Hydraulic system diesel flush !

[Anonymous-0]

I have milky hydraulic oil.

Probably water contamination.

A friend told me to flush the hydraulic system with diesel fuel to clean system.

Is this advisible ? Could it damage seals ?

Thank you in advance

 

[RobMD]

no way would i ever run any kind of hydraulics with kerosene in the system. It"s okay in transmissions, but never in hydros. Just think about it.. you"re pressurizing a much, much lower viscosity fluid through the system... The seals will be washed off all their lubricating oil. Then, you"ve got new leaks everywhere.

I would just put new oil in it and a filter and use it like that for maybe a hundred hours before changing it again.

 

[RobMD]

I mean diesel fuel OR even Kerosene.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've flushed countless numbers of Fergusons and Massey Fergusons like that. Since they share a common supply of oil in tranny/rear end/hydraulics, it's impossible to flush one system without effecting the other. But. Those tractors do have a relatively low psi/low gpm system. And I DON'T operate under a load. Just cycle lift up and down a few times, ending up with it in the down position, the let it drip dry for several hours. Never had any ill effects and sometimes improved hydraulic performance. Under no conditions would I try this with a system containing wet brakes.

 

[Allan in NE]

Yep,

That's the prefered way if you have a lot of goo and water.

I use 10 gallon of diesel fuel, and run 'em around the yard for a half hour or so.

If I'm busy doing something else, I've jacked up one rear wheel and let 'em sit there and "stir" while spinning in road gear at an idle.

Doesn't hurt 'em a bit. Fact is, it really cleans everything out. Helps if ya can get the gear box good a hot first.

Only thing is, when your done, pull the plugs and let the rig "drip dry" over night to get all the diesel out.

Allan

 

[RobMD]

Okay, yeah, for older tractors but nothing like a 4020 or any other 30 year old hydrostatic tractor, because of the brakes and tighter clearances

 

[Anonymous-0]

Some of the Massey's I've flushed are quite a bit newer than the newest 4020's. And from what I here, and read (See Allan in NE post) some folks do newer, bigger tractors of all brands with no ill effects. Never owned a hydrostatic drive tractor, nor have I worked on one, so I can't say one way or another about them.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thank you,


Mine is also an all in one hydraulic and trany
model. I use TDH oil.

I guess it is hard to have a concensus on this one.

Every on seems to have a different opinion.

I wonder what shop owners/ Dealers do to clean the hydraulics.

Mine is really dirty , the filter/strainer is completely clogged with a thick beige slime.

Are there any dealer mechanics out there that could answer this one ?

Thank you all for taking your time to answer this one.

Hans

 

[paul]

Yea - it works real good at flushing the system.

On an old wore simple tractor it likely won't hurt anything. Not much to them, simple gears.

On a newer one with all-in-one tranny & hyd with special gears & oiled cross-shafts, you can do a lot of damage with practically no oil.

So, it depends some on the model of tractor you are talking about, and if you feel lucky or not.

--->Paul

 

[Old Ford Mechanic]

Been flushing with deisel oil for over 35 years.Flushed hydraulic systems that were slow or did not work at all and revived them.Deisel fuel flushing will not damage a hydraulic system,transmisson or rear end if done correctly.I would keep it out of hydrostat systems.It cleans them out and still leaves an oil film on the componets until you add new oil.I flush out all brands of tractors too.Just like changing oil and not the filter,if you don,t get the moisture and dirt out you're defeating the purpose.I'm sure some won't agree but years of experience have proven to me that it does good.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thank you these replies,

I am not sure what is hydrostat systems.

I have a late 40s David Brown
(not sure of model)

http://hanspelmo.freehostia.com/Index.html

Probably no hydrostat !

I will proceed with a Diesel flush but put NO stress on machine.

Filter was thoroughly cleaned with Diesel and compressed air.

Thanks again

 

[Old Ford Mechanic]

Hans your tractor has no hydrostat componets.The flush with deisel will work for you.Just fill the resevoirs to the proper level with deisel and operate the machine for a few minutes,long enough for it to warm up.Operate the hydraulic controls and even move it around in the lower gears if you want.Then,just drain it out and refill with fresh oil.You will be amazed at what the deisel fuel flushes out of the tractor.Just strain the fuel through a cloth to find out.Pour some in a glass container and see the water seperate from the fuel.Good maintenance means longer life for your machine.

 

[wavpro]

noticed your advice on flushing hydrolics. I just bought my first tractor which is a 1990 John Deere 2555. A friend, thought to be experienced pulled the brake line off accidentally while driving. He put some brake fluid in. I'd say 2 quarts or so. He ran it for about 10 minutes. I'm worried after viewing info online to say the least. I drained off most of the fluid (6 to 7 gallons). But I want to flush the system. Any advise is helpful. I've ordered the owners manual. There is no info online how to even service a john deere tractor. If you could give me step by step instructions I would appreciate it so much. Also, the hydrolic fluid drained is a darker color although clear on the stick. Has what a call a smokey smell. But I'm not familiar with hydrolic oil. thanks. It was running perfectly before the incident mentioned. Thanks for your time!

 

[Tx Jim]

wavpro
If I was you I would change hyd filter and check/clean sump screen(parts key #30). I would not flush your tractor with diesel or kerosene.

 

[wavpro]

Tx Jim quoted from post at 10:19:05 01/26/14)
wavpro
If I was you I would change hyd filter and check/clean sump screen(parts key #30). I would not flush your tractor with diesel or kerosene.


thanks for the info. I will definitely clean the sump screen. Thanks!

1 Where did you get this diagram and info?

2 I still need to know the procedure to drain the fluid. I watched one guy on youtube and he raised his front end loader (which I have) to drain, but the video was veg and I couldn't tell if he braced the bucket.

3 Where are the plugs and filter located? I'm also going to change the oil.

4 I also need to bleed the brakes. I've done this on automobiles, but clueless where to start with the tractor.

5 I have ordered an owner's manual but it's been delayed somewhat. Are there any books, vids or info you can direct me to. I have very little mechanical knowledge, but looking to learn enough to take care and maintain this tractor. Thanks so much for the reply!

 

[Tx Jim]

One of the trans oil drain plug(parts key #18) is at the bottom of the parts photo I posted earlier. You can access the parts photos at JDparts.com

Hyd filter from JD AR75603 Filter Element ADD 7.96 USD