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

TBone · Nov 3, 2018

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 · Nov 3, 2018

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 · Nov 3, 2018

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 · Nov 4, 2018

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 · Nov 4, 2018

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 · Nov 4, 2018

nbking said:
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 · Nov 4, 2018

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 · Nov 4, 2018

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 · Nov 4, 2018

TBone said:
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.