Oil Stick Levels

JonSpinosa · Aug 4, 2001

Have any of you guys noticed how difficult it is to see the hydraulic oil levels on the dipsticks. I changed my front axle oil on my BX2200 to super UDT and cannot read the oil level on the stick. The viscosity and color of the super UDT makes it impossible to read. It drives me nuts to pull the dipstick out several times and still can't read it. Have any of you guys solved this problem? I am thinkink about painting it or roughing it up with some sand paper!! Any thoughts?

Jon

Bird · Aug 4, 2001

Jon, I think everyone has the same problem, and it's been discussed at length in other threads, but I'm not sure where to find them. Some of the solutions (if you can call them that) are:

(1) to dip the stick in talcum power first, then in the oil (don't like that one personally even though the powder supposedly won't hurt anything),
(2) bright lights,
(3) blot it on a clean paper towel when you take the stick out to see where the towel is wet,

and now I've forgotten the others; just use the bright light and/or blot it on a rag myself.

Bird

woodstock · Aug 4, 2001

Jon,
Take your vise grips and pinch the dip stick. This should make nice little dimpples to which the oil should be easier to see therein.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

2001 BX2200 (23 hrs) All Kubota FEL,Tiller, box blade, blower w/elec shute, 60 mid mt deck, Ag tires.
Grey market B7000 w/Tiller (120 hrs)

Von · Aug 4, 2001

How about changing the color with a permanent magic marker, say to black? I haven't tried it yet, but it might work.

JonSpinosa · Aug 4, 2001

After looking at the hydraulic oil dipstick(which is flat) and the axle oil dipstick(which is round) it became obvious to me that the geometry of the dipstick helps to determine how easy the dipstick can be read. Therefore, I filed the round dipstick so it is flat on one side. It worked!! Before the dipstick was impossible to read. Don't get me wrong, both dipsticks are difficult to read, however, at least I can read the axle oil dipstick!!!! I hope this may help you guys also.

Also, thanks for some of the suggestions. If there are more, please send them along.

Jon