I cannot speak for the original poster, I can only speak for what I've seen with my tractors. I have a pair of 806s, both diesels, both running Case IH cartridge filters. One has the issue, one doesn't. Both parked on level ground, its pretty flat in general here. The one in question is sitting on concrete in the shop right now so that would eliminate the question of checking the dipstick on an uneven surface. I only put about 100 hours a year on either tractor, they get the engine oil and filters changed in the spring before field work commences. Obviously that is the time I've notices the canisters being half full, I don't have a reason to open them up mid season. My oil lights do work on both tractors, I have not noticed anything unusual about them as far as oil pressure is concerned, but I do not have an auxiliary gauge on the tractor in question. Might be a good idea to put one on it just to get a better understanding of what is going on at start up.