Gotta Say "THANKS"

[John Ha]

The sight glass on my old L2350F has always been cloudy and I never could really tell whether the oil level was correct. I never bothered with it because I figured replacing it would involve major disassembly.

A few days ago I did a search and found an old (2021-ish) post here saying that the glass is replaceable and all one needs to do is drain a little oil out of the transmission and then use a screwdriver to remove the glass from the outside. The new one press fits back into the hole that remains

Holy cow .... wish I'd searched that long ago. But I have a replacement on order and, thanks to you all, I intend to fix that issue. After owning it for 30 years it's long overdue.

Just sayin' thanks for the great board with so much information.

 

[Trash Panda]

While you’re at it, throw some dye in that hydraulic fluid.

That’s a game changer.

 

[Russell King]

You may be able to tilt the tractor enough to not drain out any fluid while you’re changing the sight glass. Park on slope, rear wheel(s) on some boards/rocks/ramp…?

 

[John Ha]

While you’re at it, throw some dye in that hydraulic fluid.

This is something new to me. Is the purpose of the dye to make it easier to see the oil in the glass? Do you have any product recommendations?

Thanks

 

[Workerbee]

John Deere sells dye that works well

 

[lynnmor]

This is something new to me. Is the purpose of the dye to make it easier to see the oil in the glass? Do you have any product recommendations?

Thanks

The main purpose for dye is to find leaks, but it may help you see the oil level. I wouldn't use it if you can see the oil good enough.

 

[Trash Panda]

This is something new to me. Is the purpose of the dye to make it easier to see the oil in the glass? Do you have any product recommendations?

Thanks

John Deere makes a good option, and it’s even available on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Oil : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: Oil : Patio, Lawn & Garden

a.co

 

[McMXi]

The main purpose for dye is to find leaks, but it may help you see the oil level. I wouldn't use it if you can see the oil good enough.

"Game changer" is a leap for sure. I've never seen the need to add dye to the transmission fluid of any of the three HST tractors I've owned/own. The M6060 was hard to read with the bright metal dipstick but I fixed that by carburizing the part of the stick where the oil level shows up.

This is brand new hydraulic fluid in my first brand new MX6000 that I had for 15 months or so. The fluid doesn't magically change from translucent to transparent as the hours accumulate.



Here's the sight glass this morning on my second MX6000 that's getting close to 5 years old.

 

[Trash Panda]

"Game changer" is a leap for sure. I've never seen the need to add dye to the transmission fluid of any of the three HST tractors I've owned/own. The M6060 was hard to read with the bright metal dipstick but I fixed that by carburizing the part of the stick where the oil level shows up.

This is brand new hydraulic fluid in my first brand new MX6000 that I had for 15 months or so. The fluid doesn't magically change from translucent to transparent as the hours accumulate.

View attachment 174644

Here's the sight glass this morning on my second MX6000 that's getting close to 5 years old.

View attachment 174645

I’ve never had an issue seeing fluid on a sight glass, myself.

That being said, dye in the fluid is absolutely a game changer for my half-blind old timer buddies who haven’t had the same experience.

 

[McMXi]

I’ve never had an issue seeing fluid on a sight glass, myself.

That being said, dye in the fluid is absolutely a game changer for my half-blind old timer buddies who haven’t had the same experience.

I'm not a half-blind old timer but I used to struggle checking the hydraulic oil level in the M6060 until I upgraded it with the help of heat and old engine oil. I kind of wish it had a sight glass like the MX.

 

[Trash Panda]

I'm not a half-blind old timer but I used to struggle checking the hydraulic oil level in the M6060 until I upgraded it with the help of heat and old engine oil. I kind of wish it had a sight glass like the MX.

View attachment 174650

View attachment 174652

View attachment 174651

Smooth dipsticks just piss me off in general.

I had to drill fluid retention holes in the trans dipstick on my 68RFE to easier see the fluid levels, and I’ve got 20/10 vision

 

[Joisey]

I use a small piece of paper towel, tissue or napkin. Withdraw the dipstick and touch a corner of the paper product to the full level on the stick. If the oil is at that level it will wick up into the paper product. Go lower on the stick if you have to.

 

[John Ha]

The replacement glass came yesterday. I removed it from the packaging and realized that I probably didn't have to replace the one in my tractor.

I was very confused by what I was seeing on the tractor. I never looked at it closely and all I ever saw was a brownish-white color, leading me to think that the glass was clouded.

As it turns out, the white thing is part of the glass, apparently there to help one see the fluid. I parked the tractor on a slope briefly to truth-test this theory, and confirmed that the glass on the tractor is clear and functioning properly.

So I don't actually need to replace the glass, but probably should look into getting some dye for the next oil change

I learned from this episode, and appreciate all of the contributions all of you have made to that end as well.

Thank you.

 

[McMXi]

I use a small piece of paper towel, tissue or napkin. Withdraw the dipstick and touch a corner of the paper product to the full level on the stick. If the oil is at that level it will wick up into the paper product. Go lower on the stick if you have to.

I should have cross-hatched the dip stick on the M6060 and then blackened it. I might still do that.