Hydraulic sight class

pdqford · May 11, 2012

Newbie here - with new (to me) 2520.

What is the correct way to check the transmission/hydraulic oil level?

With the tractor parked on level ground and all the hydraulic attachments lowered, the sight glass looked to be empty. Added a half quart of Hy-Gard and the sight glass looked to be about 1/4 filled.

After using the tractor, parked it in the same place. Next day when I went to use it, the sight glass was completely filled !

Any idea as to what's going on here or what I'm over looking?

smalltown · May 11, 2012

When I changed my transmisssion oil last fall on my 2520 I thought I had over filled it. I resorted to using the dip stick that is located on the left hand side of the tractor (below the and to the left of the seat). It's kind of a pain to get out, but when in doubt I prefere the stick. My sight glass level did come back to normal after really cycling all the hyrdraulic pieces.

pdqford · May 11, 2012

I haven't found a dip stick.
Is the stick suposed to be part of the fill cap?

One manual I have shows the fill cap on the left side of and under the seat.
My other manual shows the fill cap in front of the seat, under the SVC lock lever, where the fill cap is on my 2520. My fill cap doesn't have a dip stick :ashamed:

smalltown · May 11, 2012

No not part of the dip stick I'll try and fid a photo for you

smalltown · May 11, 2012

Ok took a couple of photos. The first is looking down alongside the low/neutral/high transmission lever in the low position. Can't see anything no wonder people including me could not find that little devil.

Second photo place shift lever in the high position, and look again (green arrrow poing at the dip stick. White arrow is the transmission lever in high).

You will need skinny hands to reach the stick handle to pull it up. I have a small plastic hook. Then make sure you reseat it good to keep out the dirt.
They didn't want to make it easy for us!

My fill cap it in front of and just below the seat. Yellow cover labled oil. It's just a cap. I used a long funnel to get my new fluid.
My owners manual page 47 (service transmission) step 4 filler cap = B

glc24 · May 11, 2012

pdqford said:
Newbie here - with new (to me) 2520.

What is the correct way to check the transmission/hydraulic oil level?

With the tractor parked on level ground and all the hydraulic attachments lowered, the sight glass looked to be empty. Added a half quart of Hy-Gard and the sight glass looked to be about 1/4 filled.

After using the tractor, parked it in the same place. Next day when I went to use it, the sight glass was completely filled !

Any idea as to what's going on here or what I'm over looking?

Do you by chance have the FEL attached?
Make sure you retract all the cylinders. Other than that,it should have given you the same sight glass if you did do that and had the 3PT lowered.

As smalltown posted,the stick will give you a better idea of your level. It is a bear to get to though. I was looking my tractor over,and found the darn thing by accident.Why it's in that location,only JD knows.

Greg

pdqford · May 12, 2012

I FOUND IT ! :thumbsup:

Thanks to smalltown's photos ! Who woulda every thought . . . .

Used a large box end wrench to reach down in that inaccessable space and hooked it on the dip stick handle and pulled the dip stick out. :licking:

So now I have one more question:
The markings on the dip stick show an "ADD" line, above which is an "XXX" area. Is the "XXX" area indicating too much oil has been added, or are we supposed to fill it into the "XXX" area?

smalltown · May 12, 2012

Going to need some backup on this answer!

I cannot find any documentation on the stick itself.
My opinion is that you need to be in the XXX area.

anybody else????