Best Way to Get Hydraulic Fluid into Tractor?

[Suburban Plowboy]

I have not confronted the task of filling the tractor yet. I had to put it back together first. Today I changed the oil, because about half of it ran out when the front cover was cracked, and I put the radiator and battery shelf back on. Instead of replacing the hydraulic fluid, I topped off the fluid already in the tractor. It seemed like a good idea to make sure the tractor was okay before putting $450 worth of fluid and filters into the project.

Very exciting to see the tractor running again. I have really missed those hydraulics. They cost me $300, because I had to hire a rollback truck to get the tractor to the dealer and back with the FEL on the ground.

Thanks for all the ideas. Based on the effort of putting almost two gallons of cheap Tractor Supply fluid in the tractor today, I don't think filling the system from zero will be all that bad.

 

[bgr]

One of the trumpet style funnels from the auto parts store will fit most trans fill openings. You can pour from the spout on the 5 gallon into it. If te funnel won't reach, put some clear plastic hose on to extend it.

You don't end up with a pump and hoses full of oil after you are finished. Pumps are nice, but they leak oil when shut off and you have to have a place to store it while oil drains out.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I have a funnel like that, and it worked well today. The tractor has a hook that holds the upper link from the 3-point hitch, and I was able to use it to hold the funnel in place while I poured. This is a steel funnel with a steel tube that will hold any shape you give it, so I bent it so the nozzle fit in the fill hole.

 

[chim]

Like some others here I first pour from the 5 gallon container to a smaller one and use a funnel for filling. Recently I bought a pan at Home Depot for draining. Works better than trying to swap out small containers while the fluids are draining. The large size makes it suitable for catching fluids that don't fall straight down.

Plasgad 20.9-Gal Black Large PVC Concrete Mixing Tub 887102C - The Home Depot

This multi-purpose Large Concrete Mixing Tub features a heavy-duty PVC material. The material allows it to withstand mixing of heavy materials such as concrete, grout or mortar for masonry. It has a large

www.homedepot.com

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

That looks like a brilliant idea. I have what is probably a 5-gallon pan, which is a lot better than the little ones I used to use.

 

[jjeff]

I cut the bottom section off an old unperforated 55gal drum for catching drain oil. Good idea using a mortar mixing tub though.

 

[bigtiller]

Like some others here I first pour from the 5 gallon container to a smaller one and use a funnel for filling. Recently I bought a pan at Home Depot for draining. Works better than trying to swap out small containers while the fluids are draining. The large size makes it suitable for catching fluids that don't fall straight down.

Plasgad 20.9-Gal Black Large PVC Concrete Mixing Tub 887102C - The Home Depot

This multi-purpose Large Concrete Mixing Tub features a heavy-duty PVC material. The material allows it to withstand mixing of heavy materials such as concrete, grout or mortar for masonry. It has a large

www.homedepot.com

I bought one of those tubs but I couldn't come up with a good place to store it.
Eventually, I put it in the trunk of our Chevy Malibu. We like it there. It keeps groceries and other purchases from rolling around until we get home.

 

[crashz]

Made this awhile back with an old gate valve and hose. I used to run antifreeze thru boats to winterize. Easy to dump a five gallon pail into it when empty, plus it was nothing to make.

Funny enough, the Chinese restaurant (takeout only) that we go to has their duck sauce in rig just like this! Help yourself!

 

[jjeff]

Funny enough, the Chinese restaurant (takeout only) that we go to has their duck sauce in rig just like this! Help yourself!

Lol could you imagine trying to pour sauce out of a five gallon bucket into a Dixie cup. I got the idea from an old now deceased marine mechanic.