Oil & Fuel Hydraulic checking - How To

[homerjsimpson137]

Have a Kubota L3200 and am confused about checking hydraulic fluid level. If I add fluid to where it is at an acceptable level in the viewing window glass, then I raise or lower the front end loader or perform any hydraulic use, the fluid level changes in the window. My question is when should I check the fluid level in the window, while the Front End Loader is up or when its down because the fluid level in the window differs when the FEL is up or down.

 

[TwiceStroked]

Rams collapsed.
If rams extended you fill the first time You drop it, it will spooge all over.
Don't piss Ur money away.

 

[homerjsimpson137]

Sorry but a bit confused. When you say rams, I take it youæ±*e talking about hydraulic cylinders, right? So I check fluid level when All the cylinders are extended or retracted?
My thought is that when all hydraulic cylinders are retracted is when the hydraulic reservoir level should be at its acceptable level, am I correct or is it the opposite? The last thing I want is to overfill?

 

[TwiceStroked]

Retracted (min chrome exposed).
Max fluid is returned to res.
I like middle to 2/3 of glass sight for quick visual, as the lens tend to get foggy and hard to tell as it ages.
Mike

 

[TwiceStroked]

P.S. U R correct

 

[TwiceStroked]

P.P.S.
The hotter it gets the more it expands so for accuracy use the above method b4 1st start of day.
Mike

 

[Fallon]

John Deere Lubricants - John Deere #MT3668 Hydraulic Oil Dye makes it much more visible. Used half the jar in my L3200 to great results.

As has been noted the fluid level in a hydraulic sump fluctuates a LOT. There is a correct method to check it (loader down dead center of the sight glass). But realistically as long as its anywhere near the sight glass you'll be fine. The sump is designed with a large volume & even larger capacity to deal with all the fluctuations.

 

[RjCorazza]

I check mine cold, off, level, and with the loader on the ground. My current machine has a dipstick, but previous L3410 had the window, which is very easy (and inexpensive) to replace if it's hard to read.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Gotta check mine. Mowed sat, after an hr, would hardly go up a hill. Was fine earlier in the day. Was fine on level ground. I suspect low fluid.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My fluid level was right on full, so mowed some, had no problem on the hill. Not sure what the problem was saturday.