Reading Hydraulic/tranny fluid levels

[shovelmike]

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

Many car makers employ holes and or crosshatching to make the oil level more visible. Adding crosshatch via a Dremel might do the trick, being sure to clean all metallic debris off afterwards.
And for us old timers, reading glasses help a lot.

 

[airportrep]

ericM979,
I see you have a Branson 3725H as do I. Seeing the fluid level in the tranny/hydraulics site window is next to impossible! Actually, it is impossible! What do you do? I'm beginning to think a fix/recall of sorts by Branson is in order because the only way I have to be sure what is in there is to drain it out and measure it back in!!

Joe

 

[Chaos USMC]

Wagtail, only $26..! In my world, on top of the cost of the transmission/hydraulic fluid ($100+), and the $100 filter, that is more than enough to find a possible alternative, if there is one. Although LeeJohn had a good suggestion, I tried Boomers tie-tie/cable tie suggestion, and it worked great. Once you calibrate your cable tie, done deal. And, it cost me maybe $0.03.

Having said that, I would be willing to pay $26 for a few pints of draft Fosters! We all have our priorities...

Be safe and be well mate....

 

[rScotty]

ericM979,
I see you have a Branson 3725H as do I. Seeing the fluid level in the tranny/hydraulics site window is next to impossible! Actually, it is impossible! What do you do? I'm beginning to think a fix/recall of sorts by Branson is in order because the only way I have to be sure what is in there is to drain it out and measure it back in!!

Joe

Isn't there a dipstick?

 

[LouNY]

Just a window on most of the Bransons,
what I do is look at with the tractor level,
then I'll move it a few feet to were I have a good slope,
I'll drive in and see if the window looks different,
if no change then I'll back in the level usually shows in one of those positions.
I tend to run mine a few gallons over as it's usually on hills.When the front wheels are a foot or so lower then the rears,
I like to see the level line in the window.

 

[ericm979]

ericM979,
I see you have a Branson 3725H as do I. Seeing the fluid level in the tranny/hydraulics site window is next to impossible! Actually, it is impossible! What do you do? I'm beginning to think a fix/recall of sorts by Branson is in order because the only way I have to be sure what is in there is to drain it out and measure it back in!!

Joe

When I changed the fluid I went slow when I got within a couple gallons of the capacity and kept checking the window. Actually I filled it all slowly as I used a hand bucket pump. With a clear trans fluid it is hard to see if the fluid level is above the window. When the level is at the window it's easy to see. If you think it is above or below the window you can try parking on a very mild slope or jacking up the front. Since the trans is long and narrow and the window is at one end, the level of the tractor would have a big effect on the level in the window.

Or you can add the dye or used pre-dyed fluid next time.