I have a L3200 Kubota 4WD (standard transmission) - How much hydraulic oil do you have to add for it show in the sight glass? A hydraulic hose broke while working and I lost some oil. I replaced the hose and changed the transmission filter. I poured 2.5 gallons of the Kubota oil in about a liter at a time while checking the level. Never did see any oil level, so went back to town and bought another 2.5 gallons, adding a little at a time and still no oil. The tractor runs fine and hydraulics work, no leaks. The capacity is 7.3 gallons. I parked the tractor on a hill so it would lean towards the sight glass and I still see nothing. So do I keep adding a little oil and a time until I see something. I'm wondering how close to capacity you have to be for the oil to show in the window? I can't believe I lost that much oil. Thanks for any advice!
Hydraulic fluid level
- Thread starter BLCarena
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85Hokie
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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Are you sure you are not OVERfilled? Basically you have added 5 gallons?
I would park it the other way and see if by chance the oil level returns back in the site glass.
I would park it the other way and see if by chance the oil level returns back in the site glass.
BigG
Well-known member
Equipment
l2501, FEL, BB, Rotary cutter, rake,spreader, roller, etc. New Holland TL80 A
Since it it a standard tranny you can buy a oil dye to make it easier to see. John Deere sells a dye that will work. Or you could drain out the oil until you can see the white of the sight glass then have a helper watch the glass and stop when you can see it. It is very difficult to see the very slight color change.
I added 5 gallons. I wondered too if it was so full that I couldn't see an oil line in the window. I just see an off white circle. Good idea to park slanted the other direction and look. Or maybe drain some out and look for a line. I wish it had a dipstick. I still wonder what the amount of oil it taks for it to begin to show in the window. 4, 5 or 6 gallons?
When I wasn't sure how much was left in the case, I would remove the sight glass. If nothing came out, I'd add some until it dripped, reinstall the glass, and fill it to the proper level. Loader's gotta be down, 3ph down, and tractor on LEVEL ground (not semi-level, shop floor level) and at rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, engine OFF.
I wish I had a dime for each time I had to explain to folks that just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's empty....lot of times they'd come in with oil running out of the fill hole! That's a lot of wasted fluid. Remove sight window, let it drain until it stops draining, put it back in and it's usually within a quart or two.
On the 3200, the glass just unscrews. Lefty loosey righty tighty.
I wish I had a dime for each time I had to explain to folks that just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's empty....lot of times they'd come in with oil running out of the fill hole! That's a lot of wasted fluid. Remove sight window, let it drain until it stops draining, put it back in and it's usually within a quart or two.
On the 3200, the glass just unscrews. Lefty loosey righty tighty.
whitetiger
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Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
I just stick a 24" long brazing rod as a dipstick by inserting it down through the fill hole, mark the rod at the top of the fill opening. Pull out the rod, hold it up next to the case with the mark at the opening height. You can compare the fluid level on the rod to the window. That will get close.
Picture in that thread of the sight glass w dye
www.orangetractortalks.com
Clear Hydraulic Dye
Can the red dye that they add to diesel fuel be added to the hydraulic fluid with out causing problems? The site glass on my L2501 is just about useless because the oil appears to be clear. Wiping a dip stick, from a TL80A, on a brown paper bag does not always work well.
www.orangetractortalks.com
No problem seeing it... or using it 
If you unscrew the sight glass - you will know for sure if it's over filled!!!
If you unscrew the sight glass - you will know for sure if it's over filled!!! I removed the sight glass and sure enough, oil came out. When it quit running out I replaced the nut and everything is good. I learned that the background in the glass is really white, so now I know. I appreciate everyone's replies.
85Hokie
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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Not sure how much I drained. Unfortunately I was not prepared to catch the spill and lost at least a gallon or two. I was going to loosen the nut until I had a little oil leak out and tighten it back up but the nut came out and I lost some oil on the ground before I could get it plugged. That plug is not very convenient to get to with a wrench. I managed to catch about a 1/2 gallon. I was way overfilled. By the time I got the plug back in, the oil was about half way up the glass. I ran the tractor to put out some hay and now the window is covered again, so guess it's good.
My bad... I meant to highlight that possibility... I run my L2800 over the top of the sight glass.
There was a Product Improvement Bulletin to quiet the over ratcheting CAMS for the very early PTO cam. I think it was an extra 0.7 gallon to submerge them into the oil to keep them from making too much noise. So, it's just a big tank to house hydraulic fluid.