HST fluid level

[yogibear]

I own a 2010 L3700SU with a LA524 loader. I bought it second hand when it had 10 hrs on it in January of this year. The previous owner said he had the LA524 dealer installed instead of the slightly smaller standard loader. It just went over 50 hours and my dad just did the scheduled maintenance on it.

After draining, straining and replacing about 5 gallons of the HST fluid, the level didn't quit come back up to the sight bubble. He expected this and added another gallon and a quart. It still didn't reach the bubble. He added another gallon (now we're up to about 7 total gallons) and still nothing. The manual says that the capacity is somewhere around 6 gallons.

We're now concerned that we're missing something. It works fine and there's no leaks anywhere. It's now apparent that we were operating it at less than capacity. I admit we didn't check it on delivery because it was like new.

Could the increased capacity be explained by the beafed up loader? Dad went to the dealer and talked to a mechanic, he said "you can't trust those manuals". I'm no mechanic and I have problems disregarding the primary resource I have for treating my "toys" right. Do we just keep adding fluid until it reaches the site bubble? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[kc8fbl]

I would say to just be careful. I think too that there is a little extra fluid being used since the loader is bigger. Bigger cylinders hold more fluid.

I've also heard that the capacities can differ from what the manual calls for. That is just general guideline to follow. 7 gallons seems to be plenty, but each tractor is different.

 

[Bulldog]

I know it a different tractor but my L3000 holds about 8.5 gallons in the tranny. If it was me I would add fluid until it comes up in the glass. Be sure you have it as level as you can. It will surprise you how much the fluid level will change with just a small slant.

 

[bosshogg]

When I changed mined I overshot the full level and the fluid was so clear it was difficult to detect in the window. I have a straight transmission and it took about 7 gals and 1 quart.

 

[hodge]

I agree- trust your sight window. That was engineered into the tractor; the manual is an afterthought, plus it can have things get lost in translation. Just make sure that the tractor is sitting level.

 

[GWD]

When I changed mined I overshot the full level and the fluid was so clear it was difficult to detect in the window. I have a straight transmission and it took about 7 gals and 1 quart.

Agree with the others on the capacity. But make sure you don't overfill. The sight glass background is BRIGHT white. Any slightly yellowish or light brown color in the glass is hydraulic fluid.

Try parking the tractor on a side hill so the sight glass is on the low side. Something should show up in the glass. Then you will know for sure it is low.

Then turn around and park it so the sight glass is high just to check for sure. You should see the bright white.

Afterwards, you can park it level and add until the oil level can be seen.

Hate to admit it but I once filled a L3650-DT (geared) until the oil ran out the fill hole. Had to drain off about 4 gallons. It holds 7.7 gallons. All because clean fluid looks so clear.

The FEL hydraulics usually don't drain unless you do something special. You'd have to lift the loader and bucket, turn off the engine, drain the hydraulic oil, and then lower the bucket and loader to squirt the remaining oil into the reservoir. Move the joystick to all positions several times.

There is not enough oil in the cylinders to make much of a difference so it is usually not done.

 

[bosshogg]

Until I shined a flashlight into the sight window it was impossible to tell there was fluid present. Once I discovered my error, I drained 2 gallons out and started over.

 

[Jefferson]

Make sure your loader and 3 pt are lowered all the way down when checking sight guage.

 

[yogibear]

Thanks for the responses. I went to my local dealership and compared an empty sight window and a full one. It's pretty obvious when it's empty because it is pure white. I'll apply this information and see if we can figure this out, which should be by this Sunday.

 

[yogibear]

Got it figured out. Too much fluid. When I looked with a bright LED flashlight, I saw a very small bubble in the top of the site window. Dad drained off 3 quarts and the bubble became bigger, so, job complete. Thanks for the advice.

 

[GWD]

Good to hear that it all worked out.

And we appreciate hearing back when problems are solved or even when they continue. Nothing worse than to become interested in an issue and then have the poster disappear.

 

[fast*st]

Had a difficult time myself determining the correct level on a M7040, the dipstick being bright and the oil being thin and clear makes reading it almost impossible. I did finally get it in the range and then noticed, inside the fill hole, there's a step in the case that's just level with the oil when the stick is on the full mark.

 

[bosshogg]

Had a difficult time myself determining the correct level on a M7040, the dipstick being bright and the oil being thin and clear makes reading it almost impossible. I did finally get it in the range and then noticed, inside the fill hole, there's a step in the case that's just level with the oil when the stick is on the full mark.

A lot of times you need to hold them up to the light and look for the "wet" verses "non-wet" delineation.

 

[fast*st]

A lot of times you need to hold them up to the light and look for the "wet" verses "non-wet" delineation.

coloring one side with a sharpie works good for a couple weeks but constant wiping and checking rubs off the ink. A paket of red diesel dye would work great but that super UDT is too clear.

 

[ipz2222]

"can't see the fluid level",,, I added 2 qts of full synthetic trans fluid to my hydralic fluid. Gave me just enough pink to see it on the dipstick.

 

[kiwifarms]

just picked up a L3650 gst w loader and backhoe there is no sightglass on the side of trans how do u check the hyd oil level ???

 

[Bulldog]

Normally if there's no site glass it will have a dip stick around the 3pt hitch area.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The sight glass is at your heal on your left foot.