Can you pump oil from fill plug on hydrostatic trans?

[man00]

I would like to get all the old oil I can and add fresh back. Kubota said I could drop the pan using extreme caution and do it that way. I thought using one of thse hand pumps may work...or not
thanks

[KE4AVB]

Unless there is a drain plug then that dropping the pan is about the only way. Too much inference internally to pump oil out. BTW it best to put all fresh oil especially the current oil has been use a long time as it does break down over time from heat and have other contaminates in it too.

[man00]

Its model k1082-11111 I emailed HydroGear they said yes pump it out or dump it through the fill port. But that would require removing it from mower.
Add 20-50w oil, purge it.

[KE4AVB]

Still think it going be a problem getting past the planetary gears to pump all the oil out even on that version. Most these hydros are fairly tight inside. They not designed for oil changes except when being repaired and that is the dump method. Most are considered sealed units.

[bgsengine]

Yup - that's why the factory oil is usually a synthetic (something like $12 - $15 a quart at retail) - it's only intended to last for the expected life of the unit (which generally is "just out of warranty") Cub Cadet oil 737-3120 (Drive System Fluid) comes at around $12/quart MSRP last I knew of.

[man00]

The guy emailed me again from Hydrogear, I thought about dropping the pan but he said bad idea. He sent me the service manual for my trans. But it looks a little different to me.

[KE4AVB]

What is the numbers/letters on your unit?

[man00]

315-2000
Hydrogear sent me service manual for 310-3000

Biggest difference I see concerning the bottom pan where the 11 bolts are my doesn't have the Gerotor Cover mounted on the outside.

[KE4AVB]

315-2000
Hydrogear sent me service manual for 310-3000

Biggest difference I see concerning the bottom pan where the 11 bolts are my doesn't have the Gerotor Cover mounted on the outside.

That's the closest manual they have for the K1082-11111 (315-2000). Are you sure you have a 315-2000? When I lookup the IPL it shows the 11 bolts cover.

Hydro-Gear-Parts-List-315-2000.pdf

[bgsengine]

Biggest question to ask yourself is - *WHY* does the oil need changed out? is it dirty or have grit or anything in it? if so you need to rebuild the transmission anyway (or replace) or is it just for "preventive maintenance"? They are filled with synthetic oil from the factory and unless you get the oil contaminated somehow, should never need to be serviced - especially if there is no filler plug or other means to check and add oil... which renders the whole exercise pointless - they were not designed or built to be maintained in the first place - same as with some of the new briggs lawnmower engines - they are built to never need an oil change (just check and add) basically things are getting to where you just run them until they quit and then swap them out with new units.