Anyone DIY dye their hydro oil?

[WinterDeere]

The hydro oil in my 2019 tractor remains so clear and clean, that I almost can't see it on the heavily-hashed dipstick on my 3033r. I see some run hydro oil (probaby ATF) with red dye in it, and I'm wondering, does anyone put some dye in their own hydro oil to make visibility at least a little better?

 

[RjCorazza]

My tractor has a dipstick, so I don't need to dye mine.
I've read here on TBN that John Deere sells a dye specifically for hydraulic systems.

 

[cmyoung2]

I use the JD dye. It works, turns the oil red. Does not take much. My L3600 has a sight glass, could not see the oil without the dye. Easy, just pour it in. Might mix with some of the oil to pour easier.

 

[anomad]

I use the JD dye. It works, turns the oil red. Does not take much. My L3600 has a sight glass, could not see the oil without the dye. Easy, just pour it in. Might mix with some of the oil to pour easier.

Did you get that local or order it online? I have been wanting to add some to my tractors.

 

[WinterDeere]

My tractor has a dipstick, so I don't need to dye mine.
I've read here on TBN that John Deere sells a dye specifically for hydraulic systems.

Mine has a dipstick, too! But both sides are cross-hatched, there's no smooth side for viewing the "wetted" line. Just about impossible to see the fluid without walking out to daylight with the dipstick in-hand.

 

[Gregster613]

Did you get that local or order it online? I have been wanting to add some to my tractors.

I ordered mine online, but you can find it locally also. I used more than was needed also - just use use a tad bit of it and it works fine.

 

[anomad]

I ordered mine online, but you can find it locally also. I used more than was needed also - just use use a tad bit of it and it works fine.

Thanks!

 

[scootr]

Did you get that local or order it online? I have been wanting to add some to my tractors.

I got it online from a tractor store. It was silly expensive on Amazon. Little bit goes a long way. My Kubota has the impossible sight glass. It must be a Japanese thing. My Yamaha has one too

 

[Shawn T. W.]

JD sells it, it's expensive per ml, you might get 2 fills out of it but they suggest it's for 5 gallons (if it's pasty or dried up, add hydraulic fluid and stir!) ... I bought mine from https://www.zoro.com/kingscote-dye-...red-4-oz-506250-r4/i/G5130815/#specifications (I bought some gloves also to bump total up to get "free shipping!")

Wear gloves, I recommend pouring/dripping it into the jug, then pouring into tractor ...

2 drops per gallon ...

 

[rontaki]

Once dyed red, is the oil tax-free?
A flashlight might make the level on a dipstick easier to see. Might also work for a sight glass