I've overfilled my hydraulics - advice please

[ragkar]

On my Case 580K I've had a couple leaks of hydraulic fluid so I decided to refill. I put in 5 gallons (21.5 gallon capacity) and the oil check window was still empty!
Today in bright sunlight I brought out a bright flashlight and found that the window wasn't empty, it was filled with light colored oil that I misstook for empty.
I drove the tractor on the road yesterday in this condition without noticing problems. Should I be trying to drain it?

 

[AKKAMAAN]

On my Case 580K I've had a couple leaks of hydraulic fluid so I decided to refill. I put in 5 gallons (21.5 gallon capacity) and the oil check window was still empty!
Today in bright sunlight I brought out a bright flashlight and found that the window wasn't empty, it was filled with light colored oil that I misstook for empty.
I drove the tractor on the road yesterday in this condition without noticing problems. Should I be trying to drain it?

With all you double acting cylinders retracted, you only need air space in tank, for volume increase from raised temperature plus eventual air foaming (bubbles from return line)....that should fine with about 5% air....if any double acting cylinder is extended.... retract carefully and slow, with fill cap off, and something to collect spill oil with....

 

[Oliver1655]

You can hook a hose to one of the remotes and place the other end in a hydraulic bucket (Preferably with a lid) tying/wiring it in place then shoot some oil out and check you level. Continue as needed. This is a fast and simple way to empty fluid from you reservoir. It is never a good thing to over fill your fluids.

 

[CharlieS]

I'd suggest checking with Case, or see what the manual says. We have an old 580B that the manual specifies fill to full level with all rams extended, which will result in an over full tank with rams retracted.
Manuals on all of our farm tractors have similar statements.

 

[ragkar]

Now that is good advice. The manual says to have the stabilizers lowered and the bucket and bh on the ground. But it doesn't say why. I never considered the volume of the rams.
I've ordered an oil sucker and I'm going to try to drain some with that. Others have just suggested removing the drain plug but I can imagine a disaster where I drop the plug and a couple gallons of oil spill before I can find it and clean it of dirt and screw it in.
One thing for the future, before checking the oil I'm going to let it cool and lower the stabilizers and buckets. And then I'll use a bright flashlight to check the oil window even though I'm parked in the sunshine.

I'll pass along another hint - when adding oil into the little hole like in the mower tractor transmission, use a turkey baster (spelling maybe bayster?)!

 

[ragkar]

I'll pass along the solution to my problem. I got an oil sucker and found that it was very slow work. But after draining three quarts of oil, I reached the nominal fill level a la the oil level window. If I had known how little it was overfilled, I wouldn't have worried.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

Put some red power steering or automatic transmission fluid in so you can see it in the sight glass...makes it a lot easier to see.

 

[CharlieS]

And for systems with a dipstick, pull the dipstick and clean/degrease well, shine it up with a little fine emery paper, steel wool etc, and spray with a high temp white paint. I've used this little trick for more years than i care to admit to, it really makes that clean oil easier to see.