Color of my Hydraulc Oil? and a few other questions.

Fullers Farmalls · Dec 28, 2010

I have been having trouble with my bucket on my H. I thought the oil might have been to blame so i drained some to check it. The color is a light brown. Is this hint that there is water in my oil? I understand that in the cold my hydraulics will take time to warm up but it takes almost 40 minutes to warm up enough to lift my cylinders the whole way. Finally if i need to change my oil it will require a lot more oil because of the oil needed in my cylinders right?

Janicholson · Dec 28, 2010

You have water contamination in the oil. It must be heated to drive it out (safely and with a double boiler system outside is best, no flame). Replacing the oil will also work.
The answer to the last part of the question is determined by how it is set up now. If there are hoses running to the top of each lift cylinder, it will need probably 10 gallons. If not about 6 gallons will do it. Some use Hytran hydraulic oil. If it were mine, I would probably use a slightly heavier hydraulic oil than it is. Maybe a mix of Hytran and the heavier oil. The original oil was specified as non-detergent 30 wt in summer and 20 wt in winter. Best of luck, Jim

Nebraska Cowman · Dec 28, 2010

Yes, that oil has water in it. Yes, maybe, depending how your cylinders work. If they only have one hose going to them then all the oil must come back into the sump when the loader is down. it will only hold so much.

Fullers Farmalls · Dec 28, 2010

Thanks. Mine has hoses at the top and bottom of the cylinders. How is the best way to get all the oil out of the entire system (cylinders, hoses, and pump)? And what type of oil is the best? I'm only really sure of one type. ISO 46. What type is best to use? I really appreciate the help.

Janicholson · Dec 29, 2010

You probably won't get it all out. These systems are self priming, so I would bleed down the cylinders into a bucket. Remove the lower mount and use a jack to full travel the lift cylinders to their limit to discharge all the oil you can (you could rinse them, i would not).
Then drain the fluid from the bottom of the Liftall. Refill with new oil (the oil should have about the same actual viscosity as 20 wt engine oil) then lift an lower refilling as needed to replenish the same amount that came out. Jim

47M · Dec 29, 2010

If he"s using the Lift-All pump and reservoir, I believe he"ll need 6 quarts (not six gallons) of hydraulic fluid, or 10 quarts for additional fluid in the cylinders.

mkirsch · Dec 29, 2010

Here's what you do:

1. Raise the loader all the way.
2. Drain the Liftall reservoir.
3. Lower the loader all the way, without starting the tractor.
4. Drain the Liftall reservoir again.
5. Fill the liftall reservoir with fresh oil.
6. Lift the loader part way, about 1/4 of the way up.
7. Refill the liftall reservoir with fresh oil.
8. Lift the loader some more, about 1/2 way up.
9. Refill the liftall reservoir with fresh oil.
10. Lift the loader some more, about 3/4 of the way up.
11. Refill the liftall reservoir with fresh oil.
12. Lift the loader all the way up.
13. Lower the loader.

This will exchange nearly all the oil in the tops of the cylinders for fresh without tedious draining and bleeding.

M Diesel · Dec 29, 2010

Looks more like foaming to me. It may have water but water contamination will not slow down the lift, unless something is frozen. Foaming is about sucking air, meaning not quite oil enough in the reservoir. Cold oil is more prone to cavitation, worsening the problem.

There is not a lot of storage capacity in the tank so running low on oil is very easy. Usually what happens is since you don't need the down force side of the cylinders eventually the pump scavenges up what it can from the down side to operate the lift side. Shut it off and some oil will pool back into the down side of the system. I've seen it happen.

Janicholson · Dec 31, 2010

I believe you are correct!! Jim

M Diesel · Dec 31, 2010

(quoted from post at 08:46:15 12/31/10) I believe you are correct!! Jim

I just wish I didn't have so much experience on this one! :lol:

Changed out the MD hyd oil last summer, and there is no way to make that a pleasant experience.

M Diesel · Dec 31, 2010

By the way, by the time all was done on the oil change out it took over 10 gallons to flush it all out etc. That included the lifts, tilts, and three point.

DanR · Jan 1, 2011

If you have a lift-all pump stay with 20 or 30 ND. Other oils will work but not better and are way to expensive. If it's a live pump that's another story.

Color of my Hydraulc Oil? and a few other questions.

Fullers Farmalls

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Janicholson

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Nebraska Cowman

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Fullers Farmalls

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Janicholson

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47M

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mkirsch

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M Diesel

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Janicholson

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M Diesel

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M Diesel

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DanR

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