Reading Hydraulic/tranny fluid levels

[Chaos USMC]

I use a bunn coffee maker's clean out spring.

Leejohn, I'm not following your input. "coffee makers clean out spring"?

 

[Leejohn]

The spring that is used to run up the out put tube to clean it. Your wife well know what spring I'm talking about. A old throttle cable off of a lawn mower that does not have a cover on it, just use it without inter core wire.

 

[Chaos USMC]

Leejohn,

I apologize Sir, I am definitely missing something. What are you doing with the spring (btw, bride does not know either)? Or, the throttle cable cover sheath?

Just thinking, are you suggesting I would wrap the dip stick with either item, perhaps to create more surface area and hence more adhesion?

Thanks for hanging in there...

 

[boomer1025]

I used a black cable tie to make a hyd dipstick to check the level.

 

[Chaos USMC]

Boomer, great suggestion. I will try that tomorrow to see if it scratches my itch. Safe night.

 

[Leejohn]

I well take some pictures tomorrow.

 

[oosik]

I've used a dry wood stick - like a chop stick. Mark HI/LOW & insertion level on the stick. The oil shows very nicely on the dry stick. I used this procedure a couple times and then remembered to take my reading glasses with me. I CAN see the oil level on the OEM dip stick with my reading glasses on.

 

[rScotty]

Because of the color (or lack thereof) of the hydraulic/transmission fluid in my tractor (absolutely clear) I have a hard time telling where the exact level of the fluid is on the dipsticks. I have to try to read it numerous times before I am confident I am reading it correctly.

Is there any kind of "dye", etc. that can be added that gives the fluid a darker color so that levels can be more apparent on the dipsticks? Or, perhaps there is an aftermarket dipstick that is "etched" that allows for more distinct level indications...

Thanks.

This subject has come up many times before. I'm surprised that no manufacturer has figured out how to simply change the dipstick to make the oil more visible. Maybe too simple? What I did was to toast the end of the dipstick on kitchen stove burner flame until the last inch or so turned blue. Total time, a few seconds in the flame.
rScotty

 

[Leejohn]

The top picture is a throttle cable casing. The next one is my B7800 dip stick and throttle cable casing, then the BX2660 dip stick. The bottom is a bun coffee pot clean out spring. Hope you get it now. BTY I have not tried yet, but I think the guy that posted using a paper towel would work good.

 

[Wagtail]

... Ericm's suggestion for the John Deere dye look's feasible but multiple bottles of the dye at roughly $13/bottle would be required...

It would only take two bottles (US$26). One 12ml bottle per 5 gallons.

According to tractordata.com your TYM T503 uses 9.2 gallons of hydraulic fluid.