Case 580e -where do I add hydraulic fluid?

Forger · Dec 19, 2013

I know this tractor doesn't really fit into this forum, but since I'm alway a member I thought I would ask. I just picked up a 580e and don't have manuals yet, does anyone here know where to check/add hydraulic fluid?
thanks, Bob

Heywood Jannockitov · Dec 19, 2013

Right-hand side adjacent to the fuel tank on top of the cowl. You'll see a cap that when you unscrew, will have a long dipstick attached. Your shuttle and transaxle are separate. This reservoir is for loader and hoe. Power shuttle is checked with a dipstick (oil must be at operating temp and with engine running at low idle. Transaxle oil level is checked under a plate on the floor in front of the transmission shifter. You are getting yourself a service/maint manual, right?

Forger · Dec 19, 2013

thank you Heywood! I did think that might be the cap but was unsure. I posted the question, took the dog for a walk and came back to find this extremely helpful answer and more!
I may not have to get a manual now that I found you! Actually yes I want to download one from trade-it but I need a better internet connection before I do. I originally thought I might have to replace the belleville spring in the forward clutch, but yesterday as I was checking fluids I discovered the shuttle was at least 2 quarts low, I've been adding to it slowly and checking like you described, and it's now at least showing on the dipstick. I think the previous owner was checking it when warm, but not running because that did indicate on the dipstick. I'm hoping that solves the issue of it slowing down in forward when warm.

Heywood Jannockitov · Dec 19, 2013

Bob, this should help. Mine is a 1986 580 Super E, cummins 4bt, 2wd.
Good luck! Great machines

Forger · Dec 19, 2013

well I just went out to check the hydraulic fluid and that cap just lifts out, it has a rubber plug that loosely sits in the hole but no dipstick attached. I don't suppose you could tell me how wide the dipstick should be and the distance from the cap to the full and add marks? I don't know why the tractor is this way, it's the same thing with the engine oil dipstick, it's been replaced with a dipstick heater so no idea if the level is right.

Heywood Jannockitov · Dec 19, 2013

If the dipstick heater is acting as a dipstick, now that you know the engine oil capacity (assuming Cummins 4BT non-turbo), do an oil change with filter, use the exact amt specified, run the engine until warm, shut off and let sit for 5 minutes. Check the oil level on the dipstick heater and scribe a mark on it where the oil level is. The missing dipstick on the hydraulic tank may not be a huge deal. It is simply a large reservoir and there is probably not a lot of harm if it is overfilled anyway(?) That is just an uneducated guess on my part though. The dipstick on mine if I recall is about 2 feet long with the add to fill marks being (from memory) maybe an inch apart. I can check when I get home from work.

Forger · Dec 19, 2013

That would be great if you could measure for me. I stuck a metal strip down it as far as it would go, 42.5 inches and the fluid, a murky yellow, was only up 10 inches. Seems like a lot of wasted space there unless it expands when hot or it's low. Previous owner said he used Napa Hydraulic Fluid, I got travellers premium universal tractor trans hydraulic fluid, there shouldn't be a problem with adding mine to the existing fluid should there?

Heywood Jannockitov · Dec 19, 2013

I'll certainly do that for you. I'll measure the distance from the bottom of the cap to the full mark on the dipstick. I'll take a pic if it is not too dark by the time I get home. Any good trans-hydraulic fluid would be fine. The tank is huge probably to accommodate all the displaced fluid that has to move in and out of all the rather large hyd. cylinders on the machine as they are being operated. Case TCH fluid is called for (Torque Converter Hydraulic fluid) which I believe is the same as any good trans hydraulic fluid. John Deere HyGard would work too, but it ain't cheap. If you had a suction pump or a MityVac, maybe I would suck out the old stuff as much as I could from the tank, then refill with new stuff.

Heywood Jannockitov · Dec 19, 2013

OK, here are some pics.

