Hydraulic oil not showing on dip stick

[ledeviateur]

My John Deere 410 c 1985 recently had a hydraulic cylinder replaced and the mechanic told me to check the fluid after operating it. There are two dipsticks - the upper one was dry so I added new hydraulic oil. After several gallons and still not seeing anything on the dipstick my friend suggested checking the lower dipstick. It is very full ! My question is how adding fluid to the upper dipstick is filling the lower one. Is there communication between the reservoirs and are they the same oil ?

What should I do now ?

 

[nyone]

There has to be a manual online. With such a simple normal maintence item like checking the fluids I suggest you read the manual. How did you check the fluids before?

 

[ledeviateur]

There has to be a manual online. With such a simple normal maintence item like checking the fluids I suggest you read the manual. How did you check the fluids before?

Thankyou, I do have the manual and because I did not find the answer there I asked for help on this forum. I did not check the fluids before - it is a new machine to me.

 

[WranglerX]

Is it possible the you have two different reservoirs at different heights and you are filling wrong one in relation to dipsticks....

 

[dlctcg]

My question is how adding fluid to the upper dipstick is filling the lower one. Is there communication between the reservoirs and are they the same oil ?

What should I do now ?

If I'm not mistaken the 410C has two dipsticks in there, one is for the reverser and one is for transmission/hydraulic oil & both use the same type oil (so no issue there). The reverser oil should be checked with the engine running & both levels are filled through those dipstick tubes respectively. You would need to look at the owners manual to know which is which....

The 410C uses the transaxle oil as the hydraulic reservoir & a separate one for the reverser. I'm guessing you will find it is the reverser that is filling up? Some 410c's had aluminum coolers, some had steel... You should check to see if your oil cooler is aluminum or steel. If aluminum the internal baffle can fail and, I believe, transfer oil from the transaxle to the reverser.

You might be able to test it by removing the lines and capping off the end of one of the trans or hydraulic reservoir lines on the cooler & then using some low air pressure air pressure to the other end and see if air comes out of the other line you didn't cap. I would also think a radiator shop could test it.....

I can't say this is the issue but I would definitely check it... had a friend of mines machine that had it happen to....

 

[KyleB83]

I’ll walk out to our 410c tomorrow and see what I can find if it will help.
I remember being told there was 2 dipsticks for 1 reservoir tho

 

[Texasmark]

My John Deere 410 c 1985 recently had a hydraulic cylinder replaced and the mechanic told me to check the fluid after operating it. There are two dipsticks - the upper one was dry so I added new hydraulic oil. After several gallons and still not seeing anything on the dipstick my friend suggested checking the lower dipstick. It is very full ! My question is how adding fluid to the upper dipstick is filling the lower one. Is there communication between the reservoirs and are they the same oil ?

What should I do now ?

I have experienced that numerous times with TDH fluids that sit for awhile without being checked with the dipstick. Knowing the sump is at OEM spec. and seeing nothing on the DS, with no leaks, or puddles on the floor, makes one wonder. I don't know the mechanism but when I check TDH fluid, I pull the DS and wipe it off FIRST. Then take the sample. Solves that problem.