Can I change hydraulic filter without draining fluid?

[Tx Jim]

The concept is great - if you can fabricate a system that will work. In my case it could mean - not having to catch 16+ gallons of hydraulic fluid and then getting it back into the tranny. Unfortunately - my experience also shows - you wouldn't be staring at an ever growing puddle of hydraulic fluid.

You must have owned a shop vacuum similar to type I've heard previously about that could suck a golf ball through a garden hose!

 

[oosik]

TX Jim - - yeah - it probably was that kind, at one time. After I got done with it - it was just part of a big mess. I was in complete shock at the mess being created AND there was only one person to blame................

 

[Tx Jim]

oosik
Since you owned such a ""powerful shop vac"" you probably should have had an assistant hold nozzle close to hyd filler hole so as to only create a slight vacuum so hyd oil wouldn't get sucked into your shop vacuum.

 

[oosik]

Tx Jim
It would have helped if I knew what the heck I was doing too. I though the electrical tape around the nozzle would prevent it being pulled in - - not so.

 

[Tx Jim]

Thanks for your explanation about utilizing electrical tape to seal nozzle to opening. Creating a vacuum in trans case & totally sealing area between vacuum hose nozzle & hyd filler neck are 2 totally different approaches. BUT IMHO even if vacuum nozzle is sealed tight in hyd filler neck once hyd oil is pulled back from filter mounting area that allows air to freely enter oil reservoir it will require a high powered sucking machine to pull oil out of reservoir unless nozzle opening is within """very,very close proximity of the oil""". By chance did you turn on vacuum then have difficulty loosening filter? I ask because some filters I've removed have been extremely difficult to loosen.

 

[oosik]

Tx Jim - I had the vacuum running - of course - before I loosened/removed the hydraulic filters. It was removal of the OEM filters - so, as usual, they were a real bear - but they did come off. I never got to find out if the vacuum would have created enough "suck" to hold back the hydraulic fluid from running out the hole where the one filter was removed. The nozzle took a death dive into the fluid and the games began.

The hot hydraulic fluid made the paper filter in the vacuum "wilt" almost like it was made of wax. When that nozzle took its death dive - things went to Hades in a hand basket - real quick.

I can laugh about it now because I know - for certain - that I will not try that magic trick again - - ever.

The electrical tape around the nozzle sealed real well - it just didn't hold the nozzle in position real well. Could have also been the heat of the tranny casting getting to the electrical tape.

Whatever - I should have gotten a "Rube Goldberg" award for that performance. I'm just glad I was the only person there. This would have been the kind of story your great, great grandchildren would have told in the dark of night - around campfires.

 

[Diggin It]

I guess my plan is to try and break the filter loose first, then keep it tight enough not to leak until I get the hose in place. IF I decide to try that. Maybe.

Unless I have to crush the filter, which I hope doesn't happen.


Probably need to have a big drain pan in place, just in case. And I'm still not sure if I need to take the left rear tire off. Being loaded with RimGuard I sure hope I don't.

 

[Diggin It]

*** CHANGE *** Your Fluid!!!!


I did mine today and it was quite a bit more grey and cloudy that I expected. Not horrible, but like others have said, for the price, it beats the possible alternatives.

 

[Tx Jim]

Tx Jim - I had the vacuum running - of course - before I loosened/removed the hydraulic filters. It was removal of the OEM filters - so, as usual, they were a real bear - but they did come off. I never got to find out if the vacuum would have created enough "suck" to hold back the hydraulic fluid from running out the hole where the one filter was removed. The nozzle took a death dive into the fluid and the games began.

The hot hydraulic fluid made the paper filter in the vacuum "wilt" almost like it was made of wax. When that nozzle took its death dive - things went to Hades in a hand basket - real quick.

I can laugh about it now because I know - for certain - that I will not try that magic trick again - - ever.

The electrical tape around the nozzle sealed real well - it just didn't hold the nozzle in position real well. Could have also been the heat of the tranny casting getting to the electrical tape.

Whatever - I should have gotten a "Rube Goldberg" award for that performance. I'm just glad I was the only person there. This would have been the kind of story your great, great grandchildren would have told in the dark of night - around campfires.

Your explanation explains why your vacuum sucked oil but doesn't mean the same thing will happen to other folks that decide to attempt a hyd filter change utilizing a vacuum. Personally I'd much rather change hyd filters on my JD 4255 compared to my Kubota M7040 as removing both hyd filters on JD one only looses the amount of oil each filter holds. .

 

[oosik]

Tx Jim - NO - I think that story regarding the ability to suck a golf ball thru a garden hose relates to feats accomplished by the late Marilyn Monroe. And perhaps the late President Kennedy started that story - YAH-HE. Ripped right off the pages of the New York Times. :laughing: :laughing: