500 Hour Service Interval Guide for a John Deere 650K Dozer – Part 5

Written by Luis Montes Updated On  April 9, 2025

Previously, we changed the air conditioner and the cab recirculation air filters.

In this post, we’ll cover how to check and change the final drive oil on the John Deere 650K.

A video version of this task is available on the Tekamo HD YouTube channel. Check it out.

Leverage Tekamo HD’s extensive network of experienced heavy-duty mechanics and advanced fleet management solutions to improve your heavy equipment maintenance, even in rural and remote areas.

Check/Change the Oil

The John Deere 650K final drive plugs are on the inner side of the undercarriage, opposite to other types of equipment.

Start by parking the machine on a level surface. Drive the dozer until the drain plugs are at the bottom (6:00 o’clock position).

Before draining the oil, remove the fill plug to release the buildup pressure. If you are working in a muddy place, as we did, clean the plugs before pulling them out to prevent mud from entering the inner system.

The plug has a square hole. You’ll need a ratchet or a break bar with an extension long enough to get away from the frame.

Why would you wear out your ratchet prematurely when Fortis HD has top-tier breaker bars to loosen stuck bolts and nuts? Check out our breaker bars and extensions from high-quality tool manufacturers Mueller Kueps and Ko-ken.

To check the oil level, put a finger inside the fill plug and feel if the level is near the bottom of the filler hole—0.5 in (13 mm), according to the owner’s manual.

If you must change the oil, remove the drain plug, let the oil drain completely, reinsert the bottom plug, and refill from the fill plug until oil starts to come out from the fill hole. Before reinstalling the plugs, clean them thoroughly to avoid contamination inside the final drive.

Since the plugs are under a lot of vibration during operation, ensure they are snugly tightened so they can’t come off.

Next Post

In the next and final post, we’ll cover how to change the hydraulic oil filters on the John Deere 650K dozer.