Hydraulic fluid foaming?

[Highbeam]

That is exactly what mine looked like after I checked with engine hot following 2 hrs of mowing. The next morning the bubbles were gone. I say bubbles but it was really microscopic bubbles and the fluid just looked foamy tan as I recall. Normal color in the AM. No water issue in my case.

Has this continued to happen? If so, why not drain out a quart or two of fluid and then run the tractor to see if that fixes the problem.

Yes, the bubbles are gone when I check before runnning the machine. I plan to drain one of the finals and catch that fluid in a glass vessel to check for water and also to see how long it takes for the bubbles to dissipate. Unfortunately, I don't get to use the tractor much at home so the fluid won't be particularly hot but it will be stirred.

I will begin mowing here in the middle of may so I hope to have the issue resolved.

 

[IslandTractor]

Unfortunately, I don't get to use the tractor much at home so the fluid won't be particularly hot but it will be stirred.
.

Just move your wood pile to the other side of the yard using the FEL. That will warm things up a bit.

 

[Highbeam]

I did just bring home another 2.5 cords of 3' logs over the weekend. Maybe I could do some splitting with the death splitter to warm things up.

 

[IslandTractor]

I did just bring home another 2.5 cords of 3' logs over the weekend. Maybe I could do some splitting with the death splitter to warm things up.

I thought that device was PTO powered. PTO is direct drive isn't it? You need to get the hydraulic hot. I'd say moving the piles around or at least doing calisthenics with the loader and wood would work better.

 

[IslandTractor]

Regarding the distinction of foamy vs water contaminated oil, there is one obvious and another pretty simple way to determine which it is.

If you took a sample of "foamy" oil after use and let it sit in a clear glass, the bubbles would dissipate overnight if it is just air but water would either remain in suspension or layer out.

Also, I found an interesting simple test in a US Army Corps of Engineers document:

http://140.194.76.129/publications/eng-manuals/em1110-2-1424/c-12.pdf

(b) Water contamination. Hazy or cloudy oil may indicate water contamination. The 田rackle test is a simplified procedure that can be used to verify the presence of water in oil, but the test does not provide quantitative results. The crackle test can be conducted by making a small cup from aluminum foil, adding a few drops of the oil, and heating rapidly over a small flame. The test can also be conducted by using a hot plate, as previously noted, or by immersing a hot soldering iron in a sample of the oil. An audible crackling sound will be heard if water is present. Eye protection should be worn during the test to prevent injury if oil splatters during the heating. If water contamination is evident, the oil should be purified and a
sample of the purified oil should be sent to a laboratory for analysis. If sediment is present, the oil should be purified, and samples of both the unpurified oil and the purified oil should be submitted for analysis. The sediment of the unpurified oil can be analyzed to determine its source.​

 

[Lloyd_E]

Ok...

I hooked the BH up first time since last fall. The Hydraulic lever in the cab(A - Neutral -B)
will not stay in position. I called dealer he will check on next maintenance but said it was OK to tie back with bungee cord. I did about 3 hours of heavy work with BH - record breaking hot weather about 92 degrees. Noticed a small leak on one of the tubs - got replaced under warranty at last service - will tighten.

Checked hyd oil after shutting down tractor - full and clear - no bubbles, colour or foam.

lloyd

 

[Highbeam]

So I ran the machine last night for a couple of hours at lower, say 1600, RPM using the loader like a wheelbarrow to move a rock pile. The fluid was warm but NO bubbles. I checked it repeatedly during the work to rest my aching back from the hand loading activity.

The only thing I did differently was to blow out the vent by mouth which does taste funny. It seemed to be clear but maybe my blowing blew something out.

The levelness of the tractor has a drastic impact on the level of fluid on the dipstick. ie, Point the tractor slightly downhill and your level is low.

I didn't want to drain out any fluid until the bubbles were present so my next project will include some 2000+ RPM time to stir things up and also some driving to flow some fluid.