Re:Hydro fluid, more is not always better

[paull]

While performing my spring tractor lubrication/tightening /adjustment ritual I noted that the hydro fluid in the vickers unit on my 416H was down about 5 oz. Instead of filling to the overflow plug in the reservoir as specified, I took the liberty of filling it up about 3 inches OVER the overflow plug, but still 2 inches from the top of the reservoir. After mowing my acre of grass in under 1 hour (a record for me, I ran the tractor all out most of the job) in order to insult my neighbor who takes all day to mow his acre with a wheel horse GT, I put the machine away. Two days later I find this puddle of hydro (tranny ATF) under the tractor, holy @#%$! I say. After checking things I see that it apparently leaked from the reservoir area. Sure enough, after checking the reservoir there was less fluid in there than before, but still about 1 inch above the overflow, AH HA.
I removed the excess and lo and behold no more leak. The only thing I can figure is that after I put the tractor away, while it and the tranny were hot after a real workout, the fluid expanded and leaked out of the reservoir since the cooling fan was obviously not on OR the higher head pressure of 3 inches of fluid over the overflow forced some of the fluid out of a joint OR the fluid simply dripped from the overflow (there was so much gerb on the reservoir I couldn't make out EXACTLY where the leak came from).
Now after all that, all I have to say is ALWAYS USE THE RECOMMENDED FLUID CAPACITIES AND NO MORE;
UNLESS YOU LIKE UNPLEASANT SURPRISES.
Paul L.