Overfilled Tranny Fluid

Tom K---Semper Fi · Dec 28, 2010

I just started my Ford 1620 for the first time since it had it's 300 hour service from the local Ford (New Holland) dealer. When I rev'd up the engine, I heard a high pitched squeal that stopped whenever I operated the FEL control. I figured this meant that the hydrostatic tranny fluid was either very low or very high. Sure enough when I checked the dip-stick, the level is at least an inch over the full mark. I moved the tractor out of the way and shut it down since the one pass that I made was enough for the amount of snow the wind left on my drive.

My questions are:

Was any damage done because the tranny fluid was so over full? (My actual driving/operating time was about 5 minutes).

Will I cause any damage driving the tractor for the minute it will take me to get into my garage to drain some excess fluid or do I have to do it in the snow?

If there wasn't any damage done, I'm going to keep the dealer out of it since they don't seem to have their act together :confused2:. I won't bore you with the long drawn out details, but I hadn't planned on ever dealing with them again anyway.

Thanks

devildog1 · Dec 28, 2010

My thoughts are that you said tractor was serviced @ 300 hour, does that mean they took tractor to shop and serviced it there? If so they had to drive it onto and off a trailer already right?So besides them doing service and driving tractor they HAD to notice same squeal that you did.I would call them and let them drain fluid or take tractor and do it, just because of damages that could happen.
My thoughts, Ooh-Rah DevilDog

Happyman · Dec 28, 2010

I would say no damage done. Drive to your garage and drain the excess fluid. BUT, call the dealer and let them know. It is the responsible thing to do to inform your dealer of bad service.

art · Dec 28, 2010

I'll throw out a wild possible here that they used newer oil and it was bumping a relief valve on the main line.

Might even clear out on its own!

The over full condition although needing to be delt with is not much more then driving over a hill with proper level oil!

CompactTractorFan · Dec 29, 2010

I think ours is a little over filled...:ashamed:

Soundguy · Dec 30, 2010

i bet cold new (thick) oil was also making the squeal. I doubt a lil over-full hurts much... i'd rather be a lil over full than low.. on something with new seals.

soundguy

Tom K---Semper Fi · Jan 1, 2011

Hi guys,

I drained about a quart of excess hyd fluid out of the tranny yesterday. It turns out it wasn't as overfilled as I thought, I had measured it the first time while on a bit of a slope

. After I drained the excess oil I still had the squeal, but it died out after the fluid warmed up by exercising the hydraulics and driving the tractor around a bit.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.