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.