The dipstick on the floorboards has had the rubber top part worn off. To pull it out I need to use pliers. The dealer told me if you push it in too far you will get an inaccurate reading. Does the rubber part tell it where to stop and without it I am pushing it in too far? I really don't want to spend $33 for a new one and I see aftermarket ones for much less. I could not find this dipstick on the parts diagram to match it with the aftermarket ones. Also, is the reading on the side window down below something else? Thank you!
L3400 transmission dipstick
- Thread starter fma1015
- Start date
The side window (sight glass) shows hydraulic fluid level.
In your position I would make a new knob.
Yes, if you get it wrong you would be checking oil at an incorrect level so you would need to calibrate the new dipstick.
If you change the oil/filter and put back in exactly the quantity shown in the manual then you will have the correct level and could set your stick in the new knob that way - other cal options come to mind.
I would not want to leave that hole open because stuff will get in there.
$33 seems cheaper than my idea but I would still do it.
In your position I would make a new knob.
Yes, if you get it wrong you would be checking oil at an incorrect level so you would need to calibrate the new dipstick.
If you change the oil/filter and put back in exactly the quantity shown in the manual then you will have the correct level and could set your stick in the new knob that way - other cal options come to mind.
I would not want to leave that hole open because stuff will get in there.
$33 seems cheaper than my idea but I would still do it.
Can you post of photo of the dip stick location that you are talking about?
I did not know the L3400 had one, I thought it was changed on the next model up-grade; L3700 and L3800 models. I assume you know the difference between the clear hydraulic fluid and the black engine oil dip sticks... So is the one you are talking about on the floor between your feet, under the steering wheel?
Yes, the sight glass on the side of the transmission is still good to go by... To make it easier to read, John Deere has red hydraulic dye (MT3668) that you can add (1/4 bottle is plenty) to see red instead of clear.
There was a very early model, Product Improvement Bulletin, of the L2800 & L3400 that if you complained about the rathching noise of the over-riding pto cams that the sight glass was removed and a dip stick was elevated and something like 1.8 gallons more of UTD2 was added to submerge the PTO Cams so that they would be under (submerged) in oil so they didn't make as much noise. Only talked to one person on this forum that had that done...
I did not know the L3400 had one, I thought it was changed on the next model up-grade; L3700 and L3800 models. I assume you know the difference between the clear hydraulic fluid and the black engine oil dip sticks... So is the one you are talking about on the floor between your feet, under the steering wheel?
Yes, the sight glass on the side of the transmission is still good to go by... To make it easier to read, John Deere has red hydraulic dye (MT3668) that you can add (1/4 bottle is plenty) to see red instead of clear.
There was a very early model, Product Improvement Bulletin, of the L2800 & L3400 that if you complained about the rathching noise of the over-riding pto cams that the sight glass was removed and a dip stick was elevated and something like 1.8 gallons more of UTD2 was added to submerge the PTO Cams so that they would be under (submerged) in oil so they didn't make as much noise. Only talked to one person on this forum that had that done...
