Oil & Fuel HYDRAULIC FLUID

[phil burckhalter]

that's still plenty of snow, yes, we get more but usually average 100+'' the sooner lake erie freezes the better, two weeks ago the lake was 52 degrees with 15 degree winds going over it, it picked up the snow like a sponge. looks like the next week or so the weather will be rather mild, feels like we already had our winter already. my wife doesn't want to go, but i am ready to move to south carolina. tired of the cold weather and taxes in new york

 

[dambuster]

I did not post this correctly, but was directing it to the gentleman, IrvingJ" in NH.....I see a offset "tube" on your photo...that seems to extend the hydraulic fluid fill location to a useful and practical level! Did that come on your 2310?, did you make it or buy it? If so, where???? The process of removing the cap and filling fluid with backhoe mounted is not convenient on my 2007 2310.

Also, where do I check the hydraulic fluid levels? People refer to a viewing tube, which I can not seem to locate or see?

 

[irvingj]

That "extension tube" came with my 2310, so it must be a factory part, I guess. I'll look in my books to see if I can find it. Done-- see pics. Looks like parts #27 through #30, plus a couple of extra pieces. See second pic for M-F part numbers.

Checking hydraulic fluid level is done by looking in the fluid window to the left of the rear PTO shaft stub at the back of the tractor. That should be checked with the engine running and hydro. fluid warm, but it's quite hard to see it if it's totally full. I've heard of some people adding a dye to the fluid to make it more visible, but I just make sure it's full when I change the fluid. That should do it, providing you don't get any large leaks. I try to leave it with a small bubble at the top. BTW, that one window shows all the fluid in the tractor --transmission, 3PH, etc-- except for the front axle.

Even with that extension tube on the fill port, it's still very tricky to get fluid in --or check fluid level-- with the backhoe on. I bought a metal funnel with a long, flexible (spiral) metal discharge tube for just that purpose.

 

[irvingj]

Here are a couple of better pics of the window and the fill tube extension: (Anything to help out a Maineiac! :laughing

 

[dambuster]

Thanks, Interesting. Mine 2310 TLB did not have it! But I use the same funnel you do!...Getting the cap off the fill hole is interesting...I use a 1 1/8 socket on a long, flexible ratchet...gets it done...viewing tube on mine is hard to see...I just fill until I see it dribble out the fill hole. A little messy....

 

[irvingj]

I had figured that tube extension was standard, but that extension is NOT shown in the photo in my operator's manual showing the back end there. Must be a royal PITA to get at it without that! I can totally see why you might be interested in it; you should be able to order those parts form a dealer.

 

[AxleHub]

Dambuster,

If you are filling hydro fluid until it comes out the fill hole, you are filling it way too much. The fluid site glass is inches lower than than your fill spot or tube area.

 

[dambuster]

Interestingly, the dealer gave me a price of almost $300 for all the parts needed to make up the tube...and as Axlehub said, I am currently filling too much hydraulic fluid....but I cannot see the fluid sight glass!with the backhoe on and all of the 3 pt hitch assembly....I'll have to find some way with mirrors or something. If anyone has suggestions, I am certainly open for ideas!

 

[irvingj]

If you have three 24" hydraulic hoses made up, you can put them between the tractor and the backhoe (I leave mine connected to the BH). That will allow you to FAR more easily drop and re-mount the BH. I don't use the BH a lot, but even with minimal "practice" I'm now at a point where I can drop the BH in about 6 minutes and hook it back up in about 8 minutes.

Those hose extensions make a huge difference, allowing you to maintain enough space to get in there between the tractor & the BH to hook up the hydraulics, and then use them to position the BH for re-mounting; then just back up the tractor to the BH.

With the BH off, adding/checking the fluid becomes much easier, and the tractor becomes much more maneuverable, too. The extra hose length easily tucks into the space beneath the BH, both for storage and during operation.

If you bought the M-F fill port adapter (part #27 in the drawing), I bet you could find a radiator hose with the right curves and make up your own fill tube -- maybe taller so it would be even easier to use- 300 bucks is a bit much!

