M600 hydraulic oil fill

[skidder58]

Hey guys, have a 71 M600 with oil tanks on both sides. The diagram I saw shows the oil fill, low plug and high plug on the left side. Do you put oil in both sides to the high plug? Also I've read that it holds something like 20 gallons of oil. Does it really take that much to fill it? Just picked this up and I got a parts manual with it which says Hydraulic reservoir capacity- 17 gals. Hydraulic/Hydrostatic system- 20 gals. any help would be great. thanks in advance for your time and expertise.

 

[mark18mwm]

yYu only need to put it in one tank. It gravity feeds into both sides. Pour it in from the top, behind and to the left of the seat (as you sit in it) side, there is a breather there. Unscrew the breather to fill it. The two plugs you speak of are for checking the oil, take out the upper plug and pour the oil in from the top, the breather hole, untill it runs out the hole between the wheels where you removed the plug to check it, you only need to remove one as long as it's sitting somewhat leval. Yes they hold a lot of oil (ATF) the oil also lubricates the drive system (drive chains, wheel bearings, steering clutch's) as well as being used for the hydraulics.

 

[6brnorma]

yYu only need to put it in one tank. It gravity feeds into both sides. Pour it in from the top, behind and to the left of the seat (as you sit in it) side, there is a breather there. Unscrew the breather to fill it. The two plugs you speak of are for checking the oil, take out the upper plug and pour the oil in from the top, the breather hole, untill it runs out the hole between the wheels where you removed the plug to check it, you only need to remove one as long as it's sitting somewhat leval. Yes they hold a lot of oil (ATF) the oil also lubricates the drive system (drive chains, wheel bearings, steering clutch's) as well as being used for the hydraulics.

The entire hydraulic system holds 20 gallons…….the reservoir/final drive case holds 17 gallons by itself. It is not a hydrostatic system. As mark said……the system is "self-leveling" so just fill one port.

 

[skidder58]

yYu only need to put it in one tank. It gravity feeds into both sides. Pour it in from the top, behind and to the left of the seat (as you sit in it) side, there is a breather there. Unscrew the breather to fill it. The two plugs you speak of are for checking the oil, take out the upper plug and pour the oil in from the top, the breather hole, untill it runs out the hole between the wheels where you removed the plug to check it, you only need to remove one as long as it's sitting somewhat leval. Yes they hold a lot of oil (ATF) the oil also lubricates the drive system (drive chains, wheel bearings, steering clutch's) as well as being used for the hydraulics.

Really appreciate the info. I picked this machine up for $100 in running but tired condition. It'll cost more in oil than I paid for the machine. In the process of rebuilding the motor. Holy crap are parts expensive. I could rebuild a small block Chevy for less than this VF4d. Oh well. I still think I got a pretty good deal on it. Thanks again

 

[SkidRoe]

Really appreciate the info. I picked this machine up for $100 in running but tired condition. It'll cost more in oil than I paid for the machine. In the process of rebuilding the motor. Holy crap are parts expensive. I could rebuild a small block Chevy for less than this VF4d. Oh well. I still think I got a pretty good deal on it. Thanks again

If you are not too deep into the VF4d, you should maybe consider looking into a VH4d. Better engine, more power - same engine as an M610.
Food for thought - SR

 

[6brnorma]

If you are not too deep into the VF4d, you should maybe consider looking into a VH4d. Better engine, more power - same engine as an M610.
Food for thought - SR

Skid beat me to it……..definitely go with the VH4D if you haven't sunk any money into the VF4D at this point.