Fluid to use? Hyd.

[Wayne County Hose]

I run Dexron in my 2004 Jinma 284, and find that it performs better then it did new with no drawbacks so far. Be careful though because atf and hydraulic fluid do not mix. You will need a complete flush to make it permanent on the atf. My 2004 hyd system was filled with motor oil from the factory and atf will mix with that so I did not have a flush situation. I flushed and switched my snow plow to atf because hydraulic fluid absorbs moisture from the air and I kept getting ice in the system at the start of every winter. IMO atf flows, lubricates, inhibits rust better and keeps the system cleaner.

???????? I've mixed them a thousand times and never had a problem.

 

[RonMar]

Thanks Ronmar- Too early for me to switch to synthetic hydraulic but is that any better with moisture being absorbed. I do remember about someone posting about using a gas filter to keep dirt out of the system. Did you post about your filter? Thanks Ed

I probably did a long time ago. I originally used an inline airline dessicant filter. Painters sometimes use them between compressor and spray gun to remove moisture from the airline. I got the first one for only a few bucks, but these turned out to be fairly expensive to replace and not easy to renew the dessicant.

In addition to the filter element keeping the dirt out, the ones I make cost about $3(I already had the dessicant) and are quite easy to renew the dessicant in. Here are before(pink/moisture saturated) and after(blue/dry) pics of one of them

 

[Bob Rooks]

Interesting case study of desiccant breathers.

Using Desiccant Breathers in Industry Today - A Case Study

 

[Red55]

THANKS Ron & Bob - good ideas and info. Now just one more mod to add to the to do list First I have to build a concrete counterweight for loader work. Like the size of the 284 w/o the hoe on it but w/o the weight on the back you can really feel the difference and traction is an issue with the grade of my property. -Ed

 

[lakespirit]

Being a former lubricant sales rep., I sold to huge mining companies and trucking outfits. Many folks have used ATF in hydraulic systems with no ill effects. Did it all the time. I have a KAMA TS254 with 450 hours and I run ATF in mine because in north Idaho it gets below zero as it's been here lately.

In the summer I'll change over to AW 46.

 

[geobar]

???????? I've mixed them a thousand times and never had a problem.

I stand by what I said. I do not think that you will find any manufacturer that will not say that you must do a complete flush before switching. I've seen some machines where the hyd fluid had so much water in it that it looked like cocoa but they worked. Just like mixing hyd & atf, they will still work. But no mfr will say it is good. You can never change the oil or never change the antifreeze and the engine will still work -- but how long?

 

[Bob Rooks]

Beach sand, ground glass, and silica are also fluid, and for all practical purposes incompressible, but I don't recommend using them in hydraulic systems, and not just because they lack lubricity.

Most ATF's are blended from SAE10w base stock. It's the friction modifiers and additives that make their application more specific and cost more than AW hydraulic oils. Specific AW hydraulic oils are available in ISO 10, 22, 32, 46, and 68. General purpose AW oils suitable for hydraulic use are available in ISO 5 through 460. Almost all petroleum based oils are miscible, and will go into solution.

There is a big difference between a hydraulic cylinder that costs $200.00 and one that costs several hundred thousand dollars, but the fiscal dynamics are proportionately the same. So then the question arises; should the less expensive hydraulic system receive the same consideration for proper maintenance? My personal opinion is that they should receive equal consideration dependent upon the owner's resources, abilities, and knowledge.

Sometimes it's a challenge.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Being a former lubricant sales rep., I sold to huge mining companies and trucking outfits. Many folks have used ATF in hydraulic systems with no ill effects. Did it all the time. I have a KAMA TS254 with 450 hours and I run ATF in mine because in north Idaho it gets below zero as it's been here lately.
In the summer I'll change over to AW 46.

Just curious why you don't just use ISO AW 10w-20 hydraulic oil year round and save some money?

 

[doxford jim]

Just curious why you don't just use ISO AW 10w-20 hydraulic oil year round and save some money?

What Bob said.

IIRC the pail of ATF is equal to or more than the cost of a pail of hydraulic fluid - certainly in the Walmart stores around my area. If your hydraulic system is tight (no leak) then use the best oil for your application. For some of us it is a trial and error process, end up buying oil that is too thick in very cold temperatures.

Just my $0.02 worth.

mariner

 

[lakespirit]

ATF will flow at nearly any temperature, much like aircraft hydraulic oil. It also will aid in keeping seals pliable, so if a cylinder has a minor leak the seals tend to swell (not split) and stem the leak. ATF does not foam readily and with the amount of snow, slush and mud I work in it's an added insurance policy.