Oil & Fuel First oil change 50hr, yes or no?

[Gcorron]

I worked for one of the larger utilities LONG ago. On all our bucket and pole trucks, they changed the oil at the first interval, and it was never changed again. They changed the filter only after that, at the proper intervals. The fleet manager said they got the same life span out of equipment as people who change oil regularly. But they also sent oil samples in for annual evaluation.

I change mine every year, but I do not put many hours on my machine either, and I have long ago switched to Amsoil. I've been rather impressed with the lack of sludge buildup and will likely continue to use it.

I'll have to check, but pretty certain the BX-25D calls for an HST filter change only, and screen cleaning, but no HST oil change until 400 hours.

George

 

[eddiebob]

I change the oil in all my diesel equipment yearly. Too much money invested and oil is not expensive. Another way to approach oil change is UOA (used oil analysis). Ed B

 

[dragoneggs]

^^^^This.

I'm simply amazed that people consider NOT changing the oil(s) AND filter(s) at 50 hours. ESPECIALLY when the book calls for it. Is this REALLY an issue people struggle with?

Agreed... so when are you thinking... 100 hrs, 200 hrs... ? Honestly what your really saving if you when you follow a regular maintenance schedule on a $20K or whatever piece of equipment? Mine was black after 50 hours (typical of diesel), but as mentioned, you want to get the metal chips and dust out from the initial wear while the mechanical parts of the engine become 'seated'. I too think the first change is most important. 50 hrs is plenty in my mind. You will read that some have more 'chips' than others (also talking about the HST here). I would definitely pull and clean the filter on the HST at the same time. I had a fair amount of fine chips on the filter plug. Easy to clean and re install without doing a HST oil and filter change. Just be ready with a cork tapered plug.

Think about it... engine wear doesn't come from the lubricous oil... it comes from the grit in the oil.

 

[rjkobbeman]

Agreed... so when are you thinking... 100 hrs, 200 hrs... ? Honestly what your really saving if you when you follow a regular maintenance schedule on a $20K or whatever piece of equipment? Mine was black after 50 hours (typical of diesel), but as mentioned, you want to get the metal chips and dust out from the initial wear while the mechanical parts of the engine become 'seated'. I too think the first change is most important. 50 hrs is plenty in my mind. You will read that some have more 'chips' than others (also talking about the HST here). I would definitely pull and clean the filter on the HST at the same time. I had a fair amount of fine chips on the filter plug. Easy to clean and re install without doing a HST oil and filter change. Just be ready with a cork tapered plug.

Think about it... engine wear doesn't come from the lubricous oil... it comes from the grit in the oil.

Yup...

The first oil/fluid change -- which is done at an early interval -- isn't done because the oil/fluid is shot. It is done to flush out all of the metal crap.

My 50 hour service is coming on my BX. The cost to drain everything is no big deal for me. When I did the 50 hour service on my M8540, that hurt. The tranny holds 16 gallons of SUDT. But I didn't even think twice about doing it. The tractor was $40k+. Not gonna worry about a couple hundred dollars for something that is so critical.

After the first 50, the intervals get spaced out pretty well.

I think my BX doesn't call for a fluid (SUDT) change at 50 hours... but I will do it anyway. I think the first fluid change is even MORE important when the capacity is less. And on a hydro? Even more important.

 

[s219]

I think my BX doesn't call for a fluid (SUDT) change at 50 hours... but I will do it anyway. I think the first fluid change is even MORE important when the capacity is less. And on a hydro? Even more important.

Engine oil is one story, where break-in is a unique process and there are many other factors, but there shouldn't be any reason to change the hydraulic fluid at 50 hours. On the time-scale of a hydraulic system, that would be like dumping your beer after one sip. Doesn't matter if it's a teeny BX or a giant piece of construction equipment.

The only reason I'd consider a change would be if the filter or magnets showed an excessive amount of metal shavings. You'd know it if you saw it -- one fellow here on TBN posted a pic, and it looked like the catch-pan on a metal lathe, real bad. But seeing a little gray sludge on the magnets is normal and OK. The hydraulics system -- HST or not -- is in a different ballpark than an engine, both in terms of what the oil does/accumulates and the ramifications of debris.

 

[murphy1244]

" On the time-scale of a hydraulic system, that would be like dumping your beer after one sip."

I like that!! I ran my oil thru a screen and still was a waste of time.

 

[big bubba]

The hydraulics system -- HST or not -- is in a different ballpark than an engine, both in terms of what the oil does/accumulates and the ramifications of debris. s219

pretty big leap of faith here. on what empirical evidence do you base this statement? esp in a first change on a new machine after manufacturing process?
just asking.


I like that!! I ran my oil thru a screen and still was a waste of time. murph 1244
murph: perhaps you are correct 90% of the time in your screen process...but the manufacturing process is also subject to random events...to say "well i screened it, was a waste of time" therefore making a blanket statement about all owners of new machines is, well? maybe presumptuous.... inmo change all fluids @ 50 hrs...after that the playing field is level, & one can apply his own assumptions regarding fluid change. just my thought.