Can't read hydraulic oil dip stick level - use dye?

[Timmer92]

Hello,

I have a 2019 L3901. The hydraulic dip stick is silver metal. The hydraulic oil is clear on the stick and not once have I been able to read it with any confidence. I end up finding a zip tie to stick in there. Anyone have a good solution for this? I did find another post where they suggested John Deere dye. There are plenty of other dyes out there that are intended to find leaks. If I did add dye would I get any grief about my warranty if I had an issue?

 

[Dave_eng]

Hello,

I have a 2019 L3901. The hydraulic dip stick is silver metal. The hydraulic oil is clear on the stick and not once have I been able to read it with any confidence. I end up finding a zip tie to stick in there. Anyone have a good solution for this? I did find another post where they suggested John Deere dye. There are plenty of other dyes out there that are intended to find leaks. If I did add dye would I get any grief about my warranty if I had an issue?

Many dipsticks have a raised texture in the "Normal" level range to make discerning the fluid level easier. Some have holes which fill with oil when the dipstick, after being wiped clean, is reinserted.

Consider using a small triangle file and making two shallow notches at the low and medium levels.

Try this idea first on your zip tie to get an idea of the necessary depth of the notch. It should not need much depth.

The John Deere dyes are used by owners whose tractors have a sight glass rather than a dip stick.

You can also try using a Kleenex. Wipe the dip stick clean, re-insert and then use the edge of the Kleenex to slide down the dipstick watching for the edge to start absorbing oil.

Dave

 

[SDT]

Hello,

I have a 2019 L3901. The hydraulic dip stick is silver metal. The hydraulic oil is clear on the stick and not once have I been able to read it with any confidence. I end up finding a zip tie to stick in there. Anyone have a good solution for this? I did find another post where they suggested John Deere dye. There are plenty of other dyes out there that are intended to find leaks. If I did add dye would I get any grief about my warranty if I had an issue?

Flashlight and reading glasses usually work for me.

Yes, it's annoying but it works.

SDT

 

[NHSleddog]

Drill a hole at the full point on the stick.

 

[Thunder chicken]

i got hyd oil dye from PetroCanada. It's blue. shows up really good on the dip stick, and on snow! It only took a 1/4 of a small (1/2 qt) container to dye the ~15 gallons that are in this machine. one container will last you darn near a lifetime.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I use Chevron THC Synthetic All weather hydraulic oil and it's dyed orange of all things.

 

[DrankTheOrangeKoolaid]

You can also try using a Kleenex. Wipe the dip stick clean, re-insert and then use the edge of the Kleenex to slide down the dipstick watching for the edge to start absorbing oil.

Dave

I do something similar using the shop paper towel. Take the dipstick and place the tip on the towel and then lay the dipstick on the towel. Look for where the oil is absorbed by the towel to get your level.

 

[Creature Meadow]

Black magic marker on the dipstick up to the full mark helps me.

 

[Bmyers]

I'm glad to I'm not alone. I have a devil of time seeing the oil on the dipstick.

 

[mikester]

On one of the other forums, a user posted he heated up the tip of the dipstick until it blued and that made it easier to read.

 

[Technical Ted]

I wipe the dip stick clean and blacken the end with a magic marker. This lets you see the oil very well. I know that my father had used a torch to heat up the end of a dip stick until it turned blue from the heat. This is a more permanent solution to the magic marker.

 

[Wildan]

Drill a hole at the full point on the stick.

Add the JD dye ,just make sure to tell your dealer if you have it service there.They tend to panic when they see red.

 

[Ridelght]

I wipe the dip stick clean and blacken the end with a magic marker. This lets you see the oil very well. I know that my father had used a torch to heat up the end of a dip stick until it turned blue from the heat. This is a more permanent solution to the magic marker.

Read this after i got my 2022 l4060 last year. Just did the sudt2 oil and filters. The magic marker on the end works great. I measured what i removed and put that much back in. Then topped off for filter daturation that didnt drain. Worked great. Thanks !!
I heated the sharpie marks too. So discoloration quicker.

 

[fast*st]

Hello,

I have a 2019 L3901. The hydraulic dip stick is silver metal. T

I painted mine black with epoxy paint