their way in a few hours with no real harm done. Sam