1971 JD500b - Borrowed to Neighbor who put in wrong hydraulic fluid

[YooperJim]

No good deed goes unpunished. Borrowed my 1971 JD500 loader/backhoe to neighbor for several days. It had very few hydraulic leaks mainly only on the loader valve a pressure relief valve would weep. Nothing serious. Neighbor returned unit and made comment a little leaky but runs great. Didn't think much at the time. A few weeks later went to use the unit and saw a 1/2 empty 5 gallon pail of hydraulic fluid in the cab (Gold brand something) and realized the neighbor used this to top of the hydraulics. I do not believe it is the universal 303 fluid that is required for this unit - which i have used religiously since owned for the past 15 years. Yikes. Started up the unit and immediately noticed a steady stream of hydraulic fluid coming out of the hydraulic pump area. Upon further investigation looks like it is leaking at the hydraulic drive shaft bearing. I then checked the overflow line which was returning a steady stream to the hydraulic reservoir (which normally was only a steady trickle).

My question now is how do i completely rid the unit of hydraulic fluid and get it back to JD 303 specs before beginning to work on the hydraulic pump leak (note: have not noticed a degradation in performance or other leaks yet)? If i simply drain the hydraulic reservoir and change filters what about the remaining fluid in in the system/pistons/brakes/steering etc.? Ugh.

 

[jeff9366]

Look at the five gallon can of hydraulic fluid then tell us what brand and grade it is.


There are several well regarded brands of liquids sold to stop small hydraulic leaks. I have no personal experience with these additives so I will leave it to others to discuss pros and cons.

VENDERS: hydraulic leak stop - Google Search

 

[RNeumann]

I’m guessing a 1971 tractor will work fine with about anything labeled hydraulic fluid. I wouldn’t worry about it- make the repair and carry on.

To answer your question......you can’t realistically get it all out. Even a “full” service is only getting 75% or so.

 

[Tx Jim]

Welcome to TBN
JD 500B requires hyd oil that is wet brake/clutch compatible. I agree with Jeff in needing to know spec's of "Gold Brand" oil to make an accurate reply. I'm not a fan of hyd leak stop concoctions especially on closed center hyd systems such as the 500B.

 

[Texasmark]

The 303 spec is UTF before all the newer whistles and bells came out, like hydro tranny, hydro steering, wet brakes, electrically operated, clutch pack Independent PTO and all that you find in newer model (I think the industry crossover is 1974 year model) tractors. My 3910 is an '88 model has wet brakes and manual clutch pack Ind. PTO so I use a mix of UTF and Premium UTF...seems to work ok.

The older Fords get UTF the Bransons get Premium UTF......same with engine oil, older get 15w-40 dino, the Bransons 5w-40 syn......I guess my system works, my 1963 2000D has around 3800 original hours/original Proofmeter still functioning, with no wrenches on engine proper and main drive line to speak of. Had it for so long I forget in which decade it was purchased used.

The contents herein are opinionated, and based upon personal experiences!

 

[Tx Jim]

The 303 spec is UTF before all the newer whistles and bells came out, like hydro tranny, hydro steering, wet brakes, electrically operated, clutch pack Independent PTO and all that you find in newer model (I think the industry crossover is 1974 year model) tractors. My 3910 is an '88 model has wet brakes and manual clutch pack Ind. PTO so I use a mix of UTF and Premium UTF...seems to work ok.
!

Mark
You're statement isn't 100% correct. 303 hyd oil was introduced for 10 series JD tractors of which the rowcrop tractors(3010/4010) had wet disc brakes & hydro steering. The following model utilty tractors(1020/2020) that utilized 303 hyd oil had hyd wet disc brakes,hyd pto clutches & hyd hi-lo wet clutches. Technically 303 has been replaced/updated with oil called Hy-gard that meets J20C spec's. Hyd oil that meets 303 spec's should be fine for a JD 500B but oil that meets Hy-gard spec's should be better.
Happy New Year,Jim

 

[Oldoak]

And it may not have anything to do with the "off brand" hydraulic oil your neighbor put in. Possibly it just so happened that what ever happened to cause those little leaks finally gave out completely. :confused3:

Being you have the can and all the necessary information, search the internet for the Specs on that oil and see how they compare with 303.

 

[Texasmark]

Mark
You're statement isn't 100% correct. 303 hyd oil was introduced for 10 series JD tractors of which the rowcrop tractors(3010/4010) had wet disc brakes & hydro steering. The following model utilty tractors(1020/2020) that utilized 303 hyd oil had hyd wet disc brakes,hyd pto clutches & hyd hi-lo wet clutches. Technically 303 has been replaced/updated with oil called Hy-gard that meets J20C spec's. Hyd oil that meets 303 spec's should be fine for a JD 500B but oil that meets Hy-gard spec's should be better.
Happy New Year,Jim

My "opinionated" reply has been updated. Grin. I pretty much (here goes another opinion) figure that all tractors are made from the same type components and when an oil has 30 different specs listed as being compatible, it pretty much sets the stage....with me anyway. I had the 4010 and since forgot about both, recalling at the time having them.

HNY to you too. You floating down there yet? Lots of crops up here that could be fed out if you could get into the field to harvest. Be a long time before we dry up....at least we aren't having floods like some folks.

 

[Tx Jim]

It's very wet here. One best not venture off the beaten trail for risk of getting stuck. Same here several fields could have been harvested except for over abundance of rain.

 

[YooperJim]

Thanks for all the great replies. Took a bit to get back out and look at the oil. Enclosed are two pics and the only spec sheet I could find. Nothing really said about "universal" fluid. Looks like it might be a low-grade DoItBest product. Any thoughts greatly anticipated.

Jim