Kubota Z482 dipstick false reading + engine failure.

[Mouse]

I've lost two engines to oil starvation and always wondered why as I check the oil regularly. Today when changing the oil on it's annual maintenance cycle I noticed that with the sump plug removed the dipstick still showed atleast 1/4 full, which is not low enough to cause alarm. Only repeatedly dipping did the dip stick show below the lower level which you'll never do when checking the oil once a week.
This is the Axiam Microcar edition of the engine with the cranked dipstick sighting tube and I suspect the oil is not draining out of the cranked part for reasons of airlock or simply surface tension etc etc.
Top Tip: Keep your Kubota oil well above the lower limit or you might be reading a false level.

I did a quick video demonstrating this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqG1E6BAzHQ

[alexanderfoti]

That is not ideal!

Something to note, all my 622/720 etc dispticks seem much shorter than yours. They bottom out on the sealing surface at the top, rather than the bottom of the sump.