Changing Hydraulic Filters

[Mrwurm]

Ok, mike, you're convincing me that I should change my hydraulic fluid as well. It tool me a full year to get to 50 hours, so, if I wait for 300 hours to change my fluids, that will be 5 more years. I think I should'nt wait that long to get the manufacturing debris out of the system.

I know; why do I have only 50 hours after one year? I use a dedicated mower to cut my grass and just use the tractor for occassional landscaping and snow removal. I put about 50 hours per season on my mower.

 

[spencer200]

Ford always reccomened this oil change at 50 hours this is why a lot of dealers still reccomend this. New Holland has pulled away from this idea of needing to change the fluids by using smaller micron filters than where used on the earlier ford tractors, at our dealership we still reccomend the 50 hour oil change just for the assurance and peace of mind 50-60 dollars worth of oil is worth, dont you think! after spending all that money on the tractor. I have never personally understood this concept from my customers to spend all this money on a tractor and then skimp on maintance! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[MikePA]

spencer200, sounds like you and my dealer, Messicks in Elizabethtown, PA (also in Abottstown, PA) think alike! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mrwurm]

Ok, my dealer is about 30 miles away and I don't generally go in that direction. They will ship oil and filters, but it's kinda heavy and costly to ship. Should I make the trip to get NH 134 hydraulic oil (8.8 gallons) or should I use the stuff at Tractor Supply (TSC) that they claim meets NH specs? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[MikePA]

Jerry, my dealer, both locations, is about as far away. I make a list of what I need, call them to make sure they have everything in stock, they set it aside so it's ready when I arrive.

Living in SE Michigan you might want to consider the F200 hyd oil. I think I recall reading here on TBN that if you experience excessive hydro noise when everything is cold (Winter) switching to F200 will solve this problem, right spencer200? This is what I plan on doing this fall.

 

[spencer200]

yeah that is right!

 

[Mrwurm]

I have heard of the cold-weather problems with hydros and cold fluid. I keep my tractor in the garage and did not experience this problem myself last winter. I have noticed that I have significantly less hydraulic power to the loader until the system warms up, but do not consider this a big deal. so,.........

1) Can I use the F200 hydraulic oil year round?
2) Does F200 have any disadvantages?
>>>>Shorter life?
>>>>Unsuitable for summer use?
>>>>More expensive?

Thanks for the help /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mrwurm]

Update!!!!

Actually called my dealer!!!

I talked to the service manager and he said I don't need the cold-weather fluid for three reasons:

1) I park my tractor in the garage and it does'nt get cold enough to need the F200 fluid.

2) Hydros heat up the fluid much quicker and run much warmer than gear-drive machines.

3) He does'nt stock it. (not a very good reason)

Thoughts?

 

[MikePA]

According to the manual, F200 can be used year round. The only downside (I think), is it costs more. Don't know how much more though.

No offense to your dealer, but I'd bet he thought of the first 2 reasons you listed in the other post after he thought of the 3rd reason! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Since you didn't have the problem, it's probably not worth it. I mentioned it because changing the hyd fluid is (1) Messy (2) Not done often. So, now would be the time to do it.

I was even thinking of using Amsoil synthetic hyd fluid when I change mine. This past winter, I did have the noise. It sounds horrible. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif My TC25D sits in a garage as well.

 

[TC18guy]

I'm planning to switch to the F200 myself this Fall. My TC18 sits in the garage as well and I also get the noise. It usually went away after 10-15 mins. But I also get it now occasionaly too.