GC1705 - Hydraulic Reservoir Overfill Question

[AxleHub]

It is illogical to claim that there is no difference in filling the hydraulic supply till it overflows or it is filled to the upper fill line.

Why is that illogical? Because they wouldn't install a site glass and have defined lower and upper fill marks if it didn't make a difference. A company doesn't spend the money and fully disclose it in manuals for no reason.

They could just do that same thing they do on the front axle fill levels. . . . But they don't. They could just say "fill till it reaches the top. . . . but they don't.

A site glass is more expensive than a dipstick . . . Yet they use a site glass instead.

Every indication by all the tractor companies is that there is a "right level" and a "wrong level" . . and they make it important enough so you can check it every day or more very quickly.

You don't overfill engine oil. . . Why would anyone say the hydro doesn't matter when all indicators by manufacturers is more important than engine oil.

 

[ray66v]

You are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Who said it's okay to fill it until it over flows? You clearly do have to have room for heat expansion, or it will blow out the vent.

How do you conclude a "site" glass is more expensive than a dip stick?

A sight glass with no clear marking on it, is conclusively not as accurate as a dip stick. That is a clear indication that this is not a critical level. No one said it doesn't matter. It's just not critical. As long as there is sufficient fluid to operate the system, and it doesn't overflow, it's going to work. The ideal level being half way in between, i.e. the recommended fill level shown by the sight glass.

 

[AxleHub]

Greetings Ray,

A site glass is definitely more expensive to offer than a dipstick. You increase the process of casting and the installation of the site glass itself. Site glasses I've seen all have lines on them for low and high mark. In addition a site glass allows you to see the color as well as the amount.

Now I didn't claim it was "critical". What I claimed is that hydro fluid level and condition is important enough that manufacturers spend money on its design and access that they don't spend on engine oil checking.

But if you read numerous responses on this thread, there is an implied message it isn't important and that if over filled to the very top, it's perfectly acceptable to allow it to stay that way.

TBN is a unique forum of people who have been operating for 50 or 60 years mixed in with people who have never operated a tractor and are trying to learn the most basic of info. I don't think users have to be critically fussy about everything, but I also don't think responders need to be lazy either.

You are a good source of info Ray, but some others use responses that are "lax" in accuracy or "lax" in recognizing the impression their opinions make on rookies or young operators.

Jmho

 

[edgarrian]

Axlehub makes a good point. Common sense isn't all that common sometimes. Id say a majority of people don't even think about changing rear end oil in their cars. Is it critical no probably not in most cases. I have been involved in a mustang forum where a guy was changing his oil and someone on the forum said to make sure you clean it out and get every last drop of old oil as u can. Well that individual took it to heart and used water. Not a smart idea. There are a lot of people that don't change oil, brakes or do anything to vehicles let along a possible tractor they are about to purchase to make life easier. Id say a majority thats buying a tractor has some mechanical skills but there are some that don't have any. So while u may overfill by a little bit. Yea not a big deal but all the way or almost full then siphon some out. **** some guys think when they overfill that they have to use the drain plug thus is why they are asking the question.

I can find myself reading a question at times and think... Really... Wow

 

[irvingj]

...Uh, Axle, that's a sight glass...

 

[daugen]

Rossn's Massey is a smaller newer version of my older MF/Iseki. I know the trans isn't pressurized
because I've opened the filler while it's running. Weren't we for years told we had to check the trans fluid level in our cars only while
the trans was running? Not on my tractor and funny, I'm overfilled a little too. In my experience, a little high hurts nothing. More than about a half inch above the line, I'd start getting my oil sucker out. I never try to drain from the bottom unless I have no other alternative or am changing the oil.

How many of us have dropped the bottom plug into the oil receptacle, going perplunk while all the oil or fluid is running out which you sure didn't want? It only took me once to get horrified doing that and making a huge mess. I love those little one to two gallon suckers.
There's a learning curve for all of us. And most of us are good in some areas and not so good in others.
I think the OP's question was a really good one. We all overfill at times and when is too much too much?

 

[daugen]

If the OP's tractor was close to 500 hours, or whatever the trans fluid change interval is, I'd
solve the issue by changing the oil...but OP's tractor is pretty new and likely to be low hour.

I can sure tell you that trans does NOT like to be run with low oil, not too much.
Got my tractor back from dealer after full service, tech did not tighten trans bolt...
which I discovered after coming back in and squirted the tractor down, getting engulfed in steam
and realizing the trans was cooking. Not good at all. So I added several quarts of fluid, stuff at Tractor Supply
works just fine, and now it runs normally. I dodged a big bullet. OP wants to know if the gun is loaded...

A sight glass only works if you can see the line. Otherwise all you know is it sure is full...
Like an idiot gauge on the dash, see oil? Must be ok...
OP is smarter than that :thumbsup:

 

[AxleHub]

...Uh, Axle, that's a sight glass...

Irving,

Can you tell I spend too much time around computers and their "sites" lol. ?

 

[irvingj]

No problem, common mistake... like "disk brakes" instead of "disc brakes". Blame pervasive, insidious technology jargon! (You ought to try teaching kids these days....!) :laughing:

 

[ray66v]

No problem, common mistake... like "disk brakes" instead of "disc brakes". Blame pervasive, insidious technology jargon! (You ought to try teaching kids these days....!) :laughing:

Are you putting disk breaks on that axel?