You MUST Do This When Checking Your X700 Series Hydraulic Fluid!!! (If You Have A Rear PTO)

I always open the PTO vent when checking, but one time I tried without it and found this!
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[@bobjohnson4025]

Hey Josh, thanks for showing how to check the fluid level on a x700 series transaxle with the optional pto.
I always check the dip stick monthly...level is always right in the middle of the hash marks with the dip stick dropped down to the top of the threads.
So then I did remove the pto vent plug and rechecked level.
Yep fluid level dropped about 3/4".
I had to add about a 1/2 quart.
Ran the X758 tractor plus shifting the three position pto.
Let it cool for an hour. Checked the level with out removing the pto vent plug. Yes 1" above the full.
Removed the vent plug set the DS back down to top of thteads , pulled it out....level dead right in the middle of the hash marks where it should be.
So yes you always have to remove the pto vent plug if you have the pto to accurately check the transaxle lo-vis fluid level.
Thanks for your excellent informative video!

[@philliphall5198]

Thank you for information and advice
This makes a lot of sense and could save the rear end

[@TimberXX]

Josh, I owe you big! I had a pto installed at the dealer, and they didn't do this correctly, the oil was wrong. Buy sheer luck, I didn't run my pto all winter because of the lack of snow in nj. Thank you!

[@JoshsGreenGarage]

Glad you caught it!

[@bobjohnson4025]

There should be a warning decal by the filler stick warning to open the pto vent to fill transaxle properly.

[@JoshsGreenGarage]

Yeah that would actually be good… the PTO manual is the only place it mentions it (for filling, doesn’t mention checking as I recall)

[@bobjohnson4025]

I have both the technical service book, owners manual and the pto install booklet.
There is definately a lack or proper instructions to top off a pto optioned x 700 series awd trans axle.
I doubt very few ever remove that pto case vent plug just to check the transaxle fluid properly.

[@bobjohnson4025]

That pto plug is also not easily seen.

[@JoshsGreenGarage]

Yeah, I might look into reporting it to Deere, maybe get them to update their literature, and not sure if they have TSBs, but maybe something like that, possibly a decal and maybe orange PTO vent cap… who knows…

[@vernnelson3212]

Great Info!

[@chadweddle702]

Thank you. I was wondering why it was a little high.

[@JoshsGreenGarage]

You have this same issue?

[@JonStratford1234]

Excellent video. I think my x585 is low on fluid right now, because I have topped it up to the marks on the dipstick, but I haven’t opened that vent. Need to go do that, and hopefully get all the air bled out. Thanks for doing these videos

[@JonStratford1234]

Yep, I opened the vent and needed to top up the fluid again. Thanks again.

[@JoshsGreenGarage]

wait are you continually adding fluid? You don't want to over fill it. Also I'm to the point where I think there is just something wrong with my tractor. nobody else seems to have PTO problems, just me...

[@JonStratford1234]

@@JoshsGreenGarage no, just the one time after i watched your video. I haven’t checked it since that day. I’ll have to check it next time I get it out to work. Something I need to ask Waldo about is the gap between the top and bottom of the grapple. Does your grapple fully close? I probably have a 3” gap-it doesn’t fully close. I’m not sure if I have a bad cylinder or what’s going on. What are you seeing that makes you think you’re having an issue?

[@JoshsGreenGarage]

Funny you ask that. When I first got mine, I feel like I remember it fully closing… but now it doesn’t… I have a gap in the jaws as well. The cylinder seems to move the full range of motion, so maybe I bent some jaws? Idk…

[@stephaniecalvo2638]

Cab you send a pic of that valve you turned to release the air..?

[@JoshsGreenGarage]

Wasn’t a valve, it was the PTO “vent”

[@philliphall5198]

How much does the manufacturer say it holds ??

[@JoshsGreenGarage]

The trans or the PTO? Trans varies depending on 2 or 4 wheel steer. As for the manufacture for the PTO, there is no spec. It took about 1/2 quart If I remember correctly. Best advise is to fill per the transaxle spec, and then carefully add more until it is the right level.