Oil & Fuel L3800HST fluid level

[sadie72]

My L3800 has a glass port to look through when checking the hydraulic fluid level. I'm use to checking fluid levels with dipsticks and not sure I see any fluid in the window. I see what looks like a yellow circular backdrop but not sure if that's the fluid or not. Want to make sure there isn't too much or too little SUDT in the tank.

Can anyone verify how well the fluid level shows up in your appature? Do you also have a yellow backdrop behind the glass?

I just put a new BH77 backhoe on and feel the fluid level may have dropped significantly while filling the cylinders with fluid...

 

[k0ua]

My L3800 has a glass port to look through when checking the hydraulic fluid level. I'm use to checking fluid levels with dipsticks and not sure I see any fluid in the window. I see what looks like a yellow circular backdrop but not sure if that's the fluid or not. Want to make sure there isn't too much or too little SUDT in the tank.

Can anyone verify how well the fluid level shows up in your appature? Do you also have a yellow backdrop behind the glass?

I just put a new BH77 backhoe on and feel the fluid level may have dropped significantly while filling the cylinders with fluid...

Yes the sight glass sucks..park on a level surface. with all implements down. Check level, it may be full and you cannot see anything. Now start tractor and raise front end loader and check again, and dump bucket and check again.. you should see a sight line now that more fluid is in the cylinders and not in the tank. If you still dont see anything, raise hoe, and check again. If you dont see anything, you are probably way low. Lower everything and put some in. Check again. Of course you can overfill, but if it if does not drop when the loader is raised and dumped, and you cannot see the fluid line then it is probably low. Mine was so high from the dealer you could not see any fluid line without raising 3pt, and FEL. hope this helps.

James K0UA

 

[teg]

Other option would be to drive it on an uneven slope (tilted) with the sight glass on the lower side... and see if the level shows.

 

[k0ua]

Other option would be to drive it on an uneven slope (tilted) with the sight glass on the lower side... and see if the level shows.

Teg wouldn't you need to have the sight glass on the uphill side of the slope?

James K0UA

 

[sadie72]

Still nothing. I put 2.5 gals of SUDT in with no change in the glass. Maybe its too full and the fluid just doesn't darken the viewing glass enough to see fluid. I haven't noticed any side effects with hydraulics on loader or BH.

I'm concerned because the dealer did take the 3PH valve apart to remedy the jerky motion a few weeks ago. Thinking maybe it didn't top off the holding tank?

Will call dealer tomorrow. Wish there was a dipstick.

Thanks for the help.

 

[teg]

Teg wouldn't you need to have the sight glass on the uphill side of the slope?

James K0UA

This is to see if the level was too low... basically, you need to do both until you find where the level is!

 

[teg]

Still nothing. I put 2.5 gals of SUDT in with no change in the glass.....

:shocked: I would not worry too much - the early models 2004-early 2006 models had a ratcheting cams for the PTO and to make them quieter, they raised the level of the oil to submerse the cams in oil.

 

[gwdixon]

The background of the sight glass is BRIGHT white. If it is appears yellowish or slightly brown then it is full or beyond full.

If you don't have a slope (and now that you've put more oil in), you could drain a several gallons or so into a clean container - maybe a 5 gallon bucket. The sight glass should be snow white. Then add the fluid back in until it is where you want.

With that much oil in it a slope probably won't help.

 

[sadie72]

I did the hill thing too, both sides. Must be overfilled.

What's the easiest way to remove and contain new fluid?

 

[k0ua]

This is to see if the level was too low... basically, you need to do both until you find where the level is!

Ah.. I see what you mean now.. but I am betting he was full to start with.

James K0UA