Another L3800 Question?

[bookemdano]

While lubing the HST zerks which seems to have cured my starting problem though only time
will tell, I came across this:

I've been under there dozens of times, but I don't remember this. Reason I'm asking, I had
it serviced last fall to include topping of the Tranny lube. Doing maintenance on it today,
it took nearly 3 gallon of UDT-2 to top it off. I was back under it looking for a leak and disn't
find one anywhere. This looks like some kind of pop off pressure relief valve on the tranny.
Is it supposed to be exposed like this? And could this be the reason I lost 3 gal of UDT-2?
I'd appreciate it if someone with a L3800 would check theirs and see if it's open and exposed
like this or if I'm missing something?
Thanks
Dano

 

[loggin]

While lubing the HST zerks which seems to have cured my starting problem though only time
will tell, I came across this:

I've been under there dozens of times, but I don't remember this. Reason I'm asking, I had
it serviced last fall to include topping of the Tranny lube. Doing maintenance on it today,
it took nearly 3 gallon of UDT-2 to top it off. I was back under it looking for a leak and disn't
find one anywhere. This looks like some kind of pop off pressure relief valve on the tranny.
Is it supposed to be exposed like this? And could this be the reason I lost 3 gal of UDT-2?
I'd appreciate it if someone with a L3800 would check theirs and see if it's open and exposed
like this or if I'm missing something?
Thanks
Dano

That is a drain for the clutch bell housing. It is there to allow condensation and oil to drain out. It should normally be dry but if you have an oil leak from either the transmission or the engine seals it will help keep oil from building up and contacting the dry clutch.

3 gallons of fluid is a lot to lose. Is that area wet with fluid?

 

[Smokeydog]

Is that the drain for the bell housing? Loose pin in fitting to keep the drain open. Engine oil from rear seal or transmission front seal. Or any water intrusion. Keeps the clutch dry.
Time for owners and shop manuals.

 

[bookemdano]

That is a drain for the clutch bell housing. It is there to allow condensation and oil to drain out. It should normally be dry but if you have an oil leak from either the transmission or the engine seals it will help keep oil from building up and contacting the dry clutch.

3 gallons of fluid is a lot to lose. Is that area wet with fluid?

That's just it, the ground where I park it is dry and so is the bottom of the
tractor. I'm beginning to think they didn't top it off last fall and I just thought
I checked this spring. We have had a wet spring and summer and we came
down with covid (and no, we are not jabbed and won't be either) and I didn't
do near the work I would normally have done. Last winter I used my BX2680 FEL
for what little snow I needed to remove. I'm beginning to think I was
charged for 7.5 gal of Super UDT2 and didn't get it. I hate to think that and I know
accidents happen but still?
Dano

 

[Smokeydog]

Ought to check fluids more often especially after service. Helps keep everyone honest and best health of YOUR tractor. 3 gallons is a significant loss over how many hours?

 

[bookemdano]

Ought to check fluids more often especially after service. Helps keep everyone honest and best health of YOUR tractor. 3 gallons is a significant loss over how many hours?

My L3800 only has 211.3 hours in it. Had it serviced at 175. So it's only had 36.3 hours
put on it since that.
Ordered a bottle of John Deere dye for hydraulic oil and I'll drain it then when I can see it in the
sight glass.
Dano

 

[old and tired]

...it took nearly 3 gallon of UDT-2 to top it off.

So I have to ask, did you fill the hydraulic tank up until it filled up to where you add the fuild?

 

[bookemdano]

So I have to ask, did you fill the hydraulic tank up until it filled up to where you add the fuild?

And poured out. Never saw the first indication of fluid in the sight window. When the dye
gets here, I'll drain a qt and then add the dye. Run it very gently down the drive and
back to mix the dye then drain it a qt at a time until it's registering correctly.
Dano

 

[ultrarunner]

The sight glass is a good idea but the reality is can be difficult to see even when at proper level.

Might have to order a bottle of dye.

Post if adding dye is worth it...

 

[bookemdano]

The sight glass is a good idea but the reality is can be difficult to see even when at proper level.

Might have to order a bottle of dye.

