Curious about possible hydraulic contamination from sharing implements?

[dbchaplin03]

Just sold a 35hp Kioti tractor and bought a new L6060 that should be here in the next week or two. I have two different grapples that only got used on my Kioti but I kept to use on my Kubota.

Thought about disconnecting the hoses and draining the fluid since Kioti uses different hydraulic fluid and trying to get as much out of the cylinders as I can before using them on my new L series.

Am I being paranoid?

I hear of people renting hydraulic implements for their tractors with 3rd function but it makes me cringe because I know how sensitive hydrostats can be to contamination.

 

[k0ua]

I run Kubota SUDT2 in my Kioti because I believe it to be a superior cold weather fluid. I wouldn't worry much about swapping between a Kioti and a Kubota. The small amount of fluid in going from the Kioti to the Kubota is not enough to matter, The fluids are compatible. Now as far as borrowing things and doing that a lot, well you don't know where that implement has been!. You sure would have to hope you filter would "get" it. Kind of like visiting the local "house". Not sure who has been there before you. But two tractors that you own, and know are not full of dirt and/or water or metal shavings, you are probably going to do just fine by "swapping bodily fluids" there.

 

[MHarryE]

You are right to be concerned but if you serviced your Kioti well, there will be no problem. I have 3 Kubotas that all use the same grapple but have different oil. My L6060 uses SUDT2. My SVL75-2 uses AW46. My M7-171 uses an oil unheard of except in M7s - UDT-HD. Kubota is adamant that only UDT-HD be used in the M7 even though the same ZF continuously variable transmission is used in other tractor brands. So cross contamination is going to happen. If you think your grapple situation is bad, think of my large disk with 3 very large cylinders for the wheels and wings, probably 5 - 10 gallons, being swapped between my M7 and my nephew’s old International 4wd that has so many leaks they put in several gallons of the cheapest ag hydraulic fluid available daily. It’s nasty but ground conditions got so bad with my mfwd tractor that we needed to switch to his 8 wheel tractor to get the work done and keep fingers crossed on the oil transfer.

 

[CADplans]

The real problem occurred years ago, when large planters (like 20 row) were rented to farmers,
and used behind different brands of tractors.

The planters had LOTS of oil ,, and the two tractor brands used incompatible hydraulic oils.

One of the tractor brands had a LARGE number of major hydraulic system failures,, which cost huge amounts of money to repair.

I think the two brands were Deere, and CAT tractors,, but, I am remembering a long time ago,,

If both tractors use a hydraulic - transmission type oil, swapping a small attachment will not be an issue.

But, some old tractors used 30WT engine oil, or automatic transmission fluid,,, or ,, wait for it,,
90WT gear oil in the hydraulic system.

I would not want any of that oil in one of my tractors,,,:confused2:

 

[dbchaplin03]

Thanks gentlemen. My Kioti only had 155 hrs on it when I sold it and had the filters and fluids changed twice in that time.

I get stir crazy in the winter and go through all my equipment and do full services. I probably waste some money I know but I have the piece of mind knowing that its well cared for and gives me something to do out in the shop.

 

[SDT]

Just sold a 35hp Kioti tractor and bought a new L6060 that should be here in the next week or two. I have two different grapples that only got used on my Kioti but I kept to use on my Kubota.

Thought about disconnecting the hoses and draining the fluid since Kioti uses different hydraulic fluid and trying to get as much out of the cylinders as I can before using them on my new L series.

Am I being paranoid?

I hear of people renting hydraulic implements for their tractors with 3rd function but it makes me cringe because I know how sensitive hydrostats can be to contamination.

I too consider such, especially with HST tractors.

I owned (sold last year) a hydraulically angled 7 1/2' front loose material/snow blade purchased when I bought a NH T4050 Deluxe (sold about 5 years ago) about 10 years ago. I also own a 66" Edge hydraulic grapple purchased when I bought a MF 2635 in 2014. The MF was a BIG mistake and I sold it a couple of years ago. The grapple had been used with the MF and the blade had been used with the NH and the MF. Before using either of these attachments on my M9960, I waited until just before I performed the 50 hour service, attached each, and cycled the cylinders several times to flush as much of the other oil out as possible, before draining and changing the oil in my 9960.

****, yes, but I sleep well.

I NEVER loan or borrow tractors or implements.

SDT

 

[Henro]

Thought about disconnecting the hoses and draining the fluid since Kioti uses different hydraulic fluid and trying to get as much out of the cylinders as I can before using them on my new L series.

Am I being paranoid?

Why take the chance?

Draining most of the fluid out of the grapple cylinders should be easy. Why not just do it? I would if I bought a new tractor that I expected to keep a while. AND would do it if I bought a used implement for use with my 15 year old tractors that I own as well.

Frankly, I would probably flush the cylinders with some Kubota fluid as well...

The effects of what you do not do now might not show up for ten years (or never, but how knows?).

Why take the chance?

 

[diesel85]

I would just drain it.

 

[RalphVa]

Doubt there's very much additive in any hydraulic fluid to worry about contamination. I would not. It's basically very high quality 20w (mid grade off the pipestill) base oil.

Ralph

 

[Peter 315]

If the oil is clean no water in it you will be fine , When you change brands of hyd oil you never get all the old oil out anyways...........