Constantly losing my dipstick!

When I got my 202 it did not have it's rear dipstick in place, there was simply a bolt loosely put in the hole to sort of prevent moisture from entering. I ordered one from this site and put it in and on a few occasions I found my boot catching it, possibly when going from the tractor seat up to the backhoe. Other times just in normal operation of the loader I have had a boot lace snag it and pull it out. I found it a few times and put it back in but it never really fit right. Finally it fell out and I lost it.
So I ordered a second one, this time I put a little extra bend in the rear tab of the stick where it reaches down inside the hole so it would stay in there snug. Well it was so snug that when my boot lace caught it, it just bent the rounded "ring" handle that you would use to remove it. I simply bent it back into shape and folded it down so as not to catch it on my bootlace again.
A couple weeks ago I was checking fluids and low and behold it was gone. I have no idea where it went, it had been to a neighbors to dig for a horse waterer and to another neighbor who used it to remove some old broken up patio block so I have no idea.

So my question is, is there a better dipstick to be had? Do any of you with similar tractors, I'm thinking 35s, 135, any of the Workbull series have similar issues? Next one is getting a piece of chain or wire attached to it so that if it does find it's way out of the hole it won't be lost for good.

The rest of us have smaller shoes !

I have used MF tractors for 39 years now... never heard about such a problem before.

Please don't be offended now... but how on earth do you move your feet around to get in trouble with the dipstick ?

I suggest you ask your tractor dealer for a subscription on transmission dipsticks.

Bill

I feel your pain:

i have a to-35 and I have pull the trans dipstick out of its holder a number of times over the years, with my shoe getting off the tractor.

finally, i drilled a small hole in the handle of the dipstick, I connected the dipstick to the dipstick holder with a small chain.

The chain must be long enough that you can pullout the dipstick to check the oil level.

Since doing this, I have never again lost the dipstick as it is chained to the tractor.

Problem solved:

We had the same problem with my Dad"s 65. He got a replacement dipstick from the dealer that had a key ring type loop on the top to pull it out with, vs the standard solid loop type stick. It works very well.

Why don't you buy shoes with no laces? LOL
Fit the chain or even a plastic cable-tie to prevent loss because
they are all just a loose fit.
Sam

(quoted from post at 17:57:07 11/09/11)
Please don't be offended now... but how on earth do you move your feet around to get in trouble with the dipstick ?
Bill

Click to expand...

You've never seen me operate my tractor..........hehehe. :wink:

I have lost 2 on my 1085, 3 on my 175 and 1 0n my 135. A buying the last $67 for the 1085, they all are cabled to the tractor.

get a long 1/4-20 bolt with large rounded head, carriage bolt works great

using hacksaw cut lines on the bolt at same levels as the dipstick has

place bolt in the dipstick hole, only the rounded head will show

problem solved, I believe in KISS