Oil level inconsistant

[captmikem]

The hyd oil level on my MX 4800 never seems to stay the same, it shows nothing, quarter or half, and over full. Never consistent, and it does not matter if the loader is up, down, or half way.

I worry about it being over filled, but when it does not show on the sight glass for a few hours I worry about it being low… so I add a quart or half a gallon, pretty soon it is showing half or over.



Any ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Is the tractor perfectly level when you check the oil?

And I would think the level changes with oil temperature too.

 

[captmikem]

Is the tractor perfectly level when you check the oil?

And I would think the level changes with oil temperature too.

Yes, level. and it can be winter or summer, I would expect a slight change as the oil gets hot, but this is pretty radical.

 

[JonM]

hydrolix oil expanss a lot with heat

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

At refill measure the capacity that you put in per the specs, and don't sweat it.

Unless you have fluid leakage under the tractor...
Don't fix what isn't broken.

 

[captmikem]

At refill measure the capacity that you put in per the specs, and don't sweat it.

Unless you have fluid leakage under the tractor...
Don't fix what isn't broken.

That is my thought, there is never (well, occasionaaly a hose or fitting leak but usually just a drip that I fix quickly. But never any oil spots under the tractor when sitting and no oil trails when moving. Just hate to be under or over filled.

 

[InTheWoods]

Wouldn't the fluid level in the reservoir depend on the position of any hydraulic implements that are hooked up, including the 3PH?

 

[captmikem]

Wouldn't the fluid level in the reservoir depend on the position of any hydraulic implements that are hooked up, including the 3PH?

no, level stays the same with the 3p up or down, loader up or down, bucket rotated in or out.

 

[RCW]

no, level stays the same with the 3p up or down, loader up or down, bucket rotated in or out.

Just guessing, but possibly due to the geometry of the vessel/sump the fluid is in, I can see small variations in temp, etc. could/would change what you see in the sight glass.

As an example, my little BX takes about 3 gallons. The difference between off the dipstick and full is only about a quart + - - maybe 1.5 quarts.

The dipstick is in a narrow part of the sump. Little bit of fluid changes the level on the stick quite a lot.

Those sight glasses are often a problem for many owners.

I prefer a dipstick....

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Wouldn't the fluid level in the reservoir depend on the position of any hydraulic implements that are hooked up, including the 3PH?

Oil level does change with cylinder in or out. The rod displaces oil when in. But it may be too small to see.

In this case it is oil temperature. Thermal expansion of oil is way more than of the enclosure.

And position of the tractor has a huge impact. But you said it is perfectly level when you check it.