Oil level after maintenance

[dakota12gauge]

Just completed 50 hr. maintenance on kubota B2601. After draining trans and hydro oil (3 plugs) (wow that was a lot of oil that came out) and replacing HST and Trans filter and refilling with 4 gallons of SUDT2(capacity according to manual), the oil on trans dipstick is much higher than full indicator. Everything functions normally during testing. Should I be worried about this? Will it eventually 斗evel out after use? Should I drain some out? Your opinions are appreciated.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Run it for a few hours to allow thermal cycling of all fluids.
The vent should purge all the nooks and crannies where air can contribute to a higher oil level at first.

Check oil level after an overnight of cool down and check it again.

 

[diesel85]

You will always lose some hydraulic oil when you remove and attach hydraulic implements. Less likely if you don't.

 

[oosik]

My 2009 M6040 as an example: Owners Manual says with filter change, engine will take 11 quarts - - in fact, engine oil change with filter takes 14 quarts. Owners manual says with the two filters, hydraulic oil change will take 59 quarts - - in fact, with two filters, hydraulic oil change takes 63 quarts.

It is very obvious, at least in my case, the numbers must have been arrived at by some form of volumetric calculations rather than actual field experience.

The first time you change engine oil and hydraulic oil - monitor levels closely. After a couple days of operation - bring both levels to full line on dipsticks - record actual amount in your owners manual for future reference.

 

[kthompson]

Possible you did not get all drained even with three plugs. Tractor may not have been totally level, position of rear lift and if you have front end loader on it the then were the cyls retracted forcing the fluid into the transmission for draining.

I have two Kubotas and I do not find the amount per manual varies any noticeable amount in reality.

 

[California]

After some time to make sure you don't have air pockets etc then if it is considerably over full you might want to suction out some fluid to get back down to dipstick-max.

Because - there may be seals at the axles or somewhere that don't like to be submerged and the dipstick is calibrated to consider this.

 

[Wagtail]

Run it for a few hours to allow thermal cycling of all fluids.
The vent should purge all the nooks and crannies where air can contribute to a higher oil level at first.

Check oil level after an overnight of cool down and check it again.

Ensure that your tractor is on a level surface during the overnight 'settling period' and that the oil is cold (ie: the tractor hasn't been run prior to checking). The same applies to checking the engine oil.

 

[dakota12gauge]

Thanks for all the replies. I’m going to pull a little out so it’s at the proper dipstick level.

 

[davrow]

Some are saying they use MORE than the manual states. My experience is the opposite. My Kioti (HST) says capacity is 7.9 gallons. Yet it took only 6 gallons and 1 quart to read full. I just assume there is no way to drain everything completely.

The YouTube videos I watched prior to my first 50 hour maintenance experienced the same thing. Their recommendation was 'measure what comes out and replace that much'.

 

[Paystar]

My B2620 is the same.I drain it all and remove all filters on a level floor. But the first time I put the manuals suggested 4 gallons back in it was way over full even after cycling everything. I had to drain almost a half gallon back out.

And I hate the dipstick on the my B2620. When you first pull it out it is completely dry. But if you put it back in and take out again it will show the level. And it is hard to see.

 

[dakota12gauge]

My B2620 is the same.I drain it all and remove all filters on a level floor. But the first time I put the manuals suggested 4 gallons back in it was way over full even after cycling everything. I had to drain almost a half gallon back out.

And I hate the dipstick on the my B2620. When you first pull it out it is completely dry. But if you put it back in and take out again it will show the level. And it is hard to see.

Yes it’s hard to see. I’ve been pulling the dipstick out and laying it on a small piece of brown paper which then absorbs where the fluid level is. Makes it much easier to read.

 

[Gator6x4]

Yes it’s hard to see. I’ve been pulling the dipstick out and laying it on a small piece of brown paper which then absorbs where the fluid level is. Makes it much easier to read.

If you have a JD Dealer close stop in and buy a bottle of this. John Deere Oil MT3668. Makes checking that super clear Kubota hydraulic fluid level easy after adding.

 

[newbury]

If you have a JD Dealer close stop in and buy a bottle of this. John Deere Oil MT3668. Makes checking that super clear Kubota hydraulic fluid level easy after adding.

But it get's others worried that you put ATF in

 

[Oldoak]

But it get's others worried that you put ATF in

But then we could get another long running thread going: What ATF to use, Dexron VI, Mercon V, ATF+4, Type F, etc. and which is best, etc., etc.

 

[Fallon]

I dumped JD red dye in my L3200, probably the same stuff linked above. The sight glass ducked. You couldn't hardly see the fluid level in the middle of the glass, much less if it was above or below.

I warned the buyer not to wig out about the not ATF in there. Hopefully he remembers or tells the dealer if he has them do it.

Went to dump the 2nd half of the JD bottle in my new L4060, even though it has a dipstick. Unfortunately the last half was all dried out after a couple years.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I dumped JD red dye in my L3200, probably the same stuff linked above. The sight glass ducked. You couldn't hardly see the fluid level in the middle of the glass, much less if it was above or below.

I warned the buyer not to wig out about the not ATF in there. Hopefully he remembers or tells the dealer if he has them do it.

Went to dump the 2nd half of the JD bottle in my new L4060, even though it has a dipstick. Unfortunately the last half was all dried out after a couple years.

That is why I prefer a dipstick. I had a motorcycle once that only had a bullseye glass to tell the oil level and unless it was really dirty oil, you couldn't tell where the level was. Compounding that, the bike had to be level for the sight glass to read right and the bike had no center stand so it was a two man job to check the oil level.
Fortunately now, I have nothing with a sight glass for oil level, all dipsticks for me!!!

 

[Gary Fowler]

On my B26, the dipstick is very sensitive. Last time I changed hydraulic oil, I overfilled and had to remove the filter to let some drain out. Got too much, started to refill. None on the stick, poured in a couple of quarts, too much. I finally found that 1 quart low would make the oil level not touch the dipstick and one quart too much would make it go to the top of the stick.