Transmission oil level

[Harry in Ky]

I've heard on occasion that on older utility type tractors (10, 20, 30 series) hydraulic fluid dipstick should be checked with engine running. Never seen that inprint anywhere and don't put much stock in the idea. However, many of the older tractors have a dipstick where the top threads onto the tube it mounts on. Checking level with the stick screwed down makes a difference compared to the stick merely dropped into the tube. Checking level after prolonged standing will be different than shortly after running. (At least I expect it will)


Just wondering what thoughts others might have on the subject?

 

[Jim.ME]

Many were that way; the info is in the Operator's manuals. Of course, the manuals still show using 3030Special Purpose Oil which is outdated and now requires Hy Gard or another UTHF meeting the J20C spec. The pictures below are samplings from a few Operator's manuals.

 

[Newgenerationdeere]

you check it with the engine off

 

[Harry in Ky]

Okay, that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Jim.ME]

you check it with the engine off

You can see the 4 pictures, with the model numbers, I posted call for the engine running at a slow idle. As I posted many are that way, I did not say all. You saying to check with the engine off is not correct for all. What model is your picture for?

This is why having the correct Operator's Manual for the tractor is important.

 

[Tx Jim]

you check it with the engine off

JD operators manual stated check hyd oil level with engine off on some models & engine operating on other models. Doipstick cap resting on threads on some models.

 

[Newgenerationdeere]

JD operators manual stated check hyd oil level with engine off on some models & engine operating on other models. Doipstick cap resting on threads on some models.

I never knew that before but I only know the larger Waterloo built tractors 4430 4440 4850 4955 4960 8300 8400 8630 9570r 9570rx

 

[ss55]

you check it with the engine off

Utility tractors had a different procedure for checking hydraulic oil than the rowcrop tractors.

 

[mEl]

I spent my life in a Case shop, if you walked up to a Case power shuttle cold, not run, it could be an inch over full from converter drainback, I always ran them and then checked the oil level, I will explain why and you can do with it what you will. if you run the engine, in 4th gear for safety, forward or reverse shuttle, the gear train in the shuttle is frozen the only thing moving is the outer shell of the TC, no gear splash to mess up your readings and the system is in actual working mode, Obviously you can only do it on units with a Torque Converter. In my opinion it is the most accurate way. This is also true of any Case O Matics, your opinion may vary, but I spent my career doing this in the same shop Case shop, 1962-2014. I do not expect to change anyone's mind but at least you know the reasoning behind my method.

 

[DavidNeale]

I have a 1967 2020, and a 1973 2030.
My owners manuals say this for both;
“With the tractor on level ground, remove and wipe off the transmission dip stick. Check the oil level on the dip stick with the cap resting on the pipe threads. If the oil level is down to the bottom mark on the dipstick, remove the filler cap on the rockshaft housing, and add John Deere type 303 Special Purpose oil.”
That is now JD Hyguard.
It doesn’t say anywhere to have the engine running when checking. I hope this helps.
My suggestion:
With the amount of money invested in these machines, for gods sake, get on eBay and spend 20 bucks and at the least, buy an operators manual. It will eliminate a lot of frustration.
The best advice I got from Tx Jim was bite the bullet & buy the manuals. I even found the service manuals for a good price. They are worth the investment!

 

[Harry in Ky]

Thanks, but at this point if the engine were running the transmission oil level would easy to deal with.

 

[Jim.ME]

I have a 1967 2020, and a 1973 2030.
My owners manuals say this for both;
“With the tractor on level ground, remove and wipe off the transmission dip stick. Check the oil level on the dip stick with the cap resting on the pipe threads. If the oil level is down to the bottom mark on the dipstick, remove the filler cap on the rockshaft housing, and add John Deere type 303 Special Purpose oil.”
That is now JD Hyguard.
It doesn’t say anywhere to have the engine running when checking. I hope this helps.
My suggestion:
With the amount of money invested in these machines, for gods sake, get on eBay and spend 20 bucks and at the least, buy an operators manual. It will eliminate a lot of frustration.
The best advice I got from Tx Jim was bite the bullet & buy the manuals. I even found the service manuals for a good price. They are worth the investment!

Welcome to the forums.

What are the John Deere publication numbers are your Operator's manuals? Please post pictures of those instructions, as I did in post #2 above of the ones from my 2020 (OMT26335) and 2030 (OMR50675) Operator's manuals. I am interested in seeing which JD manuals for those models that did not call for the engines to be running on them.

 

[DavidNeale]

Welcome to the forums.

What are the John Deere publication numbers are your Operator's manuals? Please post pictures of those instructions, as I did in post #2 above of the ones from my 2020 (OMT26335) and 2030 (OMR50675) Operator's manuals. I am interested in seeing which JD manuals for those models that did not call for the engines to be running on them.

 

[Jim.ME]

That is likely an early manual. That publication number came up as No Results when I checked it on the JD technical bookstore.

You can check it as described in your manual or with the engine running as the later 2020 manual shows. I would go with the later method if it has a loader running on the tractor hydraulics to have a bit more oil in it.