Oil & Fuel GC Series Hydro Fluid Sight Glass and Level

[Buzzlink]

New owner of a GC1710. I absolutely could not detect the hydraulic fluid level thru the sight glass after new delivery. So I figured it was either full or low. So, I went down to the relatively close dealer to get their opinion.

They explained that the fluid was so clear as to make level detection hard, and to add a small amount, to see if the level came up. When I did this, I immediately noticed a "cardboard" looking float appear, so I figured I was low on fluid. I filled it so the "float" was at the halfway point of the sight glass, about a pint.

After the next use, about an hour, I parked it, and left it set overnight. The next morning, I could see no trace of fluid level again.

So, two questions - do I potentially have a leak? I see no evidence of one. Or, do the hydraulics "use" fluid normally (I.e., when connecting and disconnecting hoses)? Only experience I have with hydraulics is a 5 ton bottle jack.

Thanks for any answers or opinions regarding this.

 

[atsah]

Are you parking the tractor with the loader on the ground and all pistons in the closed position. No they do not use hydro fluid, the level shouldn't change after using the tractor. My sight glass always shows 3/4 full when parked.

 

[Buzzlink]

Are you parking the tractor with the loader on the ground and all pistons in the closed position. No they do not use hydro fluid, the level shouldn't change after using the tractor. My sight glass always shows 3/4 full when parked.

Thanks for the reply - right now I only have a front mount snowblower running off mid pto. I always lower it when parked. What do you mean by "pistons in closed position"?

 

[atsah]

Thanks for the reply - right now I only have a front mount snowblower running off mid pto. I always lower it when parked. What do you mean by "pistons in closed position"?

I meant if you had a loader attached.. It is parked on level ground correct? Your level might be a bit low, it doesn't take much to overfill though.

 

[WranglerX]

I had problem of not being able to see hydraulic oil in sight glass (because it was clear) in my first "inspection" after taking delivery of my 1715... Got a length of soft iron wire (tie/bailing) and formed a small loop in end (maybe 1/16) and gently probed it down filler approximate same length as path of filler neck top to supposed oil level... Came out with oil on dip stick and I surmised it was full to above sight glass....

Wish they would put a dye in hydraulic oil like red diesel so you can actually see something....

Dale

 

[atsah]

I had problem of not being able to see hydraulic oil in sight glass (because it was clear) in my first "inspection" after taking delivery of my 1715... Got a length of soft iron wire (tie/bailing) and formed a small loop in end (maybe 1/16) and gently probed it down filler approximate same length as path of filler neck top to supposed oil level... Came out with oil on dip stick and I surmised it was full to above sight glass....

Wish they would put a dye in hydraulic oil like red diesel so you can actually see something....

Dale

That's strange, I changed out my hydro fluid last spring and when I refilled it I could see the new fluid in the sight glass no problem..

 

[Buzzlink]

I had problem of not being able to see hydraulic oil in sight glass (because it was clear) in my first "inspection" after taking delivery of my 1715... Got a length of soft iron wire (tie/bailing) and formed a small loop in end (maybe 1/16) and gently probed it down filler approximate same length as path of filler neck top to supposed oil level... Came out with oil on dip stick and I surmised it was full to above sight glass....

Wish they would put a dye in hydraulic oil like red diesel so you can actually see something....

Dale

Do either you or Ansah have the float I described as cardboard like visible in the sight glass. Again, when I first fill it, I see the float. Then the next time I check, I don't see either a fluid level or the float. I think I will try the "homemade" dipstick you suggest. Thanks.

 

[Buzzlink]

Do either you or Ansah have the float I described as cardboard like visible in the sight glass. Again, when I first fill it, I see the float. Then the next time I check, I don't see either a fluid level or the float. I think I will try the "homemade" dipstick you suggest. Thanks.

I meant atsah, sorry.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

There is definitely not a "float" in mine, and I do not believe there should be in yours. Assuming the tractor comes back to the same spot and is left in the see way as when you topped off the fluid, the level should comes back to the same. If you added or removed an attachment, loader or backhoe, or all the cylinders were not in the same location, you'll get some variation. Was it warm when you topped it off? Could it just be warm vs cool level?

