JCB 3cx

[Vladamirs]

Hi all, I've just bought a 1980 JCB 3cx and for the life of me can't find where to top up the hydraulic oil. I was wondering if anyone one might know where it is. Thanks

 

[Goweresque]

If its the same as the later 80s 3CXs it'll be at the front of the engine, by the side of the radiator, on left hand side, ie the side we're looking at in the picture.

 

[agrimax]

It's not. It's on the other side. Above the right hand front wheel, front of the bonnet. Should have a flat hinged cover over it and then the cap that doubles as a breather.

 

[Vladamirs]

Thanks for both replies, agrimax it was where you said....cheers

 

[Vladamirs]

One last question, is the hydraulic tank acts like a reservoir and keep near full or is there a dip stick which I haven't seen. Thanks

 

[Goweresque]

One last question, is the hydraulic tank acts like a reservoir and keep near full or is there a dip stick which I haven't seen. Thanks

Don't fill it nearly to the top when cold, I did that once, the oil expanded as it warmed up and I had it oozing out of the filler cap. Should be a sight gauge somewhere if no dipstick.

 

[agrimax]

There is a clear verticle tube on the engine side of the tank. It likely won't be transparent enough to see through by now though. Can't remember which side it's on as mine isn't clear enough to use..... If you keep the tank about 3/4s full, you'll be fine. You can see enough through the filler hole. If you over fill, the oil will be forced out through the filler/breather cap,especially when dropping the loader quickly.

(Wrote this back at lunchtime and forgot to post it!!)

 

[Vladamirs]

Thanks for the advice. Cheers

 

[Gregapwilliams]

Any idea how to drain and fill gear box oil on JCB 3cx1982. Thanks

 

[agrimax]

On the left hand side of the gearbox,there are two square headed plugs. Can't miss them. Drain from the lower one and refill through the top one til the oil runs out of it. Use 15w40 engine oil.
If you're also doing the same with the shuttle reverser which has seperate oil from the gearbox,the drain plug is on the bottom side of the square sump in front of the gearbox,or take the sump off and wash the filter that's in there.You won't quite get it all out as the older 3CX torque converter didn't have a drain plug on the side of it like the later ones. Refill through the dipstick tube,give the oil time to run off the sides of the tube and dip with the engine running or immediately after stopping it. 10W oil is the proper recommendation but ATF is perfectly fine as well.

 

[oilcan]

On the left hand side of the gearbox,there are two square headed plugs. Can't miss them. Drain from the lower one and refill through the top one til the oil runs out of it. Use 15w40 engine oil.
If you're also doing the same with the shuttle reverser which has seperate oil from the gearbox,the drain plug is on the bottom side of the square sump in front of the gearbox,or take the sump off and wash the filter that's in there.You won't quite get it all out as the older 3CX torque converter didn't have a drain plug on the side of it like the later ones. Refill through the dipstick tube,give the oil time to run off the sides of the tube and dip with the engine running or immediately after stopping it. 10W oil is the proper recommendation but ATF is perfectly fine as well.

I think you need a simple old spec atf,the newer ones contain friction modifiers and the slippage is drastically increased.I found genuine JCB oil was cheaper and transformed the pushing power to the extent I could stall the engine on my non turbo 1990 one.

 

[NB-Eddy]

On the left hand side of the gearbox,there are two square headed plugs. Can't miss them. Drain from the lower one and refill through the top one til the oil runs out of it. Use 15w40 engine oil.
If you're also doing the same with the shuttle reverser which has seperate oil from the gearbox,the drain plug is on the bottom side of the square sump in front of the gearbox,or take the sump off and wash the filter that's in there.You won't quite get it all out as the older 3CX torque converter didn't have a drain plug on the side of it like the later ones. Refill through the dipstick tube,give the oil time to run off the sides of the tube and dip with the engine running or immediately after stopping it. 10W oil is the proper recommendation but ATF is perfectly fine as well.

I have just drained the shuttle reverser, then started to re-fill with oil through the dip stick tube as you describe. The manual says it will take 11l but after just 4.5l the oil started to backup and overflow the dip stick tube. Does anyone know if there are multiple cavities so that you never drain out all the oil or if I need to start the engine to fill it further? Thanks.

 

[agrimax]

There's the oil cooler in front of the radiator,the hoses to and from it to the shuttle box,the torque converter and the shuttle box itself.Removing the sump bung should allow the cooler,hoses,the box and just over half of the TC to empty. I'd start the engine so that the pump will fill the system and force the air out...