bevel gear oil high and milky

What machine? small track loader?
Later Bob

Oops... It's a 1981 D3B

they are completely different gear boxes separated by a drive shaft. do you have wet steering clutches?

After looking at the parts and service books I figured the two gear boxes were separate but had to ask when one oil level went up and the other went down.

I do not know whether the steering clutches are wet or not. Barring removal of the top cover how can I tell?

jon

wet steering clutches have a 1/4 inch level plug on the outboard side of the clutch casing facing the sprocket

The plugs you refer to... Are they called "final drive fill plugs" in the service manual?
Will look for them tomorrow.

Any recommendation for 30 weight oil for the bevel gear case? I use Traveler from Tractor Supply which is TO-2 10 weight but haven't found a 30 wt in bulk in their catalog.

Thanks,
jon

No---the final drive fill plugs are seperate and bigger than the wet clutch level plugs--If i remember correctly they are above the final drive plugs but face outward
I use 30 wt diesel engine oil in the final drive and the bevel gear compartments

From what info I have wet clutches and brakes didn't appear until 1988 in the 7JF-up models.

As for the oil transfer problem I'd look into leaking steering clutch boosters. They get pressurized oil from the transmission pump and the return is normally back to the transmission sump. Any leakage from the boosters would show up in the steering clutch case.

Haven't been able to pin it down for sure but I'm under the impression those plugs on the upper/outer side of the steering clutch case provide access to test ports for checking the booster system. Is the water contamination only in the rear case? then maybe a local leak. If in the transmission too then check the oil cooler for leaks.

D3 experts please correct me if I'm wrong. Bob/Ont where are you?

Cat sure is proud of their service manuals for these D3's. I see prices of $300 to $500. Going to be a long while before I have one of those.

Pete--my 1987 27Y machine has wet clutches---my service manual never mentioned wet clutches--but BoB told me to look for those fill level plugs and by gosh I had them. You have to remove the rear access panel behind the battery to get to the fill plugs.

Bob had me check pressures on a port on the trans. filter cover to check the readings---I think that pressure system also operates the steering clutch actuators.

also he gave me a different procedure than the manual to adjust the brakes.