Oil & Fuel Hydraulic Fluid Level - L3400

[Gem99ultra]

I know... this will sound like the dumbest question you've ever heard asked, no doubt. But - I'm bumfuzzled. So, I'd rather look stupid than broke down.

I had a Top & Tilt added. And now I have no idea as to how to check the hydraulic fluid level for the rear hydraulics. If I pull the return line cap, how far down should the fluid level be?

Can you tell me where to check the fluid level, and how to tell if there's enough or not?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[General Lee]

Do you have a sight glass on the rear axle area or a dipstick?

 

[LD1]

I know... this will sound like the dumbest question you've ever heard asked, no doubt. But - I'm bumfuzzled. So, I'd rather look stupid than broke down.

I had a Top & Tilt added. And now I have no idea as to how to check the hydraulic fluid level for the rear hydraulics. If I pull the return line cap, how far down should the fluid level be?

Can you tell me where to check the fluid level, and how to tell if there's enough or not?

Thanks,

Jim

There should be a sight glass on the side of the transmission by one of your feet if you are sitting on the machine. I think it is by your left foot...but dont quote me on that.

Adding a TNT shouldnt require any additional fluid. Those cylinders arent going to use that much. Maybe a half gallon at the most if you feel like adding a little for peice of mind.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Thanks LD1. I didn't realize that the level in the sight glass accounted for all hydraulic fulid levels.

I did find that little hidden sight glass once. But like you implied, that sucker hides from me Next time I find it I'm going to paint a white circle around it!

I'm suspecting that I've been overfilling. Not good.

 

[jimbo64]

l3200 has a sight glass on left side near clutch petal- lousy engineering -should have a dip stick but lets not go there- anyway sight glass should show fluid half way up the glass=kinda looks like a bubble on the top-check it cold--------------good luck ---jimbo

 

[bigballer]

l3200 has a sight glass on left side near clutch petal- lousy engineering -should have a dip stick but lets not go there- anyway sight glass should show fluid half way up the glass=kinda looks like a bubble on the top-check it cold--------------good luck ---jimbo

my dealer installed a dipstick on my L3400 not long after i purchased, it was in the shop for something and now i can't remember why they did it but think it was due to some TSB.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Thanks for the clue Jimbo. FINALLY found it (again). On the HST there's a half-moon cutout on the center console on the left side, halfway between the front and back.

...yeah, I put a nice label on mine. Unfortunately, I (as I suspected) have over-filled it. Fluid completely covers the sight glass and is foamy. And I'm also seeing a few drips of hydraulic fluid under the tractor. Should I drain some out? Or leave it be and let it self-level?

Not trying to redirect the blame, but the dumb-*** dealer showed me how to check the level. Unscrew the return line cap, stick my little finger in to the first joint. Fluid should touch the end of the finger. BONK! BONK! That's overfilled. Now that I've labeled the sight glass location, I'll keep it at the proper level from here on.

I blame myself for listening to the "salesman" based on the quality of parts and labor that they supplied on my top & tilt insall. Pathetic work and substandard parts. And I'm being kind in that description. This L3400 was my second tractor that I bought from those monkeys. Mark it as my last.

 

[Chilly807]

You're better to drain some out. I'd recommend putting a bucket under one of the drain plugs, parked on a truly level spot, and slowly let some drain until you can see the level in the glass.

Sean

 

[jimbo64]

You're better to drain some out. I'd recommend putting a bucket under one of the drain plugs, parked on a truly level spot, and slowly let some drain until you can see the level in the glass.

Sean

i agree with sean------park it at a level spot, check it cold, drain it until its at right spot on sight gage-you don't want to blow a seal because you overfilled- good luck------jimbo

 

[Gem99ultra]

Got it; thanks. I'll do that this morning before, hopefully, I do more damage.

Jim

 

[ccsial]

I'm suspecting that I've been overfilling. Not good.

I would not worry. Back some years ago when there a lot of complaining about the ratchet noise of the old style cams Kubota instituted a change. They way over filled the hydraulic fluid to dampen the noise. I think the kit added a dip stick in the back since the sight glass would be useless.

Based on that, I don't think over filling will hurt anything except you won't see the level on the sight glass. In that case if it is all white it is low, if all a light yellow, it is full.

 

[Gem99ultra]

That's quite a relief to know about the overfilling, CCSIAl. I did go ahead and pulled the return line and let it pump out about 2 quarts. Fluid level still covers the sight glass, but I'll let it sit for a while and recheck it.

And yes, it is all yellow. But it's a relief to know that at least some overfilling won't likely blow the seals. I sure wish mine had come with the dip stick like the mod in the TSB.

Jim

 

[bigballer]

I would not worry. Back some years ago when there a lot of complaining about the ratchet noise of the old style cams Kubota instituted a change. They way over filled the hydraulic fluid to dampen the noise. I think the kit added a dip stick in the back since the sight glass would be useless.

Based on that, I don't think over filling will hurt anything except you won't see the level on the sight glass. In that case if it is all white it is low, if all a light yellow, it is full.

this is what they did to mine and seems to work fine but the racheting can still be heard, albeit not as loud. what i don't like is the end of the dipstick protrudes from the cover and my boot sometimes catches it when i get on/off the tractor.