Oil & Fuel Hydro sight glass

   / Hydro sight glass #1  

Sprtom

New member
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
5
Location
Iowa
Tractor
Branson 4720HST
Has anyone made a modification to allow different method of checking hydraulic fluid level. Changed fluid and filters. Put in fluid from 5-2 gallon containers. Figured with residual fluid in jugs that I was real close to 9.9 gallons required. My 67 year old eyes must be failing me because I can稚 tell if there is fluid in the site glass. Jacked rear of tractor up, looked the same. Raised front of tractor, looked the same. Is their a colored fluid that might be more visible. Any suggestions. Also, does anyone know if a 2015 4720h has any screens in the hydro system? Removed a cover on the right side of axle housing and nothing there.thanks.
 
   / Hydro sight glass #2  
Try raising the 3pt and loader. Their cylinders use a gallon or so.

When I changed the fluid in my 3725 it only took 8.5 gallons to get to the glass. Then I checked again a few hours of operation later and it needed another gallon or so. Both checks were with the loader down though the 3pt might have been up.

There is a dye for tractor fluid. Deere sells it.
 
   / Hydro sight glass #3  
I ran into that problem when I changed oil. I put the specified amount in and unknowingly filled it way above the sight glass. I continued to put more in waiting for it to show up on the glass, but I was just over-filling it even more. Ended up draining some out and filling it more slowly to the right level. Was kind of a pain. The dye Eric mentioned might be a worthwhile idea.
 
   / Hydro sight glass
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Try raising the 3pt and loader. Their cylinders use a gallon or so.

When I changed the fluid in my 3725 it only took 8.5 gallons to get to the glass. Then I checked again a few hours of operation later and it needed another gallon or so. Both checks were with the loader down though the 3pt might have been up.

There is a dye for tractor fluid. Deere sells it.

Thanks for your responses. I will try the dye.
 
   / Hydro sight glass #5  
The dye is the answer. It's very effective. A tip - you only have to add it every two or three changes because enough stays in to show the level. Deere dealers don't always have it in stock but can quickly get it. Call first.
 
   / Hydro sight glass #6  
Has anyone made a modification to allow different method of checking hydraulic fluid level. Changed fluid and filters. Put in fluid from 5-2 gallon containers. Figured with residual fluid in jugs that I was real close to 9.9 gallons required. My 67 year old eyes must be failing me because I can稚 tell if there is fluid in the site glass. Jacked rear of tractor up, looked the same. Raised front of tractor, looked the same. Is their a colored fluid that might be more visible. Any suggestions. Also, does anyone know if a 2015 4720h has any screens in the hydro system? Removed a cover on the right side of axle housing and nothing there.thanks.
I just went thru this same scenario with my new 3520 shuttle shift. Glass showed it low because I had developed a hydraulic leak,(my fault) so I bought a 2 gallon jug and started pouring and checking. Back and forth till the jug was empty. Called the dealer and they suggested to remove the sight glass and the oil would drain out to the proper level. Evidently if the sight glass is not clear looking but sort of murky then its overfilled. At the red dot is where the fluid should be. So you will have a dull color below the dot and a very shiny bare metal color above the dot. If its all murky then drain it by the sight glass. It will pry out with a small screw driver. Be careful to not tear rubber gasket around the glass. Use the funnel to catch the oil and drain it back into the jug. According to the mechanics. The oil can raise and lower by itself due to expansion and contraction of the oil. Good luck on it and don't feel bad. Its probably happened to a lot of us on our first tractors. It was a cheap lesson for me to learn.
 
   / Hydro sight glass #7  
If it's like the one on the 2025R, it's useless without 2 people. You need to see the level as it comes up into the little circular glass. If it fills before you look, it looks the same as empty.

I used about a 3" long screwdriver down the fill hole. Didn't find anything. Put about a quart more in. Showed up on the end of the screwdriver. I'm good.

Ralph
 
   / Hydro sight glass #8  
If it's like the one on the 2025R, it's useless without 2 people. You need to see the level as it comes up into the little circular glass. If it fills before you look, it looks the same as empty.

I used about a 3" long screwdriver down the fill hole. Didn't find anything. Put about a quart more in. Showed up on the end of the screwdriver. I'm good.

Ralph
 

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