Change hydraulic fluid at 50 hrs or not?

[rjwerth]

i still cant believe that anyone would risk a 15-30,000 investment for the cost of hydraulic fluid. i changed both at 50 hrs.

There is no risk. There are filters and magnets to deal with the ick. The only real reason to change the fluid is if you think it can no longer pass through said filters or if you believe the anti wear properties have completely vanished. Now if the tractor had no filters like most small engines don't on their engine oil systems, then yes, I'd be changing that fluid (and do) pretty quickly.

 

[Hill Billy Bob]

++1 on that.I think it,s called being Cheap.LOL

Hey...I'm not cheap....just frugal(haha):laughing:....I bought a new Camaro in 2011, then found out thru the Camaro Forum I belong to, that they came from factory with a non magnetic drain plug in the oil pan...So with 393 miles on the odometer, I dumped the oil, installed a magnetic plug, and filled with new oil. Felt this needed to be done.

This past February, I bought a new Subaru Forester, same story, Forester Forum members said no magnetic drain plug...had 1100 miles on it when exchanged for new oil, and a magnetic drain plug. Felt this needed to be done. (Subaru says run it 7500 miles before changing)

Besides the above vehicles, I own and maintain....a 2009 Chevy Silverado, a 1966 Pontiac LeMans, a 150cc Motor Scooter, a 1999 BMW R1200C Motorcycle, a 2000 BMW R1200C Motorcycle,(all registered, insured and roadworthy) Then a 2007 Yamaha ATV, and a 2005 Cub Cadet LT1050, a rototiller, string trimmers, chain saws.... I have enough maintenance that NEEDS to be done.....Draining 8 gallons of hydraulic fluid after only 50 hrs. of use, not necessary....but....as I said before...it is your tractor...and it is your money....Have at it....Hill Billy Bob

 

[TomSeller]

Hey...I'm not cheap....just frugal(haha)

That is a great saying, I now have a new motto. By the way, did the magent drain plugs you installed on your cars collect much ferrous material?

 

[coobie]

Hey...I'm not cheap....just frugal(haha):laughing:....I bought a new Camaro in 2011, then found out thru the Camaro Forum I belong to, that they came from factory with a non magnetic drain plug in the oil pan...So with 393 miles on the odometer, I dumped the oil, installed a magnetic plug, and filled with new oil. Felt this needed to be done.

This past February, I bought a new Subaru Forester, same story, Forester Forum members said no magnetic drain plug...had 1100 miles on it when exchanged for new oil, and a magnetic drain plug. Felt this needed to be done. (Subaru says run it 7500 miles before changing)

Besides the above vehicles, I own and maintain....a 2009 Chevy Silverado, a 1966 Pontiac LeMans, a 150cc Motor Scooter, a 1999 BMW R1200C Motorcycle, a 2000 BMW R1200C Motorcycle,(all registered, insured and roadworthy) Then a 2007 Yamaha ATV, and a 2005 Cub Cadet LT1050, a rototiller, string trimmers, chain saws.... I have enough maintenance that NEEDS to be done.....Draining 8 gallons of hydraulic fluid after only 50 hrs. of use, not necessary....but....as I said before...it is your tractor...and it is your money....Have at it....Hill Billy Bob

I also have a saying, pay me now or pay a lot more later.LOL.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

I changed it at 50 as well, well a little over 50 actually more like 80 as that is what time permitted. I'm not sure if it was necessary and fluid is expensive but it is cheaper than doing damage to a new tractor by not changing it and having metal shavings and other garbage floating around in there for the next year or 2 before you reach 400 hours, at least that is how long it would take me to reach 400

A 50 hours breakin oil & filter change...both motor & hydraulics, is cheap insurance for many years to come.
I just did mine yesterday(MF 4608) 350$ worth of oil...I had the filters thrown in the deal when I bought.
Black
Did see metal shavings in the oil...and NO I would not put it back in like others do.

 

[Hill Billy Bob]

I'm just one of those people who doesn't care about, or for, his stuff....or how long it lasts....this is plain to see below....Hill Billy Bob



PS: My Pontiac is still powered by it's original 326 engine

 

[Coyote machine]

Changed the 2 hydro filters around 50hrs., again at 400hrs., haven't changed hydro fluid yet, at 600+ hours so far. Fluid on stick is clear like water. Did buy 2 5gal pails of Kioti brand UTF with wet brake, etc. recently for an upcoming fluid and filter change.
What did the hydro/HST expensive filter price jump to recently?
What kind of prices are you finding the filters at, at your dealers?

 

[rjwerth]

Changed the 2 hydro filters around 50hrs., again at 400hrs., haven't changed hydro fluid yet, at 600+ hours so far. Fluid on stick is clear like water. Did buy 2 5gal pails of Kioti brand UTF with wet brake, etc. recently for an upcoming fluid and filter change.
What did the hydro/HST expensive filter price jump to recently?
What kind of prices are you finding the filters at, at your dealers?

I believe my dealer is up to $91 now...A $10 increase.

 

[TomSeller]

At many oil change shops they offer recycled oil. Basically the oil removed from cars, with combustion contaminants removed, impurities filtered and additives added back in. They warranty it for use in new cars.

Hydraulic fluid does not have byproducts of combustion and I don't know that additives get used up. So what is wrong with removing impurities if you have the ability to filter it that fine, including separating off any water, etc? Or if you don't have any water in it and trust your ability to keep the magnet sludge out of the fluid, just pour it back in.

Me, I would rather put in factory fresh because I want to be sure, but see no issues with those who take the time to re use the fluid if doing it correctly. Go for it.

 

[dfkrug]

Hydraulic fluid does not have byproducts of combustion and I don't know that additives get used up.

Additive depletion is the biggest question, IMO. There are several threads on TBN on the subject of having
the hyd oil tested, as do the owners of long-haul big trucks (engine oil in the latter case).

So far, no one has been willing to pony up the $30 or so for an oil analysis. It may make more
economic sense to put that money into two 5-gallon buckets of THF, which is only about $10/gallon.
If you shop around.

One other thing: I save a lot of my used THF and use it as chainsaw bar oil. When this used 400-hr
oil sits around for a while, I notice LOTS of super-fine sediment, far more than the tiny amounts of
sediment that is at the bottom of the new THF buckets.