Vintage tractor hydraulic fluid

[dieseldave56]

Hello; new to the forum.

My question stems from the lack of information available to me concerning the hydraulic fluid used in the Lull front shovel loader on my 1950 Case model DI.

My Case manuals indicate that SAE 30 is recomended for hydraulics but what appears to be AW 32 or 46 is in the tractor from the previous owner , God rest his soul. The operation of the front loader is fine but there is some weeping from the lift cylinders packing glands .

Climate temperatures at this location vary from -20 to 90 degrees, operating temperatures would be more in the range of 20 to 80 degrees.

So two questions: Is the AW hydralic fluid acceptable for vintage hydraulics? And what is a source for the cylinder packing gland seals?

[Soundguy]

Check with a hyds shop on the seals... You'd be surprised to find that common chevron replacement packing is available. i just had some 50's/60's vintage loader rams resealed a while back. I figured they'd have to order seals. i dropped off the rams,a nd headed back home.. got home 45minutes later and there was a call on my answering machine... cy;s were done and ready to be picke dup.. go figure.

As for oil.. if it wanted 30wt.. I'd use the aw46 given your temp range.. that or UTF fluid. All but one of my tractors is 'vintage....

soundguy

[art]

Engine oil being used in hydraulic systems is not new and some older tractors as well as gray market compacts use gear oil for the hydraulic fluid.

Thinner hydraulic oil used on newer tractors might enhance your hydraulic leaks.

[dieseldave56]

Thanks Art and Soundguy for your responce and insight. I was aware that many fluids could and have been used in hydraulic systems ( the hydrostatic /power steering fluid in my diesel motor coach uses ATF). Also that the viscosity could be a factor in the low pressure weeping at the packing glands. ( I did call the son of the previous owner and he looked thru the garage and could only find a five (5) gallon container of AW 32).

I plan on changing all the fluids and filters today, an upgrading the hydraulic fluid to AW46 before proceeding with seals , as the cylinders operate well.

There aren't any hydraulic shops close , within 100 miles anyway. So I'll take the dimensions and continue to try on-line for packing gland seals.

Again , thanks for the input.

[Soundguy]

Good luck.

Hope you have a heady work bench and vice to remov ethe packing nuts.. etc. I do lots of my own work.. but pretty much draw the line at rebuilding hyd cyls.. i just don't have the right tools for it..

soundguy

[dieseldave56]

Soundguy, the packing glands are not like the newer cylinders that are threaded into the cylinder, but have two studs that pass thru the 'ears' of piece ( kinda like a old Chevy thermostat housing) that fits and presses into the seal 's recess in the cylinder. Really not a problem at all and I don't need that special spanner wrench. These are the simplest design I've seen.
DD

[Soundguy]

I think it is not an old / new issue.. I have plenty of threaded on vintage cyls...

soundguy

[dieseldave56]

I'll bow to your experience Soundguy, as these are the oldest hydraulic cylinders that I've had hands-on education with. The hydraulics on my motorcoach(s) , the hydraulics that I installed on lowrider Chebbies in the late '60s and the hyrdaulic Rotary auto lift in my garage are the extent of my experiences.

But these packing glands and cylinders in general appear to be easy to rebuild.

Soundguy, I'm curious how you derived your handle.

DD

[Soundguy]

My point was, that the individual gland design will vary more base don manufacturer and less by age. As i mentioned.. i have vintage 50's / 60's cyls wit the threaded on gland..etc.

I moonlight as a sound engineer.

soundguy