I have a new L3400 with about 20 hours on it. I can't tell if the fluid level is correct in the sight glass. Hard to tell if it's full or empty. Any other way to check the fluid level? I added a quart of fluid with not change. Don't want to add more if it's already full.
L3400 Can't see fluid in the Sight Glass
- Thread starter KPotts
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Might drive on a side slope to tilt the tractor to one side or the other until you can see the line of hydraulic fluid. Would help if you have some one to keep an eye on it or just start to tilting the tractor, stop and look.
Last edited:
Harvest Moon
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2007
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- 357
- Tractor
- Kubota L3400 HST-F
Make sure your 3pt is all the way down and your loader if you have one.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
I think he means the "line" of the top of the fluid. sometimes you can see this, sometimes you cant, depends on the slope the tractor is parked on, and like mentioned if the 3pt is up or down, and the loader up or down. It is likely your tractor is full. so fire it up, and raise the loader all the way and dump the bucket and take a look, and then raise the 3pt, to see if the level drops down to where you can see the "bubble" or "line". Remember the fluid is clear, and hard to see. The white backing is just that, a backing to try to make the "bubble" easier to see. I wish they had a dipstick, but they don't.
James K0UA
James K0UA
Chilly807
Elite Member
The level can be hard to determine, no question about it. If you are seeing fluid, it may be slightly aerated when you first shut the tractor off (tiny bubbles). Raising the loader fully and then checking is a good idea, mine usually has the level about halfway up the sight glass with the three point lowered and the FEL bucket on the floor.
If you still can't see the level, you can remove the drain plugs in the tranny, drain out fluid in clean pails and watch the sight glass as the fluid comes out. If a level doesn't appear, it may actually be low.
It's possible that the dealer didn't top up the system after installing the loader, which takes a fair bit of fluid.
Either over-full or low is not good, you've got some investigating ahead of you.
Sean
If you still can't see the level, you can remove the drain plugs in the tranny, drain out fluid in clean pails and watch the sight glass as the fluid comes out. If a level doesn't appear, it may actually be low.
It's possible that the dealer didn't top up the system after installing the loader, which takes a fair bit of fluid.
Either over-full or low is not good, you've got some investigating ahead of you.
Sean
General Lee
Veteran Member
Try the basics first. Lift your frOnt end with the loader and see if that changes the pitch enough to see if the fluid shows and if not park down hill and check that way.
gwdixon
Elite Member
The white background is very white. If the bubble has a yellowish look to it then it is over full.
You might try draining some fluid into a clean bucket to see if the white background changes color. It may take a gallon or two to tell. Then just add it back.
On the other hand, you could just change out the oil at 20 hours and call it your 50 hour change. Not much more contamination is going to happen in those next 30 hours.
You might try draining some fluid into a clean bucket to see if the white background changes color. It may take a gallon or two to tell. Then just add it back.
On the other hand, you could just change out the oil at 20 hours and call it your 50 hour change. Not much more contamination is going to happen in those next 30 hours.
Chilly807
Elite Member
This is what you should see...
The first pic has the tractor sitting slightly nose up hill, very white background, no fluid visible.
The second pic is with the tractor sitting perfectly level on a garage floor, with the proper fluid level.
It has to be pretty much dead level to get an accurate indication.
There's about 60 hours on the fluid in this one. Your's may be slightly paler in colour, but not a lot of difference.
Sean
The first pic has the tractor sitting slightly nose up hill, very white background, no fluid visible.
The second pic is with the tractor sitting perfectly level on a garage floor, with the proper fluid level.
It has to be pretty much dead level to get an accurate indication.
There's about 60 hours on the fluid in this one. Your's may be slightly paler in colour, but not a lot of difference.
Sean
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bullbreaker
Elite Member
Much good advise given here.When I first purchased my L3400 I could not see fluid level either.Dealer came back with a couple qt.s of correct fluid.All it needed was about 1 and 1/4 quarts and it marked halfway on site glass like in Chilly's/Sean's #2 picture.
Boone
Boone
