I bought some used farm implements, included was a bushhog sq84t 7ft offset bushhog. I was using it yesterday and it was leaking a little fluid out of the vent on the small offset side gearbox. I noticed some fluid on it before I bought it. At some point I guess the vent rattled out of it. I was about 10min from being done so I kept going, keeping an eye on it. Through the hole I could see the fluid circulating in the gearbox, looked pretty much normal to me, it did slosh out now and then. The fluid was milky looking, this did concern me a bit but im not sure if it had water in it or was milky looking from being circulated. I ordered a new vent. Should I change the fluid? Was the initial leaking of fluid a sign of something? The bushhog seems to be working properly.

Fluid is to cheap not to change

I change fluid in EVERYTHING when I get it. May not be necessary but gives me a starting point on service. Also, I've seen some smaller cutters now using "00" grease. I have no idea what it looks like after running awhile. May be what you are seeing?

My main question is about the initial fluid leaking. Is this a sign of a bigger problem?

If it were mine, I would think it's heating and building pressure. Pressure can't be release because the vents closed off. Eventually, something gonna give. Probably the bottom seal. Now, that's a bigger problem. Not terrible but avoidable.

Vents gone. Scratch all that. Shouldn't be a problem except trash and water.

So replace the vent, change fluid and keep an eye on it?

Milky oil is ALWAYS water. Drain and refill. Put a new vent in.

That's what I would do. That doesn't make it right though.

Thanks. Thats my plan

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yep! What the man said above.



God Bless,
David B.

Agreed as well

If the oil had water in it the gear box was most likely overfilled, hence the oil overflowing. Definitely change the oil, and I would flush the gearbox out before refilling.

My normal flushing is drain oil. Put diesel fuel in. Run it on idle for short time. Drain fuel. Blow it out with air. Refill.

This^^^^. I guess it had been sitting in the weather ? Rain may have been leaking in through the loose vent. Bush hogs would last much longer if folks would park them under a shed.

Use picker grease in the gear box instead of gear oil.

Isn't that "00" grease?

The leak wouldn't concern me, as much as moisture inside. If there was a lot of water in there and it's set a long time, the water and oil separated and that's not too good for bearings . Is the leak at a seal? I'd change the lube and run it let here leak , just keep it topped off . Once you are sure everything is good on the inside , repair the leak.

PRO TIP: I add 1/2 a bottle of STP oil treatment to manual gear boxes , manual transmissions, transfer cases and non-limited slip type differentials. I learned it from an old mechanic when I was a teenager . He said that's all the stuff is fit for , said it's not fit for an engine. Bet it would work great in a bush hog gear box.

I have no idea on that designation

I am almost certain that is correct.

I think water getting in a Bush Hog brand gear box must be a common problem. A buddy of mine recently bought a used one and the gear oil was milky so he changed it. He did not store it under cover and after it sat in the rain a few times, the gear oil was milky again. Obviously, the design allows water to get in if it is stored out in the open