Oil & Fuel SIGHTGLASS FOR HYDRAULIC FLUID ON L2501. CAN YOU SEE YOURS?

[TBone]

I know my eyesight ain't what it used to be but I can still see pretty good. My old M4900 had a dipstick to check the hydraulic fluid and it worked quite well. My new L2501 has a sightglass that is hidden under the operators platform. I tried using a flashlight to check it and I figured out real quick its either overfull or empty. There is no visible line that I can see. It appears to be a lime green color from top to bottom. I'm not sure what color the hydraulic fluid is so that didn't help either. Since it is fairly new I can only assume that it is full and covering the entire sight glass but you know what happens when you *** u me. Does anybody else have difficulty seeing their level of fluid or is it just me?

 

[newbury]

The hydraulic fluid on both my Kubotas is clear and very slightly amber. Darn near impossible to see on the stick. A common solution mentioned here is that JD makes a dye designed for coloring the fluid. I don't know the difference between any other dye or food coloring but the JD solution IS designed for hydraulic fluid,

If I remember correctly it's red, so if you use it warn others so they don't think you dumped brake fluid in it.

 

[Fallon]

My L3200 was the same way (same machine really unsuprisingly). The answer is some dye. The red JD stuff is the only one I found or have seen recommended here on TBN. Makes the fluid look like pink ATF instead of crystal clear. Will wig mechanics out if/when they service the machine. I used half a jar in my L3200 with good results. Went to put the 2nd half in my new L4060 a few years later (similar issues with clear fluid on the dipstick) & it was dried out. Not sure if the lid was loose or it just dries out over time no matter what.

John Deere Lubricants - JOHN DEERE #MT3668 HYDRAULIC OIL DYE is the first search result on Google although you can find it all over or get your local JD dealer to order it.

 

[nbking]

On mine it's halfway, the area above is really white, and where the fluid is it's kinda yellowish. Might help if you look and it's white or yellow maybe to tell under or over filled

 

[gimmodog]

since it's new the oil is still clear looking, give it some time it will darken with use to where you can see it better

 

[mddorange]

On mine it's halfway, the area above is really white, and where the fluid is it's kinda yellowish. Might help if you look and it's white or yellow maybe to tell under or over filled

Mine is the same way. At first I had trouble determining it but it got easier as the fluid darkened.

 

[KennyG]

Just as a check, look at it while the machine is running and you will see what it looks like when low. Dye is the ultimate solution. Add it once and it will color the fluid for a couple of changes.

 

[TBone]

Thanks to all. I would like to use the dye but I'm a little hesitant to since it's under warranty. (47 hours) I can just imagine the mechanic saying "Yep, I found the problem with the hydro. He's using some kind of red fluid". I'll probably wait for it to darken.

 

[Fallon]

Thanks to all. I would like to use the dye but I'm a little hesitant to since it's under warranty. (47 hours) I can just imagine the mechanic saying "Yep, I found the problem with the hydro. He's using some kind of red fluid". I'll probably wait for it to darken.

It won't affect the warranty. According to the Magnuson Moss Warranty act its incumbent on the OEM to prove that something caused a problem if they are denying a warranty claim, not just say they are denying something due to non-OEM parts or service items.

 

[auroraproject]

I had it in my L2501's system and it didn't affect the warranty coverage. One jar of that stuff made the hydraulic fluid VERY red. Like kool-aid red.

 

[TBone]

I had it in my L2501's system and it didn't affect the warranty coverage. One jar of that stuff made the hydraulic fluid VERY red. Like kool-aid red.

Where did you get yours? John Deere??

 

[BleedingOrange]

I just added the John Deere dye to my new changed out SUDT-2 hydraulic fluid. The instructions on the bottle says the contents are good for up to 5 gallons. I would bet that the amount would be great for up to 25 gallons. And be careful when pouring it in, cause if you get it on your hands, it is very difficult to remove.
Great value, for the money.

 

[wagne223]

I can see mine, it got easier after 100 hrs.
As mentioned, the trick is to know what the glass looks like when low.
Look at it running, then turn it off and look again.

 

[auroraproject]

Where did you get yours? John Deere??

local deere dealer. I needed the part number since they had no idea what i was talking about.

 

[nybirdman]

JD#MT3668 is the red hydraulic dye.$12.95 ;works great in a Kubota!Just tell your dealer.

 

[Recoveryhill]

My L3700 is getting long in the tooth and I can't see anything through that glass. My solution is to check for leaks every time I use go to use the machine and at fluid changes add the manufacturers suggested amount of fluid. The only way you're going to use fluid is if. it leaks. Hydro leaks, Oil leaks Fuel leaks and or Coolant leaks are the death of a machine.

 

[k0ua]

Another thing you can do to determine if it is totally full or Not showing at all is raise the 3point, raise the loader all the way up and dump the bucket.. This should use the maximum amount of fluid out of the sump and into all of the cylinders. This should lower the fluid level enough so that you can see the fluid line. That at parking the tractor on a slight slope to the right side of the tractor as the sight glass is on the left side. .