Seeing SUDT2 on Dipstick

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
2,124
1,244
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Near Lancaster, PA, USA
When I did the service on my tractor Friday, I was having trouble seeing the fluid on the stick. Typical. I did the brown paper trick before but thought I'd try something different today. A minute or two with some sandpaper on the dipstick created a roughened surface that made it easier to see the nearly-clear oil. Couldn't get a picture to do it justice.
 
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ejb11235

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Equipment
BX23S, Braber BBR4G 4' Box Blade & LRM5G 5' landscape rake
Jan 20, 2022
452
327
63
Seattle, WA, USA
When I did the service on my tractor Friday, I was having trouble seeing the fluid on the stick. Typical. I did the brown paper trick before but thought I'd try something different today. A minute or two with some sandpaper on the dipstick created a roughened surface that made it easier to see the nearly-clear oil. Couldn't get a picture to do it justice.
What grit did you use?
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
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Charlottesville
The Canadian guy on Youtube in Cluttered Garage says to use a paper towel. Just lay the dipstick on the paper towel to see where the oil soaks in.
 
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Roadworthy

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Lifetime Member

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L2501 HST
Aug 17, 2019
1,649
526
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Benton City, WA
I don't have a dipstick. I have the sight glass. I use John Deere hydraulic fluid dye. A little goes a long way.
 
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RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,161
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Chenango County, NY
Chim - that’s a good idea.

Seems like both too little and too much light makes it really hard to see.
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,783
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North of Pittsburgh PA
When I did the service on my tractor Friday, I was having trouble seeing the fluid on the stick. Typical. I did the brown paper trick before but thought I'd try something different today. A minute or two with some sandpaper on the dipstick created a roughened surface that made it easier to see the nearly-clear oil. Couldn't get a picture to do it justice.
How does scratching up the dip stick surface help? I assume because the rough surface holds more oil, so it is easier to see? Maybe changes the effective diameter of the oil film?

Puzzled but success proves the point that it works.
 

69 SS

Member

Equipment
2015 L3901 HST,with Canopy,LA 525 FEL with SSQA bucket
Sep 26, 2015
103
21
18
Ft. Inn sc
400 hr thing is here,was just thinking about this topic,I just can't see fluid level on dipstick anymore. For sure will do the sandpaper thing. 2015 L 3901 HST . Will also try the shop towel thing. Good luck to all on your projects.