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How to flush a hydraulic tank?

T

TominVA

New User
I have a hydraulic tank with lots of sludge on the bottom. What solvent should I use to flush the tank? The tank has a 2" fill opening and a 2" opening near the bottom where the sump filter is. There is no way to reach inside and clean with rags. I would like to put a couple inches of solvent in it and then flush it out. I am concerned with using a solvent that could leave residuals that contaminate the new fluid I will add when I place it back in service.

I am in the process of replacing all of the hydraulic lines on the machine as well as cleaning or repacking the cylinders. The tank is the last item that needs to be addressed before I reassemble everything.
 
The best way to clean it is to REMOVE it . Remove it , steam clean it. Let it dry COMPLETELY before reinstalling.
I know some tanks are a real PAIN in the butt to remove but you will thank yourself later.
 
Mineral spirits works very well but I would also take it off if I were you. The mineral spirits takes a little longer to evaporate but if any of it does manage to get into the system it won't cause damage to the pump or valves.
 
Tom, I just flushed and cleaned the reservoir on an excavator last weekend. The shop manual said to flush with diesel fuel. This reservoir had a large access plate that I removed. The inside of the tank was painted from the factory with zinc chromate primer. A stronger solvent would have softened the paint and caused problems. In my case, all of the dirt was sitting on the bottom of the tank (square shaped). You could try feeding an open ended air hose into the tank and moving it around. The other thing that comes to mind would be something like a concrete vibrator tool to cause the dirt and sludge to break up. Jack
 
Jack,
This sounds like the way to go. If one manufacturer recommend diesel fuel to clean, it should be safe for others. I think I will let fuel sit in the tank for a few days to let it work. I have a air wand I can get into the tank to stir it up and to dry it out after flushing. Thanks
 
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