final drive

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rivercabin53
40C crawler
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final drive

Post by rivercabin53 » Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:25 pm

What is the oil you use in final drive of a 350 dozer? The book said john deere 303 special purpose oil but what is this? Thanks for the help. Larry

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jtrichard
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Post by jtrichard » Tue Dec 16, 2014 12:46 am

303 is Tractor transmission hydraulic fluid ..... And YES that is what JD uses in EVERY thing but the engine
2010 with 622 dozer with mod. 35 ripper and a 2010 with 622 dozer bought in 1969 and a 2010 loader with drott and mod. 36 ripper

cantbeatadeere
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Post by cantbeatadeere » Tue Dec 16, 2014 12:53 am

HYGUARD....approx. 90.00 for five gallons. not the low viscosity.

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Stan Disbrow
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Post by Stan Disbrow » Tue Dec 16, 2014 6:08 am

Hi,

303 oil is available in all the farm stores. It was replaced by HyGard in the JD dealerships. These days, there is the original HyGard and a thinner variant for some of the current machines. You want the original. But the 303 from the farm stores would be fine.

Stan
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NWJD fan
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Final drive lubricant

Post by NWJD fan » Tue Dec 16, 2014 2:26 pm

I have used and believe the service manual allows the use of 80-90 gear oil in final drives and transmission of straight 350 and 350B dry clutch machines. Hydraulic reverser and wet clutch-brakes (350C) requires 303-Hyguard.

rivercabin53
40C crawler
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Location: Hillman , Michigan 49746

final drive

Post by rivercabin53 » Tue Dec 16, 2014 5:34 pm

Thanks everybody got five gallons of 303 today. Larry

82Maple
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Re: final drive

Post by 82Maple » Sun Jul 20, 2025 5:37 pm

Just working on a 350B I recently purchased. The serial number tag is missing but based on the engine tag and other identifying features it appears to be in the 1972 - '75 era.
I downloaded a 350B manual directly from John Deere, and on Page 34, line 22 in their service section, it says to use "John Deere Type 303 Special Purpose Oil or an equivalent."
I understand that 303 has been replaced by Hygard - but I'm wondering if there is a typo or if I've misunderstood something. Any final drives I've previously worked with (not a lot) run 80-90 weight oil.
What am I missing?

Jim B
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Re: final drive

Post by Jim B » Sun Jul 20, 2025 7:24 pm

It is common now to use the new fluids in compartments that used gear oil. Formulation of lubricant have changed greatly over the years. 303 was the start of that conversion with John Deere. Use Hy Gard or a UTHF meeting the John Deere J20C spec. As long as the seals are good you should have no problems.

If you come across any "yellow bucket" oil sold as 303, do not buy or use it. Be sure what you get is labelled as meeting J20C.

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