300 Utility PS Gear Oil Question

AJB-830 · Mar 10, 2014

I found out on this forum that the 300 Utility has a hidden oil plug that no one ever checks. It's behind the battery. Today I decided to find that plug and check the oil. I found about 2 1/2 inches of oil with about 2 1/2 inches to the plug. It looked like light oil, not the red Hy-Tran fluid. Probably the original oil IH put in in 1955. Does anybody know what oil should go in it and how full should it be to plug. My 300 was bought used in 1966 has 3800 hrs on it and so far the PS has worked great. Thanks. Al

Janicholson · Mar 10, 2014

If you check it I think you will find it to be 80-90 gear oil. There are three primary places it escapes: the two shaft seals for the steering arms, and a welch plug on the bottom that rusts out. I can't be sure what is in the box, use a straw and smell it if it smells like sulfur it is gear oil (I ask so you put more of the same in it)
Others might have a manual to see what was specified originally. Jim

Rumplestiltskin · Mar 10, 2014

According to the operator's manual:

- SAE-80 oil, capacity 1.25 pints.
- Keep lubricant up to the level of the plug on the left side of the steering gear housing.
- Remove plug, add oil, replace plug.

Mark W. in MI

AJB-830 · Mar 10, 2014

Mark, Thanks very much for the information. I thought it looked like 80-90 oil in it. I will add oil up to plug. Must not leak too bad as it still was about 1/2 full of oil after almost 60 years. Thanks again. Al

jeffcat · Mar 11, 2014

I am so glad you checked your tractor!!!! I posted that back a couple of months ago cause no body checks it and as you said "sixty years latter". Most guys say 90wt and that is fine but remember ,most all tractors have gone from heavy weight to Hi-Tran in everything now. Don't Know but I say GOOD for you. Did you find it in any book or just went A LOOKIN? That little puddle of oil when it is not there You rip the crap out of your power steerinpensive repair. Almost the cost of the tractor. Jeffcat YEA!

jeffcat · Mar 11, 2014

PS great picture. You can see why no one can find it! GREAT. Jeffcat

Anonymous-0 · Mar 11, 2014

I thought it was plumbed into the rest of the hydraulic system, and fed from the reservoir under the seat?

Mick

AJB-830 · Mar 11, 2014

Jeff, It was because of your post several months ago that I decided I needed to check this. I actually had to go back to your post as the 1st time I looked for it, I didn't find it. There is nothing in the IT manual in the 300 Utility PS section that mentions it or what oil to use. Since it looks like the original manual calls for 80 wt, that is what I will use to re-fill it. Thanks for posting this, otherwise I still would not be aware of it. Maybe someone else will see this and check their 300 too. Al

AJB-830 · Mar 11, 2014

No, the gear box part of the 300 Utility is somewhat separate from the steering assist section. The PS section and the control unit is plumbed into the hydralic system and gets hy-tran oil from under the seat. The 300/350 utility's PS is totally different than those on the Farmalls. Al

300 Utility PS Gear Oil Question

AJB-830

Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Rumplestiltskin

Member

AJB-830

Member

jeffcat

Well-known Member

jeffcat

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

AJB-830

Member

AJB-830

Member

Similar threads