draining all the hydro-oil and replacing it with new?

spechols · Jan 27, 2021

Group
I have acquired a second PT425 and attachments used with 680 hours.
So, question while I have time to work on it...
Along with changing the filter is there any logic in draining all the hydro-oil and replacing it with new?
Or am I just being paranoid?
Thanks

coolconnection · Jan 27, 2021

There isn’t any hydraulic oil in it. It is motor oil that is used. It will probably take up to 10 gallons of 10W-40 or 10W-30. I would check the color of the oil first. If it is a really dark burnt color then I would change it but If it looks clear and light colored you are probably ok. If you do change it it will come out of that drain hole pretty fast so be ready and have plenty of buckets handy.

ponytug · Jan 27, 2021

I don't think that is being paranoid. I would file that under good practice. You have very little idea how good the previous owner was about keeping the oil cool and clean. Very cheap insurance in my book. I would definitely check the bottom of the tank for sludge/debris. I propped up one side so that almost all of the oil drained out easily.

I routinely change all the service items when getting a used piece of equipment. That way, I know where I am with regards to fluid and filter lifetimes.

Just my $0.02...

All the best,

Peter

spechols · Jan 27, 2021

I agree - what can it hurt?
It is just oil.

Next question - how can you flush out a hydro cylinder?

ponytug · Jan 27, 2021

Well... you can disconnect it and manually move it. That involves blocking whatever the cylinder was moving, and unloading the weight/stress on it. For a large cylinder, it may require some force. Or you can try to disconnect the unloaded side, cycle the cylinder, then reconnect it, but...

Between, you, me, and the doorpost, I am not sure I would do it unless I had a really good reason to think that the cylinder was bad, and if it is bad, you are taking it off anyway. If there is any gunk in the cylinder, it will get washed into the tank in normal use.

If you change the oil and you don't find anything in the tank, I wouldn't bother. Just my two cents...

All the best,

Peter

spechols · Jan 27, 2021

Thanks for the advise.
It came with an assortment of attachments but the mini-hoe is missing one hose so I expect there is contamination inside the hydro cylinder.
Everything is stored inside now but not in it痴 previous life. So I expect I will want to cycle oil through all the attachments as well as the PT before I put it to work this spring.
Thanks

m5040 · Jan 28, 2021

You may want to run a magnet around the tank and see if it comes up with anything. It is a great feature of the Power Trac that they give you that big cover on the hydraulic reservoir so it can be removed and cleaned inside. Normally it is only necessary if something broke and parts went in the tank.