So, the Hydraulic tank dipstick is 20.5 inches long with the full mark about 15.5 inches below the cap. It says right on the dipstick: "3.8 litres or 1 US gallon between the ADD and FULL marks. Do not Overfill"

I forgot to take a picture of the eng oil dipstick. I can do that too if you want, but I won't have time until tomorrow.

Hope that helps!

Forger · Dec 19, 2013

oh that most definitely helps. Thank you. I'm considerably low. I'll make a workable dipstick that will get me by until I can find a replacement. If you can do the same thing with the engine oil then I can mark my heater dip stick. It looks cold there, I'm in northern arizona and expecting a little snow tonight but nothing like the temps you get.

Heywood Jannockitov · Dec 19, 2013

Ok, I'll get you a pic tomorrow after work. We got a bit of a break from the cold today, about +3 C today. Freezing rain and snow on the way - supposed to be some storm front heading our way from Texas! That's a switch. :confused2:

Forger · Dec 19, 2013

You know it's got to be the mother of all storms if it was born in texas, you best seek out shelter now. I just poured about 3.5 gallons into that reservoir and it is still about 2 inches below the add mark. I also added about another quart to the shuttle and I think the slipping stopped, at least in 1rst and 2nd, which makes me wonder... can you be in 3rd and pull up a small incline in dirt, something like up out of the ditch that might be along side a road, or is 3rd and 4th more for level ground?

Heywood Jannockitov · Dec 20, 2013

Forger said:
You know it's got to be the mother of all storms if it was born in texas, you best seek out shelter now. I just poured about 3.5 gallons into that reservoir and it is still about 2 inches below the add mark. I also added about another quart to the shuttle and I think the slipping stopped, at least in 1rst and 2nd, which makes me wonder... can you be in 3rd and pull up a small incline in dirt, something like up out of the ditch that might be along side a road, or is 3rd and 4th more for level ground?

Yeah, supposedly an ice storm on the way. Got to go fill up a couple more gas cans for the genny.

I rarely use 3rd gear and 4th, forget it. But I think my TC is on its last legs. 1st and 2nd gear are OK. Mine was an ex-township unit so probably saw a lot of road use. Back tires were like slicks! All I've done to it is new back tires, brakes and some new hydraulic lines here and there as needed. The 4BT runs like a top. I don't think I could go up a ditch in 3rd, at least I'm sure it would be a struggle.

Ok, took a couple of pictures before heading to work. They're not great, but anyway, the engine oil dipstick is about 13 3/8 inches long. The gap between FULL and ADD is only 1/4 inch. The full mark is about 10 1/4 inches below bottom edge of the metal cap of the dipstick. Now you can probably add a quarter inch to this measurement as the cap would fit over the dipstick tube by about that much when fully seated.

Forger · Dec 20, 2013

My severe winter storm left just a dusting of snow, I'm not complaining. Thank you for the info, I'm sure the engine oil will be low as well and when I get books I'll be changing it. This is interesting about the tc. As I was filling the shuttle yesterday suddenly the engine slightly changed it's rpm, I think it slowed down. If my shuttle was very low, would that starve the tc and cause slipping, remedied by filling it up to proper level?

Heywood Jannockitov · Dec 20, 2013

Forger said:
This is interesting about the tc. As I was filling the shuttle yesterday suddenly the engine slightly changed it's rpm, I think it slowed down. If my shuttle was very low, would that starve the tc and cause slipping, remedied by filling it up to proper level?

That definitely makes sense. I'm sure the old stuff that was in there has undoubtedly lost most of its viscosity and shear strength compared to new TCH fluid. You got me thinking now... maybe I'll drain and refill mine come the spring, it's too cold here now and I don't use it in the winter anyway!

AC Mack · Jul 20, 2019

Hi, I'm new to the group with the same question about my late model 580C. The reason I'm asking the same question is that the top right corner om my 580C has a hole but the fitting in it does not have a dipstick and does not appear to be a fill point. I also have a fitting on the left side of the tractor which looks alot like an oil fill port. Maybe the later series 580C had a different fill port?