Shop Talk Blog

In the world of compact equipment, even the most seemingly minor component can make or break your machine’s performance. One such part, frequently overlooked but absolutely essential, is the case drain filter. It is a low-profile workhorse hidden in your hydraulic system, and when neglected, it can lead to catastrophic damage to your final drive motor.

At Texas Final Drive, we’ve seen the aftermath of ignored or clogged case drain filters: cracked housings, shredded rotator groups, and thousands of dollars in repairs. Here’s what every equipment owner and operator needs to know about this vital component.

Here are a few Shop Talk blog posts you might be interested in:

• Identifying the Hydraulic Ports on a Final Drive Motor
• Bobcat Final Drive Failures and Case Drain Filters
• Preventing Case Drain Related Failure on Final Drive Motors

A sudden hydraulic line blowout is more than just an inconvenience—it can shut down your jobsite, delay your project, and cost you in lost time and fluid cleanup. Whether you’re an independent contractor relying on a single machine or a rental business trying to avoid customer complaints, understanding how and why blowouts occur is essential. 

This Shop Talk Blog post will not only help you recognize the risks, but also empower you to spot the warning signs early and take simple steps to prevent disaster before it strikes. Your proactive role in this process is crucial.

Here are a few more blog posts you might find helpful:

• Hydraulic Hoses and Final Drives
• 5 Things to Avoid Doing with Hydraulic Hoses
• Exploring Hydraulic Connectors

Finding a high-quality, cost-effective replacement can be challenging when one of your final drive motors fails. At Texas Final Drive, we get it -- you need to keep your equipment running without breaking the bank, and that’s why our reman final drive motors are the wise choice.

In this post, we’ll cover three reasons why choosing a reman final drive motor from Texas Final Drive is the best decision for your business: no expensive tariffs, made in America, and environmentally friendly.

Here are a few other blog posts you might find interesting:

• Rebuilding a Track Drive
• Maintaining your Excavator Final Drive
• 5 Things You Should Know About Floating Face Seals

Replacing your final drive motor is a high-stakes decision affecting your equipment, schedule, and bottom line. But with the correct information and supplier, you can get the job done right the first time. You can't afford to make the wrong decision when it comes to replacing your travel drives.

Gear oil is easy to overlook—until something goes wrong. A noisy final drive, worn planetary gears, or sudden power loss can all point to a single cause: lubricant failure.

Many don’t realize that gear oils are engineered fluids, not just oil. They’re packed with chemical additives that do far more than reduce friction—they help your equipment run cooler, cleaner, and longer. These additives reduce wear, prevent corrosion, fight sludge, and help the oil survive extreme pressure and temperature. Without them, even top-tier base oil won’t cut it.

This Shop Talk Blog post covers what gear oil additives do, how they work, and why they're essential for protecting your final drive motor gearbox. And whether you operate compact track loaders or full-sized excavators, knowing what’s in your oil helps extend service life and avoid costly repairs.

Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might be interested in:

• 3 Things You Should Know about Gear Oil for Final Drives
• Gear Oil Part 1: How to Troubleshoot Gear Oil Problems with Your Final Drive
• Gear Oil Part 2: How to Check and Change the Gear Oil in a Final Drive Motor

If there’s one thing we know here at Texas Final Drive, it’s how we wish people would maintain their final drive motors. That’s why we’ve come up with this comprehensive guide to final drive motor maintenance. It touches on more than just the final drives, though, because issues such as track tension and even a dirty undercarriage can impact the performance of your final drives and cause premature wear.

Skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, and mini-excavators typically use petroleum-based hydraulic fluids. How much do you know about the hydraulic fluids you work with every day? Let's see if we can share something you don't know yet!

Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might find of interest:

• Terminology for Final Drive Motors, Part 1
• Maintaining Skid Steer Final Drives for Optimal Performance and Reliability​
• Hydraulic Hose Fittings: A Beginner’s Guide

If you use a skid steer, you’ve probably wondered whether wheels or tracks are better for your machine. Each option has its own set of pros and cons. The choice depends on your job, budget, and work environment.

In this Shop Talk Blog, we’ll help to break it down so you can decide what’s best for you.

Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might find interesting:

• World's Largest Skid Steer Loader
• 11 Useful Stats About Skid Steer Loaders
• Tips for Purchasing a Used Skid Steer Loader
  

Many dream of turning their backyard into a farm, where they can grow fruits and vegetables, raise chickens, and even keep goats. Prepping your land is key to success, whether you’re planning to create a chicken coop, a goat pen, or a small orchard. Compact track loaders (CTLs) are the unsung heroes for projects like these. They combine versatility, power, and efficiency to help you transform your property. 

In this Shop Talk Blog post, let’s dive into how these machines can help you build the backyard farm of your dreams.

Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might find of interest:

• Skid Steer Loaders in Agriculture
• Skid Steer Maintenance Challenges in Agriculture
• Hydraulic Motors and the Cotton Industry

Hydraulic cylinder issues, such as leaks, drift, rod damage, and slow operation, can significantly impact equipment performance and longevity. By addressing these common issues proactively, however, you can ensure optimal hydraulic cylinder performance and minimize downtime.

This Shop Talk Blog post talks about the most common hydraulic cylinder issues, what causes them, and how to prevent them.

Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might be interested in:

• The Basics of Hydraulic Cylinders
• Skid Steer Safety and Lift Arm Supports
• Final Drive Leaks