50 hour maintenance complete not what I expected...

[Stix]

Well I read alot more than I type on these forums. I been reading alot on what to do for the 50 hour maintenance and how everyone says their oil is clean and hydro fluid is clear with little shavings. Well my experience was disheartening. When I changed the oil it was black. The hydro oil was not clear and looked like mercury swirling in the hydro fluid. The front end was the same. I am a bit nervous after seeing how many people say not to change it and it will be fine just do filters.. Mine was definitely not fine. I would never have thought it would be this bad. I am not sure why mine was this bad. I am feeling like it was worse than it should have been according to alot of posts on here and others experiences. This is my first brand new tractor and I feel as if I may have gotten a poorly done tractor. Is my experience normal or should there be a concern?

Of course I cannot read every single thread so I thought I would toss this out there and see.

 

[grsthegreat]

when i changed my oil at 50 hours, the engine oil was kinda dark. heck...ive never changed oil in a diesel when it wasnt kinda dark.

my hydro fluid was clearish yellow colored. though.

heck...the oil in my ford and dodge dieselsl gets dark in about 200-300 miles after oil change. nmot black.,,, but definitely darker..

 

[Stix]

That makes me feel better. My hydro was yellow with metal swirls. The oil was a dark dark brown. Well the best part is the 50 hour is done!! I can get back to work and clearing the drive of snow. Took longer than I thought but glad it is over with. Thanks for the reply.

 

[oosik]

For 25 years I had a little Ford 1700 and when I changed the engine oil every year it was black, black as india ink. The hydraulic fluid would get very dark brown - almost like coffee. Now on my Kubota - both the engine oil and hydraulic fluid look brand new when I change them.

The first time you change the hydraulic fluid - you are very likely to get metal flakes etc, etc. All the metal parts are seating in and some amount of metal is bound to wear off in this process.

BTW - you need to update your profile and tell us what brand your new tractor is.

 

[Stix]

Ok on your kubota the oil and hydraulic fluid on the first change was like brand new? That makes me feel not so much better. Hmm I dunno what to think. Updated profile

 

[xring100]

Well I read alot more than I type on these forums. I been reading alot on what to do for the 50 hour maintenance and how everyone says their oil is clean and hydro fluid is clear with little shavings. Well my experience was disheartening. When I changed the oil it was black. The hydro oil was not clear and looked like mercury swirling in the hydro fluid. The front end was the same. I am a bit nervous after seeing how many people say not to change it and it will be fine just do filters.. Mine was definitely not fine. I would never have thought it would be this bad. I am not sure why mine was this bad. I am feeling like it was worse than it should have been according to alot of posts on here and others experiences. This is my first brand new tractor and I feel as if I may have gotten a poorly done tractor. Is my experience normal or should there be a concern?

Of course I cannot read every single thread so I thought I would toss this out there and see.

My hydro filter magnets were completely covered in probably an 1/8" of fines at 50 hours i was concerned also. At 300 hours there was far far less. Glad it gets stopped before going through the pump.

Discoloration of the engine oil doesn't bother me.
I Also saw lots of shiny stuff in the front axle oil.
The magnet on gear box drain plug of my goldwing had a lot of fines at 4000 miles.

 

[s219]

I wouldn't be concerned about dark engine oil -- that is to be expected in my opinion.

At least on my Kubotas, while there was silver sludge on the drain plugs and magnets, the hydraulic fluid itself was very clear at 50 hours. On my L3200, there is a sight glass to see the fluid level right near the left footwell, and that always has looked clear to me. Be interesting to see if it changes color as I get towards the 400 hour level where the fluid is supposed to be changed.

 

[s219]

Also should ask, where were you looking at the hydraulic fluid to see the contamination? Did you change out all the fluid, or were you just looking at what was trapped in the filter?

 

[Stix]

All of it in the 5 gallon buckets. It was yellow with a silverish tint when stirred

 

[xring100]

I wouldn't be concerned about dark engine oil -- that is to be expected in my opinion.

At least on my Kubotas, while there was silver sludge on the drain plugs and magnets, the hydraulic fluid itself was very clear at 50 hours. On my L3200, there is a sight glass to see the fluid level right near the left footwell, and that always has looked clear to me. Be interesting to see if it changes color as I get towards the 400 hour level where the fluid is supposed to be changed.

Agreed the hydro fluid on mine at 300 hours at the time of filter swap looked just like it did going in new