flushing cylinder

/ flushing cylinder #1  

massey990

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2011
Messages
292
Is there any cheaper fluid than hydraulic oil that can safely be used to flush out a cylinder?
 
/ flushing cylinder #2  
Is there any cheaper fluid than hydraulic oil that can safely be used to flush out a cylinder?

Presuming these are meant for use with petroleum fluids, diesel fuel or kerosene will work, just drain them real well before putting them in service.
 
/ flushing cylinder #3  
Cheap 30w motor oil shouldn't hurt it and would be cheaper than hydraulic fluid. Older cylinders were run on motor oil (ie dump trucks).

I don't recommend it as a substitute, though I know it is used in certain (mostly older) applications, but it should be find for flushing the cylinder.

I am assuming you aren't running through your tractor, which would contaminate your pump, reservoir, etc. How do you plan to flush the cylinders?

Maybe someone else can chime in about the extra wear protection, and what not that hydraulic oil gives you over motor oil.

- JC
 
/ flushing cylinder #4  
I think hydraulic oil is about 10W and has lots of anti-foaming agents other than that, its about like motor oil in lubricating properties
 
/ flushing cylinder
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Thanks for the replies, I went ahead and used hydraulic fluid as I did not want to run the risk of contaminating the tractor system.

I put QDs on the cylinder ports and kept switching between an open hose and male QD with a schrader valve. I would fill one end of the cylinder with a funnel and then using a bicycle pump I could move the rod in and out until I hade clean fluid flowing from both ends.
 

Marketplace Items

2019 International WorkStar 7300 4x4 Altec AA55 56ft. Insulated Bucket Truck (A60352)
2019 International...
Grain-O-Vator Corn Sileage / Grain Feed Wagon (A66408)
Grain-O-Vator Corn...
Michelin Floatbib VF1000-55 R32 Equipment Tires (A64194)
Michelin Floatbib...
2008 MACK CHU613 DUMP TRUCK (A63569)
2008 MACK CHU613...
2003 Ford E-450 Super Duty Passenger Bus (A61573)
2003 Ford E-450...
Caterpillar TL1055D (A62177)
Caterpillar...
 
Top