Jibber
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2003
- Messages
- 324
- Location
- RD-13, Putnam County, New York
- Tractor
- Kubota L3130HST 4WD, BX2350
Ever since I took delivery of my new Kubota 3130 this spring, my regular checks of Hydraulic oil level have been high. My brother, who sells truck bodies and heavy equipment and works with hydraulics quite a bit pointed out that I liked to shut down the tractor then let the loader bucket down by releasing the valve.. he said that was probably introducing AIR into the hydro system and hence the higher levels on the dipstick. He advised me that construction workers have always told him to Power the bucket down.. shut off the tractor.. then relieve static pressure on the valve by rotating the stick.
OK. Well, last week I accepted deliver of a Backhoe, the BH-90 which taps into Tractor hydraulics (not PTO). Anyway. My levels now vary widely. Brother Jack advises me that before I was taking my levels while the loader bucket was on the ground, but with a backhoe, it's almost certain that at least one of the pistons is going to be extended at any time during an oil check. Typically the dipperstick cylinder and possibly the bucket cylinder because I tuck both up close to the tractor before shutting down.
OK.. end of dissertation.
My question. How do you guys take your hydraulic readings? Do you try to close up all the cylinders on loader/Backhoe or whatever? In the Kubota books.. I see no reference to what position implements (even the 3pt) should be in when taking Hydraulic levels.. yet it has a pronounced effect on those readings.
also.. what about powering down hydraulics versus just relieving the pressure and letting the weight bring the bucket down to the ground. Is that putting air in the system.. and what kind of problems could that create?
Thanks ahead of time.. I don't know what I would do without these forums.. Dealers have been giving me conflicting answers..
OK. Well, last week I accepted deliver of a Backhoe, the BH-90 which taps into Tractor hydraulics (not PTO). Anyway. My levels now vary widely. Brother Jack advises me that before I was taking my levels while the loader bucket was on the ground, but with a backhoe, it's almost certain that at least one of the pistons is going to be extended at any time during an oil check. Typically the dipperstick cylinder and possibly the bucket cylinder because I tuck both up close to the tractor before shutting down.
OK.. end of dissertation.
My question. How do you guys take your hydraulic readings? Do you try to close up all the cylinders on loader/Backhoe or whatever? In the Kubota books.. I see no reference to what position implements (even the 3pt) should be in when taking Hydraulic levels.. yet it has a pronounced effect on those readings.
also.. what about powering down hydraulics versus just relieving the pressure and letting the weight bring the bucket down to the ground. Is that putting air in the system.. and what kind of problems could that create?
Thanks ahead of time.. I don't know what I would do without these forums.. Dealers have been giving me conflicting answers..