Can you overfill hydraulic fluid on a GC1723

[PJRAM]

Question for the group. My backhoe just stopped working. I noticed hydraulic fluid squirting out of one of the fittings. So I tightened the fitting and bought some AGCO hydraulic fluid to put in the machine. I could not for the life of me see any change in the sight glass while I was filling it. So my question is, should I be concerned if I overfilled the hydraulic fluid? Or should I siphon the fluid out until I see a change in the sight glass and refill it. Thanks.

 

[Dmacleo]

can't remember if fluid check on TLB done with backhoe on or off.
know on units w/o backhoe loader curled up and lowered and 3pt lowered is procedure. clean sight glass really well as its hard to see.
and yeah overfill can be an issue.
easiest way to drain is connect a hose to one of the loader outputs and just hit the lever at idle. fluid will come out.
if backhoe SUPPOSED to be on (manual will say) see what position cylinders on that supposed to be. that actually matters.
they don't hold much fluid. I replaced a bucket cylinder, approx 1/2 cup of fluid if that.

 

[Dmacleo]

I'll be doing full service on a GC1725M TLB (only difference between GC1723 is 2hp and a 12v outlet in fender really) and I'll check the manuals on this issue. gonna be pouring over it anyway so may as well post procedure LOL
its the same model fel and hoe.

 

[hube2]

It is extremely easy to overfill. It seriously only takes about a cup of oil to raise the level from the bottom of the glass to the top of the glass. One of the things not covered in any of the books that I could find was any information on it being overfilled. If you do find something let us know. Last time I did mine it was at the bottom of the glass and I added 3 more "Glugs" (technical term ) and I was over, no idea by how much. Hasn't seemed to hurt anything.

 

[Dmacleo]

I can say for sure way too much when hot it will come out the vented fill cap. sometimes that clear glass with new fluid is hard to see.can look empty while actually full.
no damage done luckily. also was on someone else's GC tractor and he urged me to add lot more. he didn't believe me when I said was overfull.
course if your vented cap is crudded up...you run a risk.

 

[MoMower]

And a very slight incline with the front downhill can show empty…..sight glass is a PIA. Lol

 

[Dmacleo]

And a very slight incline with the front downhill can show empty…..sight glass is a PIA. Lol

damn right it is. I have spot in yard that I know over 10x6ft area is within 1/4" level. I use that spot a LOT

 

[kenmbz]

Overfill will just mess up the cap, it's vented and the tank isn't under pressure.
That site glass is a pain, empty and completely covered look very similar.
Only when fill line is in site glass is it easy to see.
Would love a vented dipstick cap for that.

 

[hube2]

I put red dye in mine.

Yep, if you are going down hill don't be surprised if you look at the glass and see no fluid. That got me once, actually scared me that there was a problem until I figured out what was going on.

 

[Dmacleo]

Overfill will just mess up the cap, it's vented and the tank isn't under pressure.
That site glass is a pain, empty and completely covered look very similar.
Only when fill line is in site glass is it easy to see.
Would love a vented dipstick cap for that.

thats why I mentioned messed up cap. if vent does not work the expansion due to heat can cause an issue. with no vent there is pressure created then. thats why its vented.its not pump pressure but expansion pressure. and te pressure WILL go somewhere.
heres example on rear wheel drive vehicle (its easier to imagine) plug your vent then overfill the differential and and then see your axle seals start leaking. seen it many times fixd vents, replaced seals and bearings many times.
heat=expansion=pressure