Spearhead gearbox query

[Pluto]

Evening folks,
Have recently acquired a Spearhead Trima 500 from my neighbour who sadly passed away a few weeks ago.
The query I have is that when I went to check the gearbox oil level, it doesn’t appear to bear any relation to the one in the instruction manual. The manual doesn’t say anything about checking the level, it just says put in 380cc and drain once a year.
Well, I took the plastic level plug out and couldn’t find any trace of oil, put in approximately 380cc of oil and still can’t find any trace of oil, even after sticking a piece of wire inside the hole.
I’m wondering now if it’s packed with grease.
It’s got a BIMA gearbox if that helps.
P.S. The bottom of the gearbox is so close to the metal frame that it appears to be impossible to remove any drain plug.

 

[agrimax]

What's a Trima 500? Do you mean Twiga? And you're sure the plug you took out isn't the fill plug and the level plug is further down and/or on another side of the box? Should be EP90 gear oil in it...
My old Excel 550 had a clear plastic level indicator plug and was filled through the breather plug on the top of the box...Maybe yours is different though...

 

[Dave W]

Evening folks,
Have recently acquired a Spearhead Trima 500 from my neighbour who sadly passed away a few weeks ago.
The query I have is that when I went to check the gearbox oil level, it doesn’t appear to bear any relation to the one in the instruction manual. The manual doesn’t say anything about checking the level, it just says put in 380cc and drain once a year.
Well, I took the plastic level plug out and couldn’t find any trace of oil, put in approximately 380cc of oil and still can’t find any trace of oil, even after sticking a piece of wire inside the hole.
I’m wondering now if it’s packed with grease.
It’s got a BIMA gearbox if that helps.
P.S. The bottom of the gearbox is so close to the metal frame that it appears to be impossible to remove any drain plug.

The level on that should be roughly 1/3 up from the bottom.

 

[Pluto]

Sorry, I meant Twiga!
Dave W, how do you know if the level is 1/3 up from the bottom? The only plug I can find is approximately 3/4 of the way up.

 

[Dave W]

Sorry, I meant Twiga!
Dave W, how do you know if the level is 1/3 up from the bottom? The only plug I can find is approximately 3/4 of the way up.

Most simple 540 ish gearboxes run about a 1/3 full of oil.
Those gearboxes are designed to be mounted any of 360 degree orientation so there will be a few plugs on it. Some of which will be defunct depending how it’s mounted

 

[kevindb880]

We’ve just got a new Spearhead topper, I have to say the operators manual is a bit rubbish!

 

[Pluto]

Ditto