Fluid level help

marceldig · Jan 10, 2004

I just completed my 50 hour service on my L3000F. I followed the instructions in the owner's manual for changing the hydraulic fluid and drained all four plugs and removed and cleaned the strainer. As indicated by the manual, I refilled to the upper line of the indicator lens. I put in about 7 gallons (spec's indicate a 7.4 gallon fill), about 5 gallons in the front fill plug and about 2 gallons in the rear. I then started the engine and ran it for a few minutes and checked the gauge again. The lens indicated no fluid level, so I put the remainder of the 3rd 2.5 gallon bottle of UDT into the front fill plug, started it again, and still no level in the site glass. I added another ½ gallon, ran the motor for a few minutes, turned the steering wheel to activate the power steering, and raised and lowered the hitch a few times. Still no level in the site glass. I was unable to drive the tractor at that time, but my next step is to drive it around the yard a few times and check the level again. I also put all the used fluid into the same three 2.5 gallon containers, so I'm reasonable sure that there was about 7.4 gallons in the tractor before I drained it and the site glass indicated full. Am I missing something? Thanks for your help.

Glenn9643 · Jan 10, 2004

Is it possible that it is overfilled? With all cylinders retracted on my tractor the oil level is above the lens and almost "invisible". A slight extension of the FEL cylinders will bring the level within the sight glass and make it easier to see.

Bird · Jan 10, 2004

My guess would be the same as Glenn's. That stuff is clear and hard to see sometimes.

JerryG · Jan 10, 2004

Take a small rod, size it up from the refill hole down to the middle of the sight glass. That way you will know where the level should be on the rod. Then use the rod as a dip stick. Clear as mud. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

marceldig · Jan 10, 2004

You guys were right on! When I finished up last night, the lights in the old garage were not very good and the new fluid is considerably lighter than the old. This afternoon, I opened the garage door and sunlight fell across the lens, and sure enough, you could see the fluid plus there was a small air bubble at the top of the lens. I drained out about a gallon plus, cranked her up and everything was fine. Thanks all of you for the help.

Glenn9643 · Jan 10, 2004

I'm glad to hear that there's no problem.
I don't really think it was necessary to drain out the excess oil, but I don't guess it hurt either. As I said, mine stays above the lens when all the cylinders are retracted but it's a geared tractor. Might make a difference if HST?? I don't really know.

ruger0006 · May 7, 2012

Does anyone have an electronic copy of the L3000F owners manual. I just bought a used one and they didn't have the owners manual. Thanks for the info regarding the hydraulic fluid levels as this is the reason for my checking this forum.

Thanks