Ran the tractor when low on Hydraulic fluid

[lzicc]

I posted over weekend about losing some hydro fluid due to a fitting coming lose. I didn't have any spare hydro fluid to bring the level up but when I looked at the site glass, it looked like the hydro oil level was just on the low side so I decided to run the tractor. I couldn't get any oil since the dealer was closed. When Monday came, I bought some fluid to top off the tractor and found out that I actually lost 3 gallons. How I could make that mistake of thinking I saw the oil only at the low level is beyond me. The tractor seems to be running fine, but now I am not real happy that I ran it like that. I only turned 100 hours yesterday and running it low really bothers me. The total hydro capacity is 6.2 gallons. Could I have done some damage running it while it was low on hydro fluid? That was stupid of me running it and taking a chance like that.

 

[gwdixon]

The tractor is fine. No need to fret.

If the oil is way to low the hydraulics will stop working. If they worked when you ran it then there was enough to get you by.

Because of heat dissipation issues the volume of oil is much more than actually necessary to protect the internals. Do keep it topped up of course, but running for a little while it is not a disaster.

 

[riptides]

Don't know about damage if it is still running. I did this exact same thing many years ago to a L series I had, I think the dip sticks must collect fluid somehow... My bud has it now and has zero issues with it....

 

[DAY]

Because of heat dissipation issues the volume of oil is much more than actually necessary to protect the internals. .

Look at the highway mowers as you are driving around this summer. They have a HUGE (100's of gallons) reservoir, usually hanging off the back, because they are running all day long. (except when they are sleeping under a tree)

 

[lzicc]

Thanks all, I feel better now. It's been stressing me out since it happened. I like to take care of my stuff and especially a machine that is not quite 6 months old.

 

[jonyyuma]

Low oil, probably less than a third?? I doubt if being low caused the unit to suck air into the fluid on a tractor..They have a reserve sized supply for heat dissapation...Little items have a way with bugging me too, about equipment.

 

[bellweather]

Glad that your tractor is OK. Stuff like that really bums me. What I'm wondering is how you could have lost 3 gal of hydo fluid and not been fully aware of it?...I mean 3 gal is a major pool of liquid, a real mess!?

 

[lzicc]

You would think so. I was using my BH digging and when I went to push myself back some to reposition, I saw the ground was wet. I looked under the BH and could see a fitting was spraying fluid out. The dirt under the BH was pretty lose from digging, so it must have soaked into the ground as it was leaking.

Glad that your tractor is OK. Stuff like that really bums me. What I'm wondering is how you could have lost 3 gal of hydo fluid and not been fully aware of it?...I mean 3 gal is a major pool of liquid, a real mess!?

 

[jonyyuma]

I heard a small pop sound, and looked over my left shoulder to hear the hissing of hydro fluid spraying over it to the exhaust pipe up front. I had added the filter to the return, then failed tightening the last torquing of it to the base.After all my planning, I Lost over a gallon in seconds.But i was lucky the oil was cool as I had just put on the muffs and started it up. Chalk it up to Senior moments..I had to put down Kitty litter in my shop and newspapers to remove new hydro oil. Jy.

 

[lc12]

I did pretty much the same thing.
My fluid was low due to adding implements with hydraulic cylinders and did not take into consideration how much fluid the hoses and cylinders held.
Dumbass me!
My tractor ran fine and hydraulics worked but my lift load capacity did not seem right.
I checked the fluid at the dipstick, but it was so clear I could not tell if it was full.
Lesson learned.