Hydrolic Top up?

Jeff_fergy20 · Nov 12, 2010

Hoping for a little advice on this one. Bought a te 20 this spring and really just got to know her throughout the summer months. Gave it a little regular maintence earlier and now wondering if i can simply top up the hydrolic fluid rather than do an entire change. having said that, what should/could i use acting on the assumption that its the proper oil in there now. I guess what i"m asking is if its okay that the fluid is mixed?

I live in northern Ontario where its snowy and cold and want to use her to push some snow around this winter. also, what type of lubricant/fluid does it take for the steering mechanism...couldn"t find anything on that in old posts.
Thanks in advance.
Jeff

Richard L · Nov 12, 2010

IF you don't have time now you could mix the oils. In the spring you should change the oil. When you do, look in the archives for a cleaning hydraulics procedure by Jeff-Oh so you know that the inside is cleaned then you can fill it up with 6 gallons of 15w30 motor oil. This is better than the original oil and so it will be better for your tractor. In the steering case many are using a corn head grease which is a very thick oil or very thin grease and it won't run past the seals on the steering arms as easy if the seals are not up to snuff.

Jerry/MT · Nov 12, 2010

One of the big problems with the hydraulic system oil is condensation. Water gets in the oil and settles in the bottom where it freezes. If you have any in the pump components they can be damaged.
If I were going to change the fluid it would be in the fall and I"d makes sure that I got as much of the water out as possible. Jeff(OH)"s clean out instructions are a good place to start. They are in the archives.

Jeff_fergy20 · Nov 15, 2010

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice. After i run the PTO for a bit, there's no milky-ness in the fluid (checking the dipstick) and I've never seen any sign of leaking right where the PTO comes out of the tractor itself. Is it safe to assume that its relatively free of moisture?

Thanks again,
Jeff

Jerry/MT · Nov 18, 2010

If the fluid isn"t milky, it dosn"t have water in suspension. It can still collect water in the bottom of the sump.
Open the drain plugs (individually) momentarily when the tractor is cold and catch some fluid and see if there is water in the sample. It can be done but you have to be quick.

Jeff_fergy20 · Nov 19, 2010

I had an old Johnson outboard that had leaky lower unit. Changing that oil involved a very simmilar process.... thanks

Hydrolic Top up?

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