L4400 hydraulic sight window hydraulic fluid level check
- Thread starter kubota4me
- Start date
Gem99ultra
Veteran Member
I don't have a picture for you, but it's on the left side of the center hump about mid way. It's recessed in a 1" or so cutout, and you'll have to bend over to see the sight glass. Even then, at least on mine, the fluid is so clear that it blends with the glass so much that the level is pretty much invisible.
Best place to check the level I've found is on the rear. Down finger deep is good enough...
Best place to check the level I've found is on the rear. Down finger deep is good enough...
KennyV
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2004
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- 2,582
- Tractor
- Kubota L4200 GSTCA
Having some trouble getting a picture & a comment to upload...
Let's try thistime...
Your's should be like my L4200... in this picture you can see it, just below the lowest link of the small chain attached to the top link pin... it appears like a white circle in this picture..
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I see what you mean about hardly being able to see the hydraulic fluid. Your picture helped me greatly. If you can't see the line because the fluid is invisible, then what. How much fluid would you add? I think you can get too much fluid in there, can't you?
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Here is what you need to do. Make sure the tractor is level front to back and side to side.
Place bucket level on the ground, and 3pt down.. Check sight glass with bright flashlight Look for a possible bubble at the top.. If you see nothing, proceed as follows.
Start tractor, make sure brake is set and out of gear so it does not run you over as your are kneeling in an unsafe place.
It is best to have someone else operate these controls while you keep your eye glued to the sight glass.
Raise loader all the way up, and dump bucket all the way..note if you start to see the fluid line appear, if not raise the 3pt also. Now look. If you still cannot see it, lower everything back down, and add some fluid quart at a time, and check on the theory that the fluid level was always below the bottom of the sight glass and should start appearing from the bottom up. If this doesn't work add another quart. If it runs out of the fill port, clean up the mess and drain some out until you can see the line at the top of the sight glass when all implements and FEL is lowered and level.
Second option. Go to the John Deere dealership and get some of their hydraulic fluid dye designed to pour into your hydraulic fluid. Don't worry it will work fine with your Kubota too. Now your fluid will be red. Operate the 3pt and your loader several times to mix it. Look at the sight glass, If it is red, then the fluid level is high, with all the implements down and level bucket. If it is still white, add fluid until you see the red fluid come up the sight glass to near the top. Done. Below is the JD part number.
Part Number: MT3668
Part Price: 3.91 USD
Description: FLUID, HYDRAULIC OIL DYE
Place bucket level on the ground, and 3pt down.. Check sight glass with bright flashlight Look for a possible bubble at the top.. If you see nothing, proceed as follows.
Start tractor, make sure brake is set and out of gear so it does not run you over as your are kneeling in an unsafe place.
It is best to have someone else operate these controls while you keep your eye glued to the sight glass.
Raise loader all the way up, and dump bucket all the way..note if you start to see the fluid line appear, if not raise the 3pt also. Now look. If you still cannot see it, lower everything back down, and add some fluid quart at a time, and check on the theory that the fluid level was always below the bottom of the sight glass and should start appearing from the bottom up. If this doesn't work add another quart. If it runs out of the fill port, clean up the mess and drain some out until you can see the line at the top of the sight glass when all implements and FEL is lowered and level.
Second option. Go to the John Deere dealership and get some of their hydraulic fluid dye designed to pour into your hydraulic fluid. Don't worry it will work fine with your Kubota too. Now your fluid will be red. Operate the 3pt and your loader several times to mix it. Look at the sight glass, If it is red, then the fluid level is high, with all the implements down and level bucket. If it is still white, add fluid until you see the red fluid come up the sight glass to near the top. Done. Below is the JD part number.
Part Number: MT3668
Part Price: 3.91 USD
Description: FLUID, HYDRAULIC OIL DYE
Chilly807
Elite Member
I knew if I kept reading I'd learn something today! Thanks James..
Sean
Sean
k0ua
Epic Contributor
No problem Sean. Who ever designed that sight glass and where they placed it was a bad bad man. A dipstick would have went a long way to improving that situation, and I cannot see how it would have cost a whole lot more.