Starting tractor with out hydraulic fluid

nboost

Member
Im looking at a MF35 deluxe that has had the side cover off the hydraulics. There is water in there. I am wondering if I can still start the engine to see if it runs without hydraulic fluid in the rear. I dont plan on driving it but I want to start the engine.

The gentleman that owed the tractor passed away so the family is trying to sale it.
 

You posted you know it has water in it, not the right fluid in it. You don't own it, so I say NO, don't start it with water in it. You risk damaging the pump, gears and bearings of someone else's tractor. If you were the owner, that would be your choice to make (I wouldn't if it was mine). Why was the side cover off, would be one of my questions. JMHO
 
Water would be at the bottom of the housing since oil floats. pull both plugs, on on the bottom rear housing, the other under the tranny. Try to drain only the water.

If it looks milky just drain it all and get 7gallons of new oil GL1 oil or 80w90 gear oil, that would be approx $150.

Good chance you will find metal shavings, old tools someone left in there :) Some people flush it out with diesel, but I didn't want to change the viscosity of my new oil.

As long as you have oil up to the bottom hole of the inspection covers, just put a bolt in the bottom, that should be approx 5 to 6 gallons, fill slowly from hole near the shift levers.

Then you can start the tractor to see any leaks from the top 3pt or excessive bubbling from the relief valve. Some movement is normal. DO NOT STICK YOUR HANDS IN THERE!
 
(quoted from post at 22:52:48 08/03/20)
You posted you know it has water in it, not the right fluid in it. You don't own it, so I say NO, don't start it with water in it. You risk damaging the pump, gears and bearings of someone else's tractor. If you were the owner, that would be your choice to make (I wouldn't if it was mine). Why was the side cover off, would be one of my questions. JMHO

Not sure why the side cover was off. The gentleman that owned it passed away. He Was working on it when he passed.
 

I know there was an issue with the hydraulics, but that is not the same oil that is used in the engine. Im wanting to start the engine to make sure that is okay.
 

I went ahead & bought it. I figured it was worth $800. Wheels & tires are good & the son said it was running when he passed away.
 
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Looking at your picture of it, I would have picked it up for $800 as well without even starting it. Change all the fluids and see what she does! Good luck.

Dan
 
(quoted from post at 18:35:21 08/04/20) Looking at your picture of it, I would have picked it up for $800 as well without even starting it. Change all the fluids and see what she does! Good luck.

Dan

Wheels & tires are good, sheet metal is good, engine turns over by hand, & engine oil looks good. Not sure why he had the hydraulic side cover off in the rear but even if I have to repair that I think its an okay purchase.
 

So is it okay to start the engine without hydraulic fluid in the rear? I want to see if the engine runs before I sink money into this.
 

I would not recommend running a system that is supposed to have oil in it dry, unless I didn't care if I destroyed it, so I say no. Putting cheap oil or even the so called 303 fluid in it will work to start it and run for a few minutes, that is better than nothing. In the end, its yours now, you can start it dry if you really think that is a good idea.
 
(quoted from post at 22:54:00 08/05/20)
I would not recommend running a system that is supposed to have oil in it dry, unless I didn't care if I destroyed it, so I say no. Putting cheap oil or even the so called 303 fluid in it will work to start it and run for a few minutes, that is better than nothing. In the end, its yours now, you can start it dry if you really think that is a good idea.

Okay, you talked some since into me. Ill get some cheap hydraulic fluid & put it in.
 

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