4890 oil level

Moline_guy

Well-known Member
On a 4890, the oil on the transmission sight glasses are full when shut off but when its running they both look half full. Is this normal?
 
With engine off, if we see the top sight glass low, we add 5 gallons. Trained our customer for years this way.
 
Just a thought-thosee things are hard to see. We turned one out an there was a coating on inside of it an we cleaned glass an that helped, Since they are threaded in could you put a metal plug or a petcock in in place of at least one glass.
 
The glasses are clear and easy to see compared to dads 1370. I know they are both full when the engine is off, its when the engine is running they are both half full, you can see part of the split metal plate behind the oil when its running. Maybe I will add another 2 1/2 gallons to it even though they are both full when off, I have never heard of it hurting anything being over full a bit. I am guessing it is suppose to be checked when off, we don't have a book for it. Thanks for the replies.
plainsman1521.jpg
 
What you are looking at is the 4 speed tranny and resovoir. When the tractor is running, it pulls from the resovoir & fills & lubricates everything relying on the hydraulics. The bottom line is that the resovoir needs to be full especially when running, to fully lubricate the tranny.
 
Simply put another way,; is the oil needed the most when the tractor is sitting still? or when the gears are turning creating friction & heat?
 
Thanks for the reply, I will definately add some more oil to it, I don't know a lot about the ins and outs of the transmissions, just wanted to make sure over filling wasn't going to cause problems. I guess I fugured the oil level was to be checked when off, but that must not be the case. Dad bought it around 5 years ago or so, and its only job is to grind hay. Tires are poor on it and we have used it as a pull out tractor, but we have some older Versatiles for tillage work. But grinding hay, to me, is just as much abuse on components as tillage work, so keeping enough oil to everything is important. Thanks again for the information.
 
Oil level should be checked when tractor is shut off, anyone whom suggests otherwise is mistaken.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top