YM2000 Hydraulic Fluid - Capacity?

[California]

Will one 5 gallon pail of 'JD 303' be enough for my YM240 (YM2000 equivalent) and the big Great Bend loader on it? The manual says 4 gallons capacity for the tractor alone without a loader.

If not, what next - buy another pail and use part of it, look for gallons, or re-use a couple of quarts of the old fluid to top it up? (The old fluid looks clean.) I've never seen this fluid sold in quantities other than 5 gallon pails.

Also, since the existing fluid looks good and the system works well, what are the chances of needing a new strainer?

 

[1danny]

I would remove the screen and check it, and clean while the transmission is drained. I would not use the old oil.

Danny

 

[normde2001]

I don't have a loader, but I would not be afraid to re-use a gallon or so of old oil, as long as it looks good, and especially after letting it sit and settle out any impurities. (I understand the loader needs a couple of gallons). I would only replace the strainer if it shows signs of deterioration, (maybe order in advance and keep on hand, since, if it is bad, you are stuck).

 

[California]

And the answer is ...

4 gallons, same as without a loader.

It seems intutive now, I didn't drain the hydraulic cylinders, so the loader system didn't require any extra fluid.


Here are a couple of tips for anyone who has to do this project - these made it easy to pour directly from the 5 gallon bucket:

For a high capacity funnel I looked in the recycle bin and found an empty bleach bottle with threads the same diameter as the transmission fill hole. After cutting off the bottom and rinsing it, this screwed in rigidly into the transmission filler hole. This funnel would take fluid faster than I could pour it so I never had to stop.

Also, removing the seat made plenty of room to work. This is simple, there's only a spring clip to remove, then slide out the long hinge pin under the front of the seat.

Hopefully this information will be useful to someone in the future. I have found lots of good advice here and now it's good to be able to share some.