 

[Buzzlink]

There is definitely not a "float" in mine, and I do not believe there should be in yours. Assuming the tractor comes back to the same spot and is left in the see way as when you topped off the fluid, the level should comes back to the same. If you added or removed an attachment, loader or backhoe, or all the cylinders were not in the same location, you'll get some variation. Was it warm when you topped it off? Could it just be warm vs cool level?

I'm thinking there's something strange with the float I'm seeing. The fluid level has always been checked cold. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. My goal is peace of mind that my fluid level is OK.

 

[Snobdds]

John Deere Lubricants - JOHN DEERE #MT3668 HYDRAULIC OIL DYE

Put in some dye to check fluid if you so choose...

 

[Buzzlink]

John Deere Lubricants - JOHN DEERE #MT3668 HYDRAULIC OIL DYE

Put in some dye to check fluid if you so choose...

Didn't know they made such a thing. I'll try it. Thanks. Like others have said, why don't they manufacture it dyed.

 

[cdaigle430]

New owner of a GC1710. I absolutely could not detect the hydraulic fluid level thru the sight glass after new delivery. So I figured it was either full or low. So, I went down to the relatively close dealer to get their opinion.

They explained that the fluid was so clear as to make level detection hard, and to add a small amount, to see if the level came up. When I did this, I immediately noticed a "cardboard" looking float appear, so I figured I was low on fluid. I filled it so the "float" was at the halfway point of the sight glass, about a pint.

After the next use, about an hour, I parked it, and left it set overnight. The next morning, I could see no trace of fluid level again.

So, two questions - do I potentially have a leak? I see no evidence of one. Or, do the hydraulics "use" fluid normally (I.e., when connecting and disconnecting hoses)? Only experience I have with hydraulics is a 5 ton bottle jack.

Thanks for any answers or opinions regarding this.

I would just make sure you can see the fluid level in the sight glass before each use. If its new it may take a few times for the air to completely come out of the system. If you had leaks you would know tight away-if engines running it will squirt all over the place. If you parked it and could not see the fluid level overnight and no puddle on the ground then it was just air in the system.

 

[atsah]

I have nothing in the sight glass, the fluid level is visible at 3/4 but no float in there at all..

 

[coldsteelva]

There is not supposed to be a float. Behind the clear lens part of the sight glass should be a white background (perhaps what you thought was a cardboard float). The white portion is marked with a LOW and a HIGH mark. If you do not have the white background in place - you may need a new sight glass - and you need to get the foreign object out of your housing. The part number is: 3606585M1

 

[Buzzlink]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Coldsteelva: I definitely haven't noticed a "hi/Low" mark thru the glass. Will have to look closer. The tractor is brand new, so any foreign object was "manufactured" in there. Maybe I need a brighter flashlight. Cdaigle430: This is what I'm doing so far (used only three times). I need to add about 8 oz. each time to make level visible. I guess if I can see the level after adding, then it's not over full. All great info from everyone. Thanks again.

 

[WranglerX]

From reading several different posts there seems to be two different sight glasses on the GC 1705 to 1720 series one with no markings and one with high and low lines etch in glass....

Seems to me of you can see oil level in glass or its above glass but not puking it out the filler things should be ok....

Still like idea of dye in oil....

Dale

 

[atsah]

Buzz, can you take a picture of the glass?

 

[Buzzlink]

OK, now the last of the story: My naïveté told me the manufacturer or at least dealer prep would have all the fluids at the proper level. WRONG!After sneaking up on the level by adding small amounts (for fear of overfilling), and after reading everyones comments, I kept adding fluid until it stayed showing in the glass. After 3/4 of a gallon, and just using it for an hour, all is well. Thanks again everyone. Great forum.

 

[WranglerX]

You trust your dealer?..... This is why I did complete check of all fluids and such when taking delivery.... Oddly enough I knew more about tractor from reading MF sales brochures than salesman did when he delivered tractor, actually he was not even aware of the 1715 model when they had a 1705, 1710, and 1720 on their lot....

I am going to mark all drain plugs and filters (screens) so when it goes in for service it gets at least recommended service that is written in manual... Have to admit its first time dealing with "tractor" shop, if its like most auto and truck dealers I probably will not trust them to do it ever again....

Dale