Anyone DIY dye their hydro oil?

[dadohead]

I wonder why they don't just dye the damn stuff at the factory, like ATF! It's so clear it's really hard to see.

I retired from Deere in '16. I remember corporate saying then that the new J20D coming would have a florescent dye in it that would glow under black light. A check station was going into all the assembly lines to look for leaks? Not sure if it happened though.

 

[Runner]

Whatever type of red dye JD puts in from the factory sure smells good. Looks and smells like Grenadine. I wonder if the DIY dye Deere sells smells like the factory stuff?

If so, I might put some in just for the sensory experience during handling.

 

[WinterDeere]

How’s it taste?

 

[Runner]

How’s it taste?

I would try some in a Rum Runner but Grenadine is cheaper...

 

[Fallon]

I used half the JD dye bottle in my L3200 years ago & it worked well. I made sure to tell the guy I sold it to it wasn't ATF.

I went to use the last half of the bottle a while later, couple years maybe, & it was all dried out. I tossed it rather than try to scrape out the residue. I've been meaning to get more for my now 6 ish year old L4060, but never have.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

If/when it dries out, just add a little hydraulic fluid ... Good as new!

 

[CliffordK]

Would it hurt just to add some ATF? It is rather similar to hydraulic oil, or may well be a grade of hydraulic oil.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but ... No, I'd not use ATF in either reconstitution or the dye, or just to color the hydraulic oil ...

I'm not an engineer, but I'm guessing there is a good reason they make both ATF and hydraulic fluid ...

What I don't understand is why the JD stuff dries out? Is it water based? If so it's surprising to me that you would intentionally add that to your hydraulic system! (Maybe it's not enough to matter?

 

[Shawn T. W.]

This is strange ... This is a screenshot of the above post ... Why does it need moderator approval?

 

[WinterDeere]

This is strange ... This is a screenshot of the above post ... Why does it need moderator approval?

View attachment 4281689

Advertisers have forced the forum management was forced to add word filters that flag potential hot-topic posts. Since AT_ = Alcohol Tobacco F-arms, the software is going to flag your post... as it probably will mine.