Hydraulic fluid frothing...

[TerryinMD]

I'm beginning to notice some frothing in my hydraulic fluid. I notice it when I remove the FEL on my JD4100. The quick attach nozzles are numbered 1-4 and the frothing occurs on nozzle #4. Is this something to be concerned about??

Any ideas, tips, warnings?

Terry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Terry,

I'll assume your frothing will be my foaming...

Normally when a slight amount of "air" is introduced..., perhaps an "O" ring gone bad at that quick disconnect, either hose side from loader or tractor side... or even a "bad" connection at that disconnect... sometimes just disconnecting and reconnecting will correct the "leak"...

 

[TerryinMD]

Frothing - takes me back to my college days and too many economy-sized, malted adult beverages. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I guess I didn't explain myself very well. I detect the foaming in the few drops of fluid spillage after disconnecting the hose from the quick disconnect. The rest of the nozzles seem to be drops with no foaming.

Terry

 

[ronjhall]

Terry
Did you relieve pressure in the lines before you disconnected the hoses? I always shut off engine. Then move control valve to remove any built up pressure in lines. Before disconnecting the hoses.

 

[Mike_Dumond]

Terry, the 'frothing' still sounds like air seeping in, probably in that small area. And, if you do manage to get the frotage in your system, you can do damage to your pump. Check your connections, all of them.

On a lighter note. For those looking for usless trivia. Frothing and frottage is inadvertently rubbing against another person, usually by accident. Told you it was worthless info.

Keep the greasy side down.
Mike

 

[TerryinMD]

