F2680 supernatural phenomenon

[jcross312]

Somebody please explain this to me.

Ever since I've had this mower, when I check the hydro fluid, the dipstick comes out bone dry when I pull it out. Not a trace of fluid.

Put it right back in (exactly the same as it was) and pull it out, and it shows full.

Every time.

Can someone explain that to me?

How can it come out dry when it's full of oil?!?? Dip it right back in and it shows full.

 

[JasonW]

 

[jcross312]

View attachment 158451

I hope this is some proprietary Kubota technology that I'm not aware of. I mean, I like the self wiping dipstick, but what the actual **** is going on?

If I don't get a good answer I'll make a video next time I use it

 

[JasonW]

Really it’s more likely just pressure/vacuum in the dipstick tube. My tractor does the same thing with the hydraulic dip stick. My boat motor also does the same thing.
Always pull, clean then reinstall to check proper level.

 

[jcross312]

Really it’s more likely just pressure/vacuum in the dipstick tube. My tractor does the same thing with the hydraulic dip stick. My boat motor also does the same thing.
Always pull, clean then reinstall to check proper level.

It would have to be some sort of vacuum/pressure keeping the fluid out of the tube. But I never hear any kind of sound when I pull the dipstick, and it doesn't really seem air tight anyway. Doesn't seem that tight of a fit

The crankcase vents, doesn't it?

I've let it sit for months and it does the same thing. That's a long time to hold a vacuum or pressure or whatever in that little tube.

I don't have to wipe it off. It comes out clean with no oil anywhere on it. Reinsert and pull and it's about 1" from the bottom of the dipstick, at the full mark.

It would have to build pressure inside the dipstick tube somehow, I guess. I've never ever heard of or experienced that. I've checked fluids on a good amount of equipment and if anything, the first reading is overfull

 

[jaxs]

Until you said you didn't wipe before re-inserting I was going to suggest looking closer to see if oil has climbed stick by capillary action making stick look same top to end. I've had sticks appear overfilled but second insert revealed different.
To answer the question of pressure, just pull stick 1/8", re-seat then pull it.
Note to self ; don't buy used mower from jcross, it might be cursed.

 

[jcross312]

Until you said you didn't wipe before re-inserting I was going to suggest looking closer to see if oil has climbed stick by capillary action making stick look same top to end. I've had sticks appear overfilled but second insert revealed different.
To answer the question of pressure, just pull stick 1/8", re-seat then pull it.
Note to self ; don't buy used mower from jcross, it might be cursed.

Yeah, I was thinking of what you mentioned last night when I was telling this ghost story. I'll barely crack it and push it back to see if that makes it read full on the first pull

I've been pretty amazed by this 8th wonder of the world. It's like the statues that cry tears or something.

And no, I'm in good light when checking it and there is no oil on the stick. Perhaps a very, very small amount on the very bottom 1/16" when I pull it the 1st time

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I haven't heard of the phantom oil level situation before, but I'm new, so there's that...

Maybe check the breather vent is properly working after doing an Internet search to see if your situation is "normal.".

 

[Hoserman]

I could be wrong, but I was always taught to NOT look at the dipstick when you remove it, wipe it off, replace, remove and read. IMO, oil moves around and just pulling it out and checking the level may be giving you a false reading.

 

[jcross312]

I haven't heard of the phantom oil level situation before, but I'm new, so there's that...

Maybe check the breather vent is properly working after doing an Internet search to see if your situation is "normal.".

Sure doesn't seem normal, but as far as the mower itself, it works fine

 

[jcross312]

I could be wrong, but I was always taught to NOT look at the dipstick when you remove it, wipe it off, replace, remove and read. IMO, oil moves around and just pulling it out and checking the level may be giving you a false reading.

If something has been sitting overnight, or a couple days, usually the 1st pull is accurate. If you're new to the machine and want to be extra sure, wipe it and check again

I check oil on many different motors and if they've been sitting, the oil will show its level the first time

What I haven't seen, is NOT showing ANY oil the first time. It's just weird...

 

[RBsingl]

I haven't noticed this with my F2690 I purchased a couple of years ago but the yellow/tan dipstick is lousy for reading the level of this very clear fluid. The best way to see it is to get a light reflection from the fluid to show the level. It really needed holes in the dipstick to make the level show clearly OR I need to quit using clean fluid

Out of habit I always pull and wipe before reinserting to take a reading. But the first time I checked it when it was new I thought the level was off the bottom of the dipstick until I angled it to catch the light. I have never had that issue with a dipstick in any other equipment.

But I love the mower, it is fast and does a great job. Much more relaxing than mowing with my Deere 955 compact utility with its midmount mower and in this hot weather it is nice having the hot engine and radiator behind me blowing away instead of towards the operator position.

Rodger

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

I think the whole dip is covered in a fine layer of oil which is nearly invisible and it appears to be dry.
Once you wipe it off it and reinsert it shows the actual level.
If you have color vision issues it is even worse.

But there could be a ghost in the machine. A metaphysical reaction takes place that seperates the oil from the dipper after it sits un-used. Once you wipe it off all 'ghost' properties are squashed and the ghost is now in the wipe rag.

 

[jcross312]

It sounds ridiculous, preposterous, impossible, user error, etc,

But I swear it comes out dry, re-check, full

My vision is good, and I can clearly see the fluid the second dip. A rag never touches the dipstick

I'll make a video...

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Is that after the mower has been sitting for a few hours or after running it?

Sounds really weird. Maybe it is a singularity in the space-time continuum, same problem as missing 10mm sockets, odd gloves or odd socks

 

[jcross312]

Is that after the mower has been sitting for a few hours or after running it?

Sounds really weird. Maybe it is a singularity in the space-time continuum, same problem as missing 10mm sockets, odd gloves or odd socks

I meant to mention that. I always check it cold,

I mow about once a week with it and it's part of my pre-mow checklist. So it's sat all week waiting for me to check it again

At this point, I just check it to see if I'm going crazy or is this really happening

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Well, it is happening.

Only idea I have is that when the mower is running the oil accumulates in other parts of the drive, possibly through vacuum due to cooling oil and air and lack of venting. When you pull the dipstick this vacuum is removed and the oil flows down where it reaches the dipstick.

 

[whitetiger]

It is very common on the F series and B series units, as they have the same trans-axle assemblies.
With the unit running, the oil level drops below the dipstick tube opening, draining it. If the O-ring seals on the dipstick are sealing good, the dipstick tube is not vented, and the oil can not re-enter until the dipstick is removed. With it removed, oil can then enter the tube.
As stated, you never check a fluid level without withdrawing the dipstick, wiping it, reinserting it, removing it, and reading it.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

It is very common on the F series and B series units, as they have the same trans-axle assemblies.

Thank you for the explanation !

So there goes our opportunity to get a Kubota tractor into an episode of the X-Files ...

 

[imarobot]

I think you should leave the dipstick out enough so there is no seal and see if the oil shows after pulling the dipstick out.
I hope not, I still would like to see this be a supernatural phenomenon