JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Talk about technical issues here. Questions and answers!

Topic author
Bargud
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2019 10:01 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Flag: Czech Republic

JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #1 by Bargud » Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:58 pm

Hello,

I would like to replace gearbox oil on my old 3cx 198X whitecab and I'm not sure which type od oil I should use.

I attached picture od my gearbox. Can Somebody help me identify what type od gearbox it Is and which oil should be there?

I found that older types called syncro shuttle have the torque convertor, the shuttle unit and the 4 speed syncro gearbox, where first two share same oil 10w.
Is this my case?

Thank you!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


essexpete
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:43 am
Real name: essexpete
Has thanked: 849 times
Been thanked: 680 times

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #2 by essexpete » Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:07 pm

That is the Borg Warner type and originally JCB specified a 10w transmission oil that could in theory double as a light engine oil. The advice from the fitter who rebuilt the shuttle in both our old 3C111 and Sanderson was to stick to that rather than ATF Dexron type. I know some on here have used the latter without a problem. The most important points with that shuttle is to not overheat it by pushing to hard or labouring in to high a gear and to not make sudden/aggressive direction changes.
Last edited by essexpete on Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:50 am, edited 1 time in total.


Topic author
Bargud
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2019 10:01 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Flag: Czech Republic

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #3 by Bargud » Sun Jun 14, 2020 6:50 pm

Thank you very much Essexpete!

I will put to syncro shuttle 10W. :)

What confuses me is fact, that there is only one dipstick. I do not see dipstick for 4speed gearbox.

I found on internet picture of complete assembly which correspond with mine.
Could you tell me where can I check and drain gearbox oil, where should be 90w gearbox oil?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


essexpete
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:43 am
Real name: essexpete
Has thanked: 849 times
Been thanked: 680 times

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #4 by essexpete » Mon Jun 15, 2020 8:46 am

Sorry yes the 4 speed synchro is separate. There is (I think) a square head level plug on the side and a drain at the bottom.


essexpete
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:43 am
Real name: essexpete
Has thanked: 849 times
Been thanked: 680 times

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #5 by essexpete » Mon Jun 15, 2020 9:01 am

Run a check on one of the oil websites (eg Morris or Q8) you will be able to find the correct oil. It will need to be a gear oil or have gear oil properties suitable for synchromesh. From memory, a GL4 80w90 would do. Not a huge capacity either.
Going back to the shuttle was it mentioned about checking with the engine running at idle or immediately on stopping? Very easy to overfill.


Topic author
Bargud
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2019 10:01 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Flag: Czech Republic

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #6 by Bargud » Thu Jun 18, 2020 1:48 pm

Hello essexpete,

thank you for help! I also heard that shuttle should be checked with engine running.

What interesting is that I found service manual to this type of shuttle :
http://www.gbfoot.co.uk/downloadfolder/BorgWarnerT72shuttleBox.pdf

Here I found information about oil change and there is written this :
Image
What do you think about it? Do you think I can also put there automatic transmission fluid?


essexpete
Posts: 4059
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:43 am
Real name: essexpete
Has thanked: 849 times
Been thanked: 680 times

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #7 by essexpete » Thu Jun 18, 2020 9:42 pm

Yes then I am sure that will be right. I think some of the board members on here have used ATF Dexron type oil. The GB Foot download will have been put there by a most knowledgeable man probably from the era when he dealt with Sanderson telehandlers using the Borg Warner as fitted to JCB equipment in the late 70s and early 80s.
Last edited by essexpete on Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:50 am, edited 1 time in total.


gecko.cx
Posts: 308
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2019 11:44 am
Real name: ian
Has thanked: 125 times
Been thanked: 114 times
Flag: Australia

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #8 by gecko.cx » Fri Jun 19, 2020 3:33 am

ATF will probably be ok, but oils have come a long way since those fluids were released (they no longer contain whale oil for a start).

Type A Suffix A was released in 1958 and Dexron in 1967.

I'm sure there are vastly better oils to use.

Reading up on the history of ATF provides some insight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_transmission_fluid#History
Last edited by gecko.cx on Sun Aug 30, 2020 2:40 am, edited 1 time in total.


topkit
Posts: 806
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:55 pm
Real name: David
Location: KENT
Has thanked: 75 times
Been thanked: 179 times
Flag: Great Britain

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #9 by topkit » Sat Aug 29, 2020 10:46 pm

I had a 1986 3cx with the Borg Warner shuttle and it is most definately 10W oil that you should use in it. The Dextron red oils have additives in them that can cause problems with internals if they are used, i have had a few diggers that i have found to have the red atf dextron in them and i have drained it out straight away and refilled with the recommended 10w and afterwards i have noticed that the direction take up was much better after the change. I think later machines after about 2000 started to use the ATF although a lot of The later Fords and New Hollands use 10W in everything. :thumbup:


GrunterNI
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:07 pm
Real name: David Grant
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 2 times
Flag: Great Britain

Re: JCB 3CX gearbox oil

Post #10 by GrunterNI » Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:23 pm

I've recently bought a 1984 grey cab 3CX with the same gearbox as yours. I got it from a farmer who had been running the SS and TC on red ATF as in his words : "it was cheap and all I could get because it has a bit of a leak".

I've discovered that his "bit of a leak" really means that the torque convertor drains itself over the course of a days work so I now have the pleasure of dropping the gearbox and refurbishing the TC over winter, so another project for my ever expanding list.

I don't have enough experience to know if the leak happened because he was using ATF rather that 10W but I would stick to whatever spec fluids JCB recommend just to be safe.

Good luck


Return to “Tech Talk”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests