By Jack ( - 24.238.40.80) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

After futtsing around with this all day I give up. What's the secret to removing the lower drain plug on the T20? I can only get a small open end wrench under there but then I can't get enough leverage to turn the plug. Theres got to be any easier solution then removing the engine or transmission. I've been pblasting it all day. I tried a socket with extensions and that looks like it would work leverage wise except that its a square head plug and the sockets don't sit tight enough to move it. What does everybody else do when changing the fluid? This machine sat in someones garage for 25 years and runs good, but I know the fluid was not changed and the level is probably low.
Thanks
Jack

By liflod (Liflod) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I use a 9/16 sqare socket and get to it by using a long extension and going under the engine mount to get to it. I have also spent hours trying to get the plug out.

By mikesmax on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jack you dont have to remove the plug. go to HOME DEPOT and buy a drill pump the pump that can hook to your dril and buy to hose barbs and a querter inch hose about 4 feet of it. remove your top plug and fish down the hose and stick the other end in a bucket and start your drill when you think you have it all out measure the fluid you took out and see if is about a querte GOOD LUCK MIKE FROME THE NORTH JERSEY 6X6 CLUB

By Jack ( - 24.238.40.80) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

The drill pump is a great idea. I checked Home Depot today but the pump they had was set up for a 1/2 tube and they didn't have the right series of adapters to get down to 1/4. i will keep my eye out for one. I will definitely be using that from here on out but this time I want to get the t20 open and dump the fluid out since I have no idea of how much is in there.

I could not find a square socket in any of the stores around me but I did find a universal socket (54 pin that conforms to any shape) and an open end 9/16 wrench adapter for the ratchet. Unfortunately neither one would budge the plug. I have resigned myself to pulling the t20 out. I really hate taking a perfectly good working machine (that I have only played in for 15 minutes) and turning it into a pile of parts but I know its got to be done. If nothing else I can also clean the chains and inside pan at the same time. Thanks for all the great suggestions, I know I will be asking more in the near future as I try to put it back together again.
Jack

PS: Mike where in Jersey is the club located? I'm in the Poconos.

By mikesmax on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jack the club is in WAYNE NJ you are about 1 hour from me when you get your machine back together let me know we can go riding i will call the other members to come out and play email me your email address so i can email you direct if you have anay questions about the trans email me at sixwheelerclub@webtv.net

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jack, There is no reason to pull the tranny to just change the oil. Get a square socket (8 point) from Sears if not available at NAPA or a tool store. Use an 18" breaker bar with a swivel end. It has to be tight or it will vibrate out and ruin your tranny.

Remember that the lower plug is a "fill to" hole.

By canadyjw on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Fred helped me out earlier this year when I was trying to do the same thing. I'll save you a trip to Sears, though. The guy at the Sears store here said that they didn't have any 8 point sockets any more (I thought they had everything!!). NAPA can order it for you but the little NAPA stores (like the one here) probably won't stock it so I would call them first...

Good luck.

John

By Jack ( - 24.238.40.80) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Finally completed the fluid change. Good thing to for as I suspected a pint low and very dirty. Will change again in 10 hours just to clean it out.

For future reference for those that come across this, the 8 point socket and flex head ratchet 18" bar did loosen the drain bolt. 8 point sockets are next to impossible to find. Every auto supply and tool place I spoke to said the same thing, "I've got one at home but we don't sell them anymore". Finally got a local napa part guy to go the extra mile and special order one.

Draining the t20 this way requires you to stand the machine on its end and tipped slightly to one side to completely drain. No small feat for one person. I drove it up a steep hill first to get the majority of the fluid out. Used a 20 oz pickle jar to catch the first bit. It was the biggest size container I could get in there and putting the lid back on allowed me to tip it out without spilling any fluid. The rest was collected by stuffing paper towels underneath as I tipped the machine up. I will be trying the drill pump method next time.

To refill I rigged up a piece of garden hose connected to a funnel. This gave enough flexibility to get around all the obstructions in the way and made filling a fast process. Again I stuffed a bunch a paper towels under the fill to hole since you can't see when the fluid starts to come out. Pink puddles on the towels I can see!

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Now on to chain removal and cleaning.
Jack

By mr. tinker ( - 24.107.153.248) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

i think if you would have went to a plumbing supply you probaly would have found a 8 point socket. the plug you were removing is pipe thread.

By Jack ( - 24.238.40.80) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Dang! Thats a trade I didn't think about although I did try the northern tool and grainger route.
Thanks
Jack

By Argobro (Argobro) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Would a twelve point socket not have worked, guys.