Is hydraulic oil supposed to be added to regularly?

Billrozster · Jan 6, 2013

I purchased a Kubota L2900GST in Oct/Nov of last year. It has a white circle near the bottom of the hyd reservoir. Was told when I got it, that if I could all white that I needed to add hyd oil. I have had to do this 3 times now. Each time I have looked for oil and the first time it looked like there was some around the left back tire, like it might have come out the brakes or something. The last 2 times I cannot find any signs of leakage anywhere. Before the last time I parked it in clean snow, figuring if there was a leak I could see signs then. Could not find any. I have put a total of 4 gallons in which doesn't seem like much, I think I have read it holds about 11 gallons total. Should I be concerned or is this normal? When it gets that low I can hear whining coming from back when in reverse.

Boeing · Jan 6, 2013

The hydraulic system is a SEALED system....no usage at all (as is crankcase) LEAKAGE is the only way it can be low. BUT....after saying that; when I bought my L3010 the seller had just changed FEL hoses and told me that it "might need some fluid" The glass "eye" did show it low but the fluid WAS in sight. I changed the filter and then added fluid....and added fluid....and added fluid. Much like your situation, I added almost 5 GALLONS to bring that "EYE" indicator up to full level. It's been almost 90 hours since and it has not dropped at all. Good luck. Rob :thumbsup:

puckgrinder85 · Jan 6, 2013

Do you hook into other hydraulic implements that may be leaking?

murphy1244 · Jan 6, 2013

Check your engine oil it my be overfilled

Gary Fowler · Jan 6, 2013

There shouldnt be any way for hydraulic oil to get into the engine, BUT, who knows, stranger things have happened. As said, this is a closed system so leaking it the only way to loose oil. Perhaps it is one of those leaks that only occur when running and maybe it is spraying out so that it doesnt hit the tractor, possible but not too likley. I would vote for a leaking hose, filter or other joint in the hydraulic system. If all you have is a bullseye sight glass, it could be that you have never filled it to capacity to start with. I would start with getting the level to center of sight glass and then watch for leaks and check the sight glass frequently, (Hate those sight glasses as I cant tell when clear oil is present if it is totally empty or totally full.)

J_J · Jan 6, 2013

Your capacity of hyd fluid is 10.3 Gal,

Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Capacity: 10.3 gal [39.0 L]
Pump flow: 7.0 gpm [26.5 lpm]
Steering flow: 4.7 gpm [17.8 lpm]

If you had to add to that, then it is over flowing.

If it were not at the correct level, I think you would know it by lack of operating modes, FEL, 3pt. etc

Put a large piece of cardboard under the tractor,and you will see if there is a leak.

Attachments using hyd may have leaked out all their fluid , and when you used the hyd, the level in your tank went lower than normal.

Billrozster · Jan 7, 2013

Yes I have a FEL, did not notice any leaking though

Billrozster · Jan 7, 2013

Thanks for all the advice here. To answer questions, yes I have a FEL attached, did not notice any leaking though. Currently I am only using FEL and back-blade for plowing driveway. Hoses look in nice shape, so perhaps they were changed recently, I will contact seller to see if he knows. Will recheck oil just in case. I hate the Bullseye glass as well. Wow, Thanks for all the info J.J. I will put some cardboard down after parking to see what I can find.

CJONE · Jan 9, 2013

Gary Fowler said:
There shouldnt be any way for hydraulic oil to get into the engine, BUT, who knows, stranger things have happened. As said, this is a closed system so leaking it the only way to loose oil. Perhaps it is one of those leaks that only occur when running and maybe it is spraying out so that it doesnt hit the tractor, possible but not too likley. I would vote for a leaking hose, filter or other joint in the hydraulic system. If all you have is a bullseye sight glass, it could be that you have never filled it to capacity to start with. I would start with getting the level to center of sight glass and then watch for leaks and check the sight glass frequently, (Hate those sight glasses as I cant tell when clear oil is present if it is totally empty or totally full.)

If the pump is engine mounted and it looses a seal the oil will transfer into the engine. It actually happens quite often in mobile equipment. To the O/P have you changed out hydraulic driven implements alot? That may explain where your oil went. Or like was suggested it was low to begin with. CJ