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John Deere 35G Mini Excavator, 500 Hour Service Interval Tasks – Part 2
Written by Luis Montes Updated On March 05, 2026
Previously, we covered replacing the hydraulic oil return filter on a John Deere 35G.
In this article, we’ll explain how to change the engine oil and filter as part of the 500 hour periodic maintenance tasks.
On the Tekamo HD YouTube channel, you can watch Keith, a heavy-duty mechanic expert, service the 35G’s engine.
Table of Contents
Change the Engine Oil Filter
First, place a catch pan underneath the machine, as oil will drip out as soon as you remove the filter.
The John Deere 35G engine bay has enough space to use filter pliers to loosen the oil filter. However, you can also use channellock pliers or a strap wrench.
Turn the filter counterclockwise to loosen it.
Whether you use an OEM or aftermarket filter, double-check that its dimensions match those of the old filter, especially the seals and threads.
One more thing to keep in mind: lubricate the filter’s seal. The OEM filter we used included some lubrication. If there isn't, rub the seal with a bit of oil from the filter housing.
A dry seal could bite and twist as you install the filter, leading to an improper seal.
Reinstall the filter by hand, tightening it as much as you can. Why not use the filter pliers? Our “Why You Should Not Use A Tool To Tighten Up A Spin On Oil Filter” explains the reasons.
Replace the Engine Oil
The John Deere 35G doesn’t have a belly pan.
Get the catch pan from the previous step ready to catch the oil, and pull the plug out from underneath the machine using a 19 mm socket (turn clockwise). Pulling out the dipstick will vent the system and speed up draining.
The order doesn’t matter for this particular task, as long as you have all three things done (drain and refill the engine oil, and replace the filter) before you start the engine.
The space around the oil fill is a bit tight. We used a pump to refill the engine oil. If you don’t have one, 1-liter jugs and a funnel will fit in the engine bay.
The John Deere 35G engine oil capacity, including the filter, is 1.9 gallons of SAE 15w40 oil.
Regardless of how you refill the engine oil, check the dipstick periodically to ensure you don’t overfill the engine.
Although the oil level was at the top mark, we didn’t prime the oil filter. So our next step was to start the machine, let the engine pump oil through the filter to fill it, double-check the dipstick, and top up.
About whether you should prime or not the engine oil filter before installation, our post “1,000 Hour Service Interval Guide for a Komatsu PC200LC Excavator – Part 1” exposes why some people do it, and others don’t, and recommends what should be your call.
Put the dipstick and oil fill cap back in, then start the engine for a few minutes. Shut off the engine, let the oil settle, double-check the dipstick, and top up as needed.
Next Post
The next task we’ll cover is changing the fuel filters on the John Deere 35G mini excavator.