JD 2720 Hydraulic Fluid level window

[suburbanfarmer]

As you all know by now that I am new tractors and this is used but new to me tractor.

I have been trying figure out the hydraulic oil level in the tractor but the window near the PTO never shows anything. I have parked it flat, incline & decline to see how much oil is left but nothing seems to give me a visible line.
After each park I waited 2 hours to see if there was any level line visible.
Any ideas or thoughts on what is going on?

 

[chevy]

The fluid level is low. You need to park it on a flat surface & add fluid until you can see it in the site glass.

 

[jgayman]

The 2720 sight glass can be VERY finicky. I usually let mine sit over night before checking it. Also, make sure your 3PH is fully lowered. If you don't have the JD red dye added to your fluid it can be very difficult to see on the sight glass as the sight glass can be completely covered and yet look empty. Below is what mine looks like.

There is a dip stick located on the left side of the transmission just below the range selector lever. It's a little difficult to get to but it can give you a much more accurate measure on how much oil is in the reservoir. I am including a photo of my dip stick that corresponds to the level shown in the sight glass.

 

[chevy]

I forgot that the 2720 had a dip stick. That is the best way to get a good reading.

 

[topstoy]

So my 2520 will show full when shutdown and sitting for a while. When I start the tractor, you can watch the level slowly drop into the sightglass after running for a few seconds. Then eventually drops below the sightglass as hydraulic oil is supplied to system. Then when you shut it down, you will eventually see it creep back up as the systems drain back to the reservoir. If yours does this then it is pretty normal with most hydraulics. Even with my excavator with a much larger reservoir, you see this to some degree. Maybe not completely full when off, but dropping level as oil is supplied to the systems.

 

[suburbanfarmer]

The 2720 sight glass can be VERY finicky. I usually let mine sit over night before checking it. Also, make sure your 3PH is fully lowered. If you don't have the JD red dye added to your fluid it can be very difficult to see on the sight glass as the sight glass can be completely covered and yet look empty. Below is what mine looks like.

There is a dip stick located on the left side of the transmission just below the range selector lever. It's a little difficult to get to but it can give you a much more accurate measure on how much oil is in the reservoir. I am including a photo of my dip stick that corresponds to the level shown in the sight glass.

Where did you get the dye from; the dealer? I will do that with the next change.

 

[suburbanfarmer]

I will check the dip stick tomorrow morning. thanks all

 

[chevy]

I got my dye from John Deere. The part number is MT3668. It does not take very much to tint the oil. The bottle says it will treat 5 gallons, but you do not need that much.

 

[suburbanfarmer]

I couldnt pull out the dip stick as its way in, under the seat. Will have to fabricate a wire hanger pull. Wondering if pushing it back will be just as painful.
Which engineer decided to locate it in that horrible spot...

 

[chevy]

I couldnt pull out the dip stick as its way in, under the seat. Will have to fabricate a wire hanger pull. Wondering if pushing it back will be just as painful.
Which engineer decided to locate it in that horrible spot...

I believe that is why I did not remember there being a dip stick on the 2720. The site glass & dyed fluid was easier.