Post if adding dye is worth it...

I will.
Dano

 

[old and tired]

Post if adding dye is worth it...

Everyone says yes, it's worth it.

Only thing I would do differently with the dye is use less. I used half a bottle, 1/4 bottle would be enough to give it color to see.

 

[old and tired]

...Run it very gently down the drive and
back to mix the dye then drain it a qt at a time until it's registering correctly.
Dano

It will mix just fine, sitting there. I would NOT drive it around. The pumps will circulate the hydraulic oil at the rate of about 6-7 gallons per minute. I would be surprised if you need to even run it for that long to see the dye show up in the glass...

So you most likely will need to drain out (suck out) that 3 gallons you added.

I run my hydraulics with an extra gallon (or so) because there was a Product Improvement Bulletin where the early models of these "Standard" L's with ratching CAMS had their oil level elevated by 1.?? (something) gallons to submerge the CAMS in oil. That was Kubota engineers that came up with that solution. The sight glass was replaced with a dip stick to measure the higher level.

I don't think running extra oil is a problem - the size of the oil sump/tank is mainly to deal with cooling the oil. I lost 3 gallons and were still able to drive the tractor back to the house, with no problem.

 

[ultrarunner]

It will mix just fine, sitting there. I would NOT drive it around. The pumps will circulate the hydraulic oil at the rate of about 6-7 gallons per minute. I would be surprised if you need to even run it for that long to see the dye show up in the glass...

So you most likely will need to drain out (suck out) that 3 gallons you added.

I run my hydraulics with a extra gallon because there was a Product Improvement Bulletin where the early models of these "Standard" L's with ratching CAMS had their oil level elevated by 1.?? (something) gallons to submerge the CAMS in oil. That was Kubota engineers that came up with that solution. The sight glass was replaced with a dip stick to measure the higher level.

I don't think running extra oil is a problem - the size of the oil sump/tank is mainly to deal with cooling the oil. I lost 3 gallons and were still able to drive the tractor back to the house, with no problem.

If you have a sight glass older model how would you know the level of the extra gallon with the sight glass submerged?

 

[bookemdano]

It holds 7.26 gal and I figured there would be instructions as to how much to use.
If not, then a little goes a long way is always a good policy.
Dano

 

[old and tired]

If you have a sight glass older model how would you know the level of the extra gallon with the sight glass submerged?

If I see the bubble, I add another gallon. About to do that again since I noticed the bubble while on a side hill.

Plus (or minus) 1.5 gallons isn't a problem in my mind...

 

[bookemdano]

It will mix just fine, sitting there. I would NOT drive it around. The pumps will circulate the hydraulic oil at the rate of about 6-7 gallons per minute. I would be surprised if you need to even run it for that long to see the dye show up in the glass...

So you most likely will need to drain out (suck out) that 3 gallons you added.

I run my hydraulics with a extra gallon because there was a Product Improvement Bulletin where the early models of these "Standard" L's with ratching CAMS had their oil level elevated by 1.?? (something) gallons to submerge the CAMS in oil. That was Kubota engineers that came up with that solution. The sight glass was replaced with a dip stick to measure the higher level.

I don't think running extra oil is a problem - the size of the oil sump/tank is mainly to deal with cooling the oil. I lost 3 gallons and were still able to drive the tractor back to the house, with no problem.

Good advice. I'll do it that way and try drain out most of what I put in. Wish it had a
dip stick like my BX2680 has. Always did think that sight window wasn't the best
idea in the world.
Dano

 

[old and tired]

I would love to know how much oil is in the system (cylinders, filters and hoses) vs. just oil sitting in the tank. My guess would be less than a gallon.

 

[bookemdano]

If I see the bubble, I add another gallon. About to do that again since I noticed the bubble while on a side hill.

Plus (or minus) 1.5 gallons isn't a problem in my mind...

Thanks. I'll drain it till I can see a level in the window then slowly add fluid untl the
window is full. Sound about right?
Dano

 

[old and tired]

Thanks. I'll drain it till I can see a level in the window then slowly add fluid untl the
window is full. Sound about right?
Dano

That works

 

[bookemdano]

That works