John Deere 310SL maintenance schedule: backhoe service intervals
Updated · Reviewed by Israel Margulies, founder and CEO of High Point GPS
Per John Deere's service interval chart for the 310SL (PIN F390996 and later), grease the loader and backhoe pivots daily, change the engine oil and fuel filters every 500 hours (250 in severe conditions), the transmission oil and filter and the hydraulic filter every 1,000 hours, the hydraulic oil and axle oils every 2,000 hours, and the coolant every 6,000 hours.
Servicing the 310SL backhoe: grease, axles and severe-duty oil
The John Deere 310SL is one of the most common backhoe loaders on US jobsites, used by municipalities, utilities and contractors who need a loader and a digger in one machine that can drive between sites. A backhoe has more grease points than almost anything else in the fleet, and Deere's chart puts nearly all of them on the daily list: loader pivots, backhoe boom and crowd cylinders, bucket and swing cylinders, stabilizers, couplers and the front axle.
Above the daily grease, the 310SL chart works in steps. Every 250 hours you check the transmission, rear axle and MFWD axle oil levels and take an engine oil sample. At 500 hours the engine oil, filter and both fuel filters are changed and the boom-to-dipperstick pin bolt torque is checked. At 1,000 the transmission oil and filter, hydraulic filter and breathers are replaced, and at 2,000 the hydraulic oil, rear axle and MFWD oils, the open crankcase ventilation filter and the valve lash.
Deere's guide notes that machines working at or above 6,000 ft, on biodiesel blends above B20 or in difficult conditions should change the engine oil every 250 hours instead of 500. It lists 3.4 gal of Plus-50 II engine oil, 4.0 gal of Hy-Gard transmission oil, 4.8 gal of Hy-Gard per side in the rear axle and planetaries, and 11.8 gal of Hydrau hydraulic oil for the 310SL. The chart also covers the 310L, 310SL HL, 315SL and 410L from PIN F390996.
Typical John Deere 310SL maintenance schedule
- Every 10 hours or daily: Check engine coolant, hydraulic oil and engine oil levels; Lubricate loader pivots and the loader quick coupler (if equipped); Lubricate the backhoe boom, crowd, bucket and swing cylinders and pivots, and the backhoe coupler; Lubricate stabilizer pivots and cylinder pins; Lubricate the front axle oscillation pin and the MFWD steering pivots and U-joints (if equipped)
- As required: Inspect tires and check pressure; check wheel fastener torque; Replace primary and secondary air filter elements; inspect and clean the cooling system; Drain water and sediment from the fuel filters; service the exhaust filter
- Every 250 hours: Check transmission, rear axle and MFWD axle and planetary oil levels; Lubricate the MFWD drive shaft spline (if equipped); Take an engine oil sample
- Every 500 hours: Drain and refill engine oil and replace the filter (every 250 in severe conditions); Replace the primary and final fuel filter elements; drain the fuel tank; Check the boom-to-dipperstick pin bolt torque and the air intake hose; Take hydraulic, transmission, axle, coolant and fuel samples
- Every 1,000 hours: Drain and refill transmission oil and replace its filter; Replace the hydraulic oil filter, hydraulic tank breather and fuel tank breather; Inspect the accessory drive belt and tensioner; check coolant condition
- Every 2,000 hours: Drain and refill the hydraulic system oil; clean the hydraulic tank fill screen; Drain and refill rear axle and planetary oil and MFWD axle oils; Replace the open crankcase ventilation filter and the DEF dosing unit filter; Check and adjust engine valve lash
- Every 4,000 and 6,000 hours: 4,000 hours: replace the DEF tank breather filter and header suction baffle, clean the DEF tank; 6,000 hours: drain and refill the cooling system, replace the in-line DEF filter
John Deere 310SL daily inspection checklist
- Walk around for leaks and damage
- Engine oil, coolant and hydraulic oil levels
- Loader pivots and quick coupler greased
- Backhoe boom, crowd, bucket and swing pivots greased
- Stabilizer pivots and cylinder pins greased
- Front axle oscillation pin greased
- Bucket teeth, cutting edges and coupler pins
- Tires and wheel fasteners
- Stabilizer pads and cylinders
- Brakes and parking brake
- Lights, horn, beacon and back-up alarm
- Seat belt, steps and handholds
What fails on John Deere 310SL backhoes, and how to prevent it
- Backhoe and loader pins: Slop in the boom, dipperstick or bucket linkage. Grease every point on Deere's 10-hour list and check the boom-to-dipperstick pin bolt torque every 500 hours
- Swing cylinders and pivots: Play or knocking when swinging the backhoe. Grease daily and inspect for wear at each service
- Transmission: Slipping, slow shifts, hot oil. Check the level every 250 hours and change oil and filter every 1,000
- Rear axle and MFWD: Leaks at the hubs or noise in turns. Check levels every 250 hours and change the oils every 2,000
- Engine oil in severe duty: Oil sample results out of range. Use the 250-hour interval at high altitude, on biodiesel above B20 or in difficult conditions
Tracking John Deere 310SL backhoes in FleetZap
Set up 310SL services as hour-based PM schedules (50, 250, 500, 1,000 hours and up) and FleetZap opens the work order automatically when the hour meter gets there, with the task list from the chart attached.
Put a QR label in the cab for the daily check. Turn Deere's long 10-hour grease list into check items so none of the points get skipped. A failed item opens a repair work order for that machine.
Hours come in from meter readings in the field app or from an optional GPS tracker, and the filters and oil you use go on the work order as parts, so each machine keeps its own service and parts history.
Sources
FleetZap Maintenance Essentials
Work orders, PM, inspections and the field app. Explore FleetZap Maintenance Essentials.
Frequently asked questions
How often do you change the oil on a John Deere 310SL?
Every 500 hours per Deere's chart, or every 250 hours at or above 6,000 ft, with biodiesel above B20 or in difficult conditions. Deere's guide lists 3.4 gal (13.0 L) of Plus-50 II engine oil.
What are the John Deere 310SL service intervals?
Daily (10-hour) grease and level checks, then 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 and 6,000-hour services, plus as-required items such as air filters and tires.
How often should the hydraulic oil be changed on a John Deere 310SL?
Every 2,000 hours, with the hydraulic oil filter replaced every 1,000. Deere's guide lists 11.8 gal (44.6 L) of Hydrau hydraulic oil for the 310SL.
How often is the transmission oil changed on a John Deere 310SL?
Every 1,000 hours with the filter, after a level check every 250 hours. Deere's guide lists 4.0 gal (15.1 L) of Hy-Gard transmission oil.
What needs to be greased daily on a John Deere 310SL?
Deere's 10-hour list covers the loader pivots and coupler, backhoe boom, crowd, bucket and swing cylinders and pivots, backhoe coupler, stabilizer pivots and cylinder pins, the front axle oscillation pin and, if equipped, the MFWD steering pivots and U-joints.