Assessing water in hydraulic oil

William1

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX25D
Jul 28, 2015
1,243
440
83
Richmond, Virginia
My un-expert feeling is... run an acceptable, cheap oil. Half a hour, working all components of the machine. Drain, refill and then run the tractor hard (six hours of work) to get it real hot. Water will 'boil off'. Every hour during this hard day, check the level, it should drop if there is still water in it. At the end of the day, drain and do it one more time.
I'd not run-flush it with anything but acceptable hydraulic fluid.
To those that might know, can a 'Mr. Funnel' be used to trap the water during a flush?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
33,916
9,137
113
Sandpoint, ID
First verify the at full capacity. Do a 100% drain and determine how much is left in cylinders etc. Fill with diesel fuel, run all hydraulics 1/2 hour and drain. Repeat with second fill 50-50 diesel and hydr oil. Then conplete by filling 100% hydraulic oil. Let the 50-50 mixture settle and any water in on the bottom.
That would be a great way to destroy a lot of the tractors systems!
Running diesel through the hydraulic system is an extremely BAD idea period!

Diesel in a HST would instantly destroy everything in it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
14,497
6,877
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
First verify the at full capacity. Do a 100% drain and determine how much is left in cylinders etc. Fill with diesel fuel, run all hydraulics 1/2 hour and drain. Repeat with second fill 50-50 diesel and hydr oil. Then conplete by filling 100% hydraulic oil. Let the 50-50 mixture settle and any water in on the bottom.
You put diesel in your hydraulic system and "....run all hydraulics 1/2 hour and drain". Then report how your HST operates!!! Advice no one should follow.

Late to the show, but man.......
 

Hman0217

Member

Equipment
Kubota l3901 hst
Aug 12, 2021
39
11
8
Catskill, ny
My un-expert feeling is... run an acceptable, cheap oil. Half a hour, working all components of the machine. Drain, refill and then run the tractor hard (six hours of work) to get it real hot. Water will 'boil off'. Every hour during this hard day, check the level, it should drop if there is still water in it. At the end of the day, drain and do it one more time.
I'd not run-flush it with anything but acceptable hydraulic fluid.
To those that might know, can a 'Mr. Funnel' be used to trap the water during a flush?
Thanks William

After reading this I had to do my own diligence because I didn't realize you COULD boil off the water. But it seems it's possible.

Will the fluid circulate if I just leave it running in a field or so I have to actually operate it continuously and keep moving the loader and backhoe?
 

William1

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX25D
Jul 28, 2015
1,243
440
83
Richmond, Virginia
Thanks William

After reading this I had to do my own diligence because I didn't realize you COULD boil off the water. But it seems it's possible.

Will the fluid circulate if I just leave it running in a field or so I have to actually operate it continuously and keep moving the loader and backhoe?
Just letting it idle will probably not heat up the fluid.
Drive it operate the FEL, move boulders, grade the drive way, dig a swimming pool. Operate every thing that is hydraulic to move the fluid and you want it hot. At least a few hours of hard work.
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
10,419
5,610
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
[
Thanks William

After reading this I had to do my own diligence because I didn't realize you COULD boil off the water. But it seems it's possible.

Will the fluid circulate if I just leave it running in a field or so I have to actually operate it continuously and keep moving the loader and backhoe?
Do you know what the function of the hydraulic oil cooler is?

Dan