HST Oil Change: Fact or Fiction?

[ray66v]

Yes, I'm sure that's what he was thinking but you have bigger problems than a 400hr oil change if you have water leaking into your hydraulics.

It's not so much water leaking in, on a newer tractor, although that can be a concern.

There is a possibility of condensation accumulating in there, under certain conditions.

 

[IslandTractor]

It's not so much water leaking in, on a newer tractor, although that can be a concern. There is a possibility of condensation accumulating in there, under certain conditions.

But condensation can occur in the barn too unless it's heated

 

[ray66v]

But condensation can occur in the barn too unless it's heated

Yes it can, but not to the extent it could, or would, outside.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, I'm sure that's what he was thinking but you have bigger problems than a 400hr oil change if you have water leaking into your hydraulics.

True that. Pretty common on older tractors, not so common on new equipment.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes it can, but not to the extent it could, or would, outside.

Yeah, especially here in the midwest. The temperature of the metal on the machine may change several degrees many times in a day of unsettled weather due to sunshine changes alone.

My old all metal machine shed proves that during a partly cloudy day while my machinery is protected in it's shade.

 

[vsteel]

I always change the fluid because the manufacturer says so. There are examples where in the past manufactures have said, oh you don't need to change this fluid because it is sealed and then had to change that recommendation because it caused failures. The fluid does get contamination from wet clutches (PTO) brakes and most tractors use the HST fluid in any implements you hook to. Not to mention the gears and bearings have a shearing action which breaks down the oil.

 

[txdon]

Does anyone worry about cross over contamination with the implements that share the same fluid, grapples, backhoes, etc . . . ., anything with a hydraulic cylinder, - that fluid will be going through your transmission with HST.

 

[IslandTractor]

Does anyone worry about cross over contamination with the implements that share the same fluid, grapples, backhoes, etc . . . ., anything with a hydraulic cylinder, - that fluid will be going through your transmission with HST.

I don't rent or borrow implements nor do I loan mine out so the fluid is all the same.

 

[4570Man]

It's not so much water leaking in, on a newer tractor, although that can be a concern. There is a possibility of condensation accumulating in there, under certain conditions.

That's the least of your worries. The sun ruins everything it touches. The building I keep my tractor in leaks pretty bad, but at least it offers UV protection.

 

[newbury]

Other than parking, I rarely use the brakes on my B26 so I wouldn't worry too much about that. I really doubt that a properly stored (inside enclosed structure) tractor would ever wear out the oil or additives in hydraulic oil. There is not outside contamination on tractors with no remote outlets and if you don't use equipment from neighbors, even with remotes there is not much likelihood of cross contamination of oil. That being said, the changing of fluids in most folks CUTs every 400 hours or so is not that great of an expense that it couldn't be done on the recommended interval especially if doing it yourself so the only expense is the materials used.

Personally I put maybe 75 hours per year on my B26 so an oil change every 5 years or so is not going to break the bank.

Yet many mfg's state to change oil every xxx hours or by a calendar schedule such as annually.
And many here on TBN have advised others to be sure to change their oils annually, usually with the comment "fluid is cheap compared to repair".

Last used vehicle purchased was a GM product.
Had all fluids changed* including transmission fluid mainly for assurance and also to see any contaminants.
Big surprise to me was no provisions were there to drain the transmission other than removing the pan.<snip>

Both my 7.3L Fords require dropping the pan to change transmission fluid.

Like I keep writing, Trust but verify. If it's out of warranty period get an UOA and know what is happening.