dipstick: where are the marks?

Woodcab · Dec 7, 2005

I recently did the 300 hr service on my TC40DA and when changing the hydralic oil I filled to where I thought was the right leval. The dip stick has 2 small holes about 3/4 inch apart and I assumed that one was the low mark and the other the full mark. My question is are these the right indicators, because the tractor only took about 7 gallons to reach full and the manual says it should take 9.6 gallons. I can't see any other marks on the dip stick.

The engine oil dip stick has similar holes and the 6+ quarts of oil landed right towards the top hole. Can someone please verify if I did this right, and do these tractors actually hold 9.6 gallons of hydraulic oil?

Thanks, Matt

dqdave1 · Dec 7, 2005

Double check your manual; my TC 29 holds 7.5 gallons if it is a hydro unit; it holds 9.6 gals if it is a gear unit. You will never get all the oil out of the drain plug as some will remain in coolers, lines etc. 7 gal. probaly filled it. Run it a while and recheck.

jinman · Dec 7, 2005

Woodcab, did you drain from both plugs? The Class III Boomers have two plugs. It sounds to me like you missed getting one of them. I seem to remember not taking the full 9.6 gallons, but not as far off as your 7 gallons. The two plugs is all I can think of that might have caused that much fluid to remain in the reservoir.

Woodcab · Dec 7, 2005

Jinman, Yes I got both plugs, one rear axle and one transmission. About 7 gallons is what drained out. I'm wondering about the marks on the dipstick. If they are correct then I don't know how 9.6 gallons is going in there? I just double checked the manual and it says H.S.T. transmission 9.6 gallon capacity. I just want to get this right so I don't break anything.

Thanks, Matt

jinman · Dec 8, 2005

Matt, I don't think you are doing anything wrong. I can't remember off the top of my head, but the two holes on the dipstick sounds right. If you replaced about the same amount of fluid you drained out, then I'm sure you have enough. I'm also guessing that your tractor was on level ground when you drained it. Was the fluid warm?

There will be residual fluid in the hydro transmission, cooler, HST and hydraulic filters (if you didn't change them too), the FEL, the 3PH internal cylinder, and the plumbing to the hydraulic pump and HST. I would guess that total amount to be about 1 gallon, so now you are down to 8.6 gallons. I'm not sure why you only needed 7 gallons to refill. If that matches the quantity you drained out, I would not worry at all. I guess it's possible that you have the wrong dipstick, but that seems very doubtful. You are using the one on top of the rockshaft with the yellow plastic cap aren't you? It does seem to me that you should be able to get another gallon in there. I'd just say you should run it for awhile and recheck the dipstick to ensure all voids are filled.

RickB · Dec 8, 2005

I have read a bunch of NH manuals, and I trust the marks on a dipstick more than what some intern decided to publish in an operator's manual.

Woodcab · Dec 8, 2005

Thanks guys, I'm thinking that I'm OK. I'll keep a close eye on the level for a while. I'm sure I can get more oil in there, but isn't over filling a bad thing too? I did change the filters and the tractor was warm and on level ground when I drained it. I'm thinking the manual may be wrong or somehow some of the oil did not drain out?