L2501 Kubota compact tractor 25HP. Can't see the line on the sight glass...so I added some UDT... I added a half gallon at a time and then re-checked to look for the line...until it overflowed. At no point could I see the line on the sight glass! Now it is filled to just below the filler opening...so if I use my pinky as a dip stick there is about 3'4' of oil. If I drain some out I propbably still won't be able to see the line and so....is there a better way to determine how much UDT to add?
Kubota l2501
- Thread starter rhuffie
- Start date
I made a dip stick recently for when mine is at the right level. This is for a L2501DT gear drive so I don't know if you have a HST if it is different. From the top of that ledge inside the fill port area to level is 9-3/8 inches. I made a dipstick to check mine from a file type handle and a piece of 1/4" rod about 12" long. Then I checked it with it showing halfway up the sight glass and cut a grove around the dip stick at that point with a file.
Note this is only to check mine not left in there when running.
I would suggest maybe one of those old style kerosene siphons that you squeeze the bulb to start might let you get some out from the fill and not take the sight glass or drain plug out and make a mess.
Just a thought, I haven't overfilled mine to try it but it might be flexible enough for you to get between gears etc .
One other thing, just raising your 3pt or loader if you have one is enough to bring the level down in or out of the sight glass under normal circumstances when checking, Not with your obvious overfill. You need to get some out first. Under normal adding it never takes more than a qt or so to show in the glass.
Good luck,
Bill
Bill,
Thanks for the helpful reply! My L2501 is HST. What's your guess as to how overfilled the case is at this point? Should I drain out one gallon using the drain plug?? Two? Will the tractor get damaged if I run it overfilled like this...or if it is overfull by only a quart or two?
By your description of adding 1/2 gal at a time I would assume it is over full and needs to have some drained before use. That is why I suggested trying to siphon some out of the fill. You know what you added so I would shoot for removing that much to start. is it sitting level now?
There is a dye available to add to the oil thus rendering it more visible. I haven't used it. Let Google be your guide. Good luck.
I would first start by taking out what you have put in plus another half gallon. There is the real possibility that the sight glass was already submerged when you first looked. When I bought mine, there was only a very tiny bubble at the top of the glass. I really had a hard time seeing it on level ground. I thought it was empty. With the right side lower, it showed up just fine.
There are drill powered fluid transfer pumps you could use to suck it out. Pretty cheap.
There are drill powered fluid transfer pumps you could use to suck it out. Pretty cheap.
Similar tractor, similar problem…
www.orangetractortalks.com
Another L3800 problem, maybe?
While lubing the HST zerks which seems to have cured my starting problem though only time will tell, I came across this: I've been under there dozens of times, but I don't remember this. Reason I'm asking, I had it serviced last fall to include topping of the Tranny lube. Doing maintenance on...
www.orangetractortalks.com
You could get a tool to evacuate the oil out until you see a line in the sight glass.
No matter which method you use to remove the oil, have someone watch the glass so you can stop when the level can be seen. Or have your dog bark twice. 
The background of the sight glass is pure white. If it appears straw colored (any shade other than pure white) you are likely viewing the fluid. mine has a small bubble at top as someone else mentioned when level.. To be sure, i parked it on an incline (lower on right) and could see the line.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
My guess is you are 3 to 3.5 gallons over filled... get and use the dye. Read the thread link above!!
How hard (cost-wise) would it be for Kubota to sell hydraulic oil that is already Dyed???? Even if it's just slightly colored...
How hard (cost-wise) would it be for Kubota to sell hydraulic oil that is already Dyed???? Even if it's just slightly colored...
Right?!? Several engine oil companies do. Motul is red or green. Royal Purple is Purple. I bet they could find an orange dye. Lol.
Or at least a fill height plug you could loosen or take out like on the front axle? Worked with a lot of german equipment that had sight glasses in the gear boxes and they had a star shaped metal piece in the sight area. You could tell if it was dry or submerged just by looking at it.
So how did you make out with this? Were you able to siphon it back out without making a mess?
Bill
Found one for Kubota!
Dye oil hydraulic motor gear transmission.
Dyes for oils, lubricants, hydraulic fluid, gear and transmission fluids. Available in pints, quarts, gallons, blue, brown, green, orange, purple, red, fluorescent yellow/green. Mix ratio of 4 ounces of dye per 100 gallons of oil
www.sandybrae.com
Was this whole thread just a test by the OP? I was bored last night and was at tractorbynet and see the exact same thread and questions there. Never returned to either site to tell how he made out.
just wondering,
Bill
www.tractorbynet.com
just wondering,
Bill
L2501. Can't see line on sight glass...over filled!
L2501 Kubota compact tractor 25HP. Can't see the line on the sight glass...so I added some UDT... I added a half gallon at a time and then re-checked to look for the line...until it overflowed. At no point could I see the line on the sight glass! Now it is filled to just below the filler...
www.tractorbynet.com
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I just want to know how he/ she went about removing the excess. I topped up my hydraulic oil last night (it dropped after using a couple attachments) and thought about this thread. Just in case I overfilled it. LOL!!
I got it half way adding a pint at a time and called it good.
I got it half way adding a pint at a time and called it good.