L3200 sight glass question

[SouthernSky]

I just changed my hydraulic fluids, draining all three plugs plus the filter as part of the 400 hour maintenance schedule. A lot less than 27 quarts came out that the WSM manual calls for to refill with. It’s possible I was low as I haven’t checked in a long time.

I refilled it from empty with Super UDt2 but it only took about 23 quarts. I raised and lowered the 3-point hitch and loader bucket several times to get the fluid flowing so here is my question:

The sight glass does not show the fluid when the engine is cold but it is well above the glass when warm. As it cools down it drops below the glass. Does this mean I didn’t put enough in or I put too much? The manual just shows anywhere in the glass is good but doesn’t specify if the engine is hot or cold.

thanks!

 

[Stitchit1]

I also wonder the same for my L3200. Thanks for posting!

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

my book learning from grade school was a long time ago but during farming classes they taught us about coefficient of expansions.

23 quarts of hydraulic fluid will roughly expand by 1 qt going from very cold to very hot.

Yes this is a very rough calc. the exact number depends on temp when cold, how hot is very hot, barometric/system pressure etc.... but slightly more than 1 qt expansion is a close enough calc. for sight glass measurements.

 

[Jim L.]

Operator's Manual, page 54: Liquid level between top and bottom of sight glass when cold. Level may go higher than sight glass when engine has been run.

As MapleLeafFarmer described above.

There is some liquid left in the system when drained. So the procedure is not to dump in the book quantity of fluid capacity, but to use the sight glass for refill.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Fluid is checked with it cold and not running.
Think about it, do you check the motor oil with it running?

 

[SouthernSky]

Fluid is checked with it cold and not running.
Think about it, do you check the motor oil with it running?

No, but transmission fluid on my cars and trucks is checked with the engine warm and running.

I checked the WSM rather than the Operators Manual which I should have done as they have different words on this. The WSM also said I needed 7.3 quarts instead of 7.3 gallons. Bottom line is I need to add more fluid when cold.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[SouthernSky]

I added two more liters while cold and it brought it up just short of the top of the sight glass. I'm good now!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

No, but transmission fluid on my cars and trucks is checked with the engine warm and running.

I checked the WSM rather than the Operators Manual which I should have done as they have different words on this. The WSM also said I needed 7.3 quarts instead of 7.3 gallons. Bottom line is I need to add more fluid when cold.

Thanks, everyone!

You got me on the automatic transmission fluid check.

DO NOT follow the book valves for fill!
Use the sight glass or dipstick only for fill.
There is always fluid left in the case and it all get overfilled!