Oil & Fuel New L2501 owner

[bdubwendt]

Had my very first tractor delivered about two weeks ago. L2501 HST with FEL and finish mower. My dad gave me his 4' rotary cutter. I'm loving it so far. Have 12.5 hours on it.

One thing I've struggled with a couple times is gauging the hydrostatic fluid level through the peep sight. I've struggled so much so that I was fearful it was low at about 11 hours of operation so I added some fluid and didn't see the level change, so I added some more. No change so I emptied the rest of the gallon jug. Long story short, I got a better look at the level today and can clearly see that the peep sight was entirely yellowish in color. I put a clean pan below the largest drain port and slowly started letting out fluid. 1/2 gallon later the peep sight shows the level at half full, which is where the dealer, and the manual, advise that the level should be.

My question to the knowledgeable folks on the TBN forums:

1. Have I created and problems by running too full for 1.5 hours?

2. Is there an easier way to know the level of the fluid. I really struggled with the peep sight.

3. Does the fluid level vary depending on slope/outside temperature/operating temperature?

Thanks in advance,

Brian

 

[motownbrowne]

Had my very first tractor delivered about two weeks ago. L2501 HST with FEL and finish mower. My dad gave me his 4' rotary cutter. I'm loving it so far. Have 12.5 hours on it.

One thing I've struggled with a couple times is gauging the hydrostatic fluid level through the peep sight. I've struggled so much so that I was fearful it was low at about 11 hours of operation so I added some fluid and didn't see the level change, so I added some more. No change so I emptied the rest of the gallon jug. Long story short, I got a better look at the level today and can clearly see that the peep sight was entirely yellowish in color. I put a clean pan below the largest drain port and slowly started letting out fluid. 1/2 gallon later the peep sight shows the level at half full, which is where the dealer, and the manual, advise that the level should be.

My question to the knowledgeable folks on the TBN forums:

1. Have I created and problems by running too full for 1.5 hours?

2. Is there an easier way to know the level of the fluid. I really struggled with the peep sight.

3. Does the fluid level vary depending on slope/outside temperature/operating temperature?

Thanks in advance,

Brian

Congrats on the new machine!

I don't think you've created any problems. A little more info in the third answer.

The peep sight is the only way to gauge the level. There are dyes for hydraulic fluid that will make the level easier to see. I can't name anything, but Google can probably help.

The hydraulic level in the sight gauge does change. The amount of fluid in the loader cylinders, the position of the three point, the angle of the machine will influence the reading. It's a large sump with a lot of fluid in it. It's a pretty forgiving system. Do your best to keep it close to where it's supposed to be, but a little high or low isn't gonna kill it. Also, check the level on a flat surface.

 

[bdubwendt]

Thanks motownbrowne

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Angle definitely matters. Your owner's manual should comment on this. A flash light helps me to see the fluid level if it's poor light out.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

BTW, I was in an airport yeasterday that had an L2501 on display. It looks like a very capable machine.

 

[nybirdman]

I purchased red dye for hydraulics from the John Deere dealer and works well.Make sure to tell your Kubota service people;they thought I had put automatic transmission fluid in my tractor.The dye makes it much easier to see.

 

[teg]

Long time ago, our standard L models use to have overriding PTO cams... to make them "quieter", they added more oil to raise the oil level (they had a replacement for the side slight glass to change it into a dip stick for the oil) Basically, there is NO problem running too much oil, it's not like an engine, it's just a reserve tank.

Also, in the other direction... I've lost 3 gallons (out of 7.5 gal.) of hydro oil and it was fine driving it to the house to fix it. The extra oil is to keep the oil cooler (temp. wise).

 

[Fallon]

I purchased red dye for hydraulics from the John Deere dealer and works well.Make sure to tell your Kubota service people;they thought I had put automatic transmission fluid in my tractor.The dye makes it much easier to see.

Same. Pink oil is easy to see in the site glass. Crystal clear oil, not so much.

 

[sandyc]

Been reading these posts regarding tipping. When I had a cabbed 2200 I thought it was really tippy. I removed the cab and even when mowing the same hill I thought it was more stable. The cab weighed a hundred pounds. Maybe perception has something to do with it.

 

[Blondie70]

Mine was tippy too...but I got some of them blue glasses like Hillary wears.....all is fine and dandy, no worries at all...ha ha ha