SMTC - Where is the oil drain plug?

[Matt@RFR]

'07 VF-2ss. I can't find the SMTC oil drain plug. The drawing in the manual shows it right by the swing arm shaft housing, but I have nothing like that. And ofcourse, taking the sheetmetal off in that area requires something just shy of a complete tear down. I would have to unbolt the back/left enclosure wall just to get to one bolt for the tool change arm cover!

I need to drain the oil for several reasons: I want to see what condition it is in, it's over full (and has never been added to...that can't be good), and the toolchanger is down so I'm investigating that. (I'll start a seperate thread for that)

[Haas__man]

You are looking in the correct place. Unfortunately you will need to remove most of the sheet metal work to get to it. You shouldn't need to remove any machine enclosure panels though. There should be two 'c' shaped panels around the swing arm shaft (4 buttonhead screws and they are off). Remove the top panel from the tool changer. Then the sheet metal closest to the head is held with small nuts on the inside from what I remember. Also there are some hidden away (difficult to explain) - you will need a 5/32 allen key approx 10 inches long. they are inside the tool drum just next to the tool pockets and hold the outside diameter of the tool change cover.
Once those covers are off you should be able to get to where you need.
The oil is then topped up from above - you will need to remove a breather - to do it.
If you need any more help let me know.

[Matt@RFR]

Thanks a lot! You comfirmed what I was worried about. I saw all the fasteners you mentioned, and I think it's worth the effort just to make sure the oil still looks good and that it has the proper amount of oil in it.

[haastec]

For what it is worth, I wouldn't worry to much about the oil. If memory serves correctly they use Mobil SCH 630 full synthetic oil with a red dye. The oil should last a long time. While looking through the sight glass, if the oil level is more than half way up the sight glass (or over in most cases) and looks clean and clear you should be good to go with no worries.

Somebody feel free to correct me on the specific oil call out if that is not correct.

[Matt@RFR]

SHC 630. It's the same oil they sell for 4th axis products as well.