 

[dambuster]

Absolutely correct! I have considered it and found that I can make tube just as you described....but would like still overfill without good access to viewing window...I also will be extending the hydraulic hoses for the backhoe to make attaching & detaching easier....I am definitely not at the 8 minute re-attach point yet...I am "all thumbs" in that arena. Outside & in the cold (or not) with the arthritis....

 

[irvingj]

Axle has a good point about overfilling, but I suspect these tractors are a bit more forgiving than some vehicles... but still best to use the window. I still wish it had a $#@ed dipstick!

My old Army buddy, also a Maineiac, used to live in Bangor, so I know: no matter which route you take, it's FIVE hours from here (ya can't get there from here!).... but I'd like to extend an invitation if you can ever get over this far south & west. I'd be happy to show you some of the "tricks" I've learned with my 2310, particularly with respect to swapping implements/attachments.

I did find ONE certain vantage point from which I could see the fluid window with the BH on... but it's still tricky. You just have to keep moving your head around as you look in the general area, just to the left of the rear PTO output shaft.

PS -- my old Army buddy now lives back in his hometown of Leeds; a lot closer, but still no easy way to get there. People not living around here just don't appreciate what our north-south mountains do do our roads! Hope you were able to take care of last night's snow OK! (We got about 6.5")

 

[ray66v]

I suspect these tractors are a bit more forgiving than some vehicles...

It's another one of those non critical things, too many obsess about.

The operational fill level seems to be about + or - 2 quarts. :laughing:

 

[AxleHub]

Interestingly, the dealer gave me a price of almost $300 for all the parts needed to make up the tube...and as Axlehub said, I am currently filling too much hydraulic fluid....but I cannot see the fluid sight glass!with the backhoe on and all of the 3 pt hitch assembly....I'll have to find some way with mirrors or something. If anyone has suggestions, I am certainly open for ideas!

Dambuster, to see your site glass, check at Harbor Freight (store or online) or at a tractor supply. They have a round mirror attached to a self collapsing rod. We're talking 5 bucks maybe. Then you can shorts or lengthen the reach quickly and the mirror is attached at an angle so you can see the site glass easily.

As to you've been way overfilling the hydraulic supply. How often do you do this? Other than hydraulic change-out I don't add more than a couple ounces of fluid each year.

If you have overfilled for a lengthy period, you could be creating stress on seals and causing more to develop.

 

[dambuster]

To Irving: Thanks for the invite, love to take you up on it some time! Even though "you can't get there" from anywhere, I am Portsmouth Native....Family is Odiorne (Of Odiorne state Park)...Most of us have moved out of NH, the smart ones headed South! so I took care of the 4 inches we had....I got the 2310 TLB 2 years ago with only 550 hrs on it...but a nice heated Curtis cab and 5' snow plow...John Deere dealer went thru it before sale....seems like it was "used hard" by previous owner...but the price was right. This year, I have added a 4' bush hog, and a 6 ft finish mower for 5 acres of grass and a lot of "rough stuff"... Kubota roto-tiller and a single bottom plow...prices were good. I also added the thumb to the BH....good, practical move, when needed...

For some reason, the prior owner took the reversible seat out, making backhoe use more awkward, having to add a different seat...when used...

Now, with experience, I wish I had a little more horse power...and I can't get the lift clearance with the 3 PT hitch use the bush hog or rotary mower properly...only get 2-3 inches and implement wheels do not clear the ground when lifted...

Overall, I wish I had bought this equipment 20-30 years ago! I have almost 200 acres in 3 locations...and the 2310 is not quite enough machine to do the logging I need to do...or build the roads needed also. Oh well, now, no more money or time!

I was able to barter for a trailer to move the machine around...handy since the property is 20 miles away.

 

[dambuster]

To Axlehub. I probably have over filled too much, since I see small leaks....at some seals...but the leaks have been there since Igot machine...so maybe prior owner did same thing....I have added about a cup of fluid a few times, a gallon over the past year, but have put on over 150 hours of use with bucket....moving 350 plus yards of gravel and many hours with bush hog....and a lot of snow plowing with Curtis blade.

I have had small drip of fluid from Joy stick seals, so my right boot is well oiled and now waterproof! So I bought "O" rings to replace the seals there, per dealer instructions...