Loader Correct way to check hydrolic fluid in tractor

[Abby14411]

I am sure there are many different ways to check the fluids in your tractor depending on what tractor you have along with year and type transmission. I have a Ford 1720 wtih an FEL and 3pt manual tansmission. My manual does not state how to check the hydrolic fluid. The ford has a dip stick by the gear shift and I beleive the hydrolic fluid and transmission oil are the same. So the question... in what postion are the FEL and 3 pt to be in when checking the dip stick? My thoughts are the FEL in the down position, cylinders all the way in, bucket in up position cylinders all the way in and as for the 3 point hitch it really doesn't matter.
Thanks
Terry

 

[gwdixon]

None of it really matters. The FEL has double acting hydraulic rams so what comes out of one side goes in the other.

If the 3PH is external then it is single acting and should be down. Internal - don't know. It makes such little difference compared to the size of the sump that a different reading would be miniscule.

It is more important that you check it occasionally like you are doing.

 

[Abby14411]

Okay, the FEL thing doesn;t make since to me but if that is the cases so be it.

 

[WinterDeere]

In theory, there is a miniscule amount of difference in cylinders retracted vs. extended, even with a dual acting FEL cylinder. With the rods extended, the entire cylinder is full of fluid, minus the volume of the piston at the end of the rod. With the rods retracted, the volume of the rod itself (in addition to the piston) is displaced, meaning the cylinder is holding less fluid.

Again, you're talking about a difference of maybe 0.024 cu.ft. (0.18 gallon) of fluid per cylinder, a mere drop in the pond of your hydro reservoir volume.

 

[Abby14411]

super I should be good to go, I am a little low is all.

 

[Jay4200]

My thoughts are the FEL in the down position, cylinders all the way in, bucket in up position cylinders all the way in and as for the 3 point hitch it really doesn't matter.

Cylinders all the way in will give you the highest reading, but when you take into account the *maybe* quart of fluid displaced by the piston shafts compared to the 10 gallons of hydraulic fluid in the transmission, I don't think you would even be able to read a difference.

A gallon either way won't matter anyway - you're being too ****-retentive in your measuring technique.

JayC

 

[jrepp44]

I don't want to hijack this thread however, has anyone used the special red Hydraulic dye from John Deer? - I have a hard time seeing the fluid level on the dip stick and thought this might help.

 

[MHarryE]

The cylinders on my loader make about 1/2 gallon difference extended vs. retracted and yes, it is noticeable on the dipstick. Yhe manual says to check with the loader down, bucket curled.

 

[WinterDeere]

The cylinders on my loader make about 1/2 gallon difference extended vs. retracted and yes, it is noticeable on the dipstick.

I actually forgot to multiply by pi (3.14) the first time I ran those numbers, and have since corrected my above post, but the conclusion is the same.

In your case, you must have some mighty big cylinders or a small reservoir. Do the math on your 1/2 gallon difference, assuming the bucket is basically always curled when the machine is parked, you're talking about 1/4 gallon (58 cu.in.) for each of those loader arm cylinders. To get 58 cu.in. fluid difference out of a single cylinder, you would need to extend it by the following distance:

1" rod dia. - 74" extended
1.25" rod dia. - 47" extended
1.5" rod dia. - 33" extended

Most 1" rods don't extend 74", and most 1.25" rods don't extend 47". A 33" extension on a 1.5" rod might be feasible, but that's on a machine of significant size, where 1/2 gallon of fluid is going to stay well within the safe range on the dipstick.

I suppose if you were to double the numbers, assuming someone might have their loader way up in the air AND their bucket fully rolled forward when checking their fluid (can't imagine why anyone would EVER do that...), and it might approach feasibility. Still, unlikely.

 

[bikerdib]

Yes, I have the dye in my tractor and it helps tremendously. It went from struggling to determine the leve to seeing it with a quick glance. WELL worth the small amount of $ the dye costs.

Back on topic, I always check with the bucket curled, the loader on the ground and the 3pt lowered.

I don't want to hijack this thread however, has anyone used the special red Hydraulic dye from John Deer? - I have a hard time seeing the fluid level on the dip stick and thought this might help.