How to remove bad hydraulic fluid from detached frontend loader

k0ua · Oct 6, 2013

Mikey201 said:
K0ua,

Ok, I think I'm following. BTW, I failed to mention I don't have any rear remotes on this tractor. I think I was confused b/c of your sentence with "sump (tank) return" which the diverter block has a return plus a separate sump tank connection as well as a outflowing supply line. Anyway, I understand now what your saying. The return line is just a loop back to the system when doing nothing.

I guess I'm just trying to be abundantly cautious and making sure I don't mess anything up.

Thanks for your help!

It sounds like you have it now. Of course with no rear remotes, that just means the return flow line goes directly to your 3pt valve because that is the last valve in series. If you are wondering what happens to this oil, after it hits the 3pt valve, well it just dumps into the tank when the 3pt lift cylinder is not using it to lift a load.

It seems a lot of guys don't understand how the hydraulic pump is pumping fluid all of the time in an open center system and that flow is going through our FEL control valves all the time and to any "downstream" valves all the time.

James K0UA

Harry in Ky · Oct 6, 2013

I see you are quite confused here. Let me try to explain what I would do, you make your own choice. First. drain/flush/refill/change filter(s) or whatever. When you're satisfied the tractors fluid is good to go, then flush the loader. My suggestion for doing so relies on the fact you have three lines to the loader valve(1 pressure 2 power beyond back to tractor systems 3 free return to sump) If you only have two hoses, no third sump return, then disregard the suggestion. Only disconnect the free sump return hose, Oil will only flow from this line when the loader valves are being used, and it will only be oil returning from the loader cylinders. It will not pump all your new oil out into the bucket. If you can't make sense of this, then by all means, don't do any thing until you get some help.

Mikey201 · Oct 6, 2013

Ok guys, I followed your advise and everything seemed to work well. I was a bit surprised about how intense the flow was when I lowered the bucket as well as tilting in forward and then back. K0ua, I think you were spot on about the flow rate! I had to top off the reservoir a couple of times but I think I got the vast majority of the bad oil out. It took a few times operating in each direction and back.

Thank You to you both Harry and K0ua. You saved me a bunch of time and headaches!!!!

:thumbsup: