I just bought an MF 224 square baler. What it is probably doesn't matter for my question though. Baling with it the first time yesterday, my son called to say the gear box was dripping oil. Tightening bolts did not help and part of the gasket/shim was sticking out the side of the gear box.
Today we drained the gear box (really thick, black oil) and then removed the cover. Inside we found tannish sludge and some water. I want to clean this sludge out as well as possible, so I am looking for suggestions on what to use. Is it as easy as just kerosene and a clean rag? Or, should I go to greater lengths? I am also wondering if I should fill it with motor oil, run it a short while, drain and refill with the proper gear oil?
Of course, it is Sunday and I still need to get the proper gaskets/shims. Fortunately, this is baler number 3, so I am not out of action, providing the rain stops. The other two, for those who care, are Gehl 3210s. MF sold the line the Gehl in about 1992 and the Gehls are the same baler. This one is a little older, but got very little use and some abuse. It tied pretty darn well though.
Today we drained the gear box (really thick, black oil) and then removed the cover. Inside we found tannish sludge and some water. I want to clean this sludge out as well as possible, so I am looking for suggestions on what to use. Is it as easy as just kerosene and a clean rag? Or, should I go to greater lengths? I am also wondering if I should fill it with motor oil, run it a short while, drain and refill with the proper gear oil?
Of course, it is Sunday and I still need to get the proper gaskets/shims. Fortunately, this is baler number 3, so I am not out of action, providing the rain stops. The other two, for those who care, are Gehl 3210s. MF sold the line the Gehl in about 1992 and the Gehls are the same baler. This one is a little older, but got very little use and some abuse. It tied pretty darn well though.