VT235 Front axel fluid level

[qed-cat225]

looking to see if the the fluid level is correct in the front axel, I see the little window to look in and it appears there is a small white ball or something there, assume that ball should be in the middle of the sight glass?? Can someone confirm or post a photo

 

[tman1020]

thats the way i understand it.

 

[SSdoxie]

Yes, ball should be floating.

 

[qed-cat225]

can you top it off with non bobcat brand fluid? If so what recommendation do you have?

 

[tman1020]

I just changed my front axel fluid at 50 hours per manual recommendation. I used synthetic 8090 weight valvoline brand. It called for 4.75 quarts but Actually took a little less.

 

[SSdoxie]

Front axle comes UTF (Universal Tractor Fluid), but that is more for break-in and ease of using only 1 fluid at the factory. 80W-90 is the normal recommended fluid after the first change. Since ball is not floating you don't know how low it is unless you remove the fill plug and dip it with a wire, adding a little 80w-90 won't hurt or better yet drain it and refill.

 

[tman1020]

I'm with ssdoxie drain and refill. With 8090 weight.

 

[afoster]

I just noticed that the white float ball is not floating in the sight glass. I took the filler plug off and checked to see if there is oil in the front axle and there is and it appears to be at the right height. It looks like the sight glass can be removed, but before I did that, I wanted to hear if anyone else has experienced the same issue.

 

[tman1020]

its probably just low. jack up fill side and see if it shows on float ball.

 

[tman1020]

I have changed the fluid in my front axle and made sure I put in the exact amount called for in the manual. At first sight glass showed too much fluid after I drove it around a bit then it showed correct then the next day it showed low so I waited used it again still showed low. Added fluid approximately half a quart same thing showed high until I drove it around and was okay for a day or two checked yesterday showed low again what the heck? I know it's not leaking I park on the new concrete floor that is level. So I added another half a quart it's showing a little high now. I'm starting to think that the little ball in the window is hanging up but even still when it showed low it looked as though the fluid level was down also. I think I'm better off with a little more fluid then a little less fluid don't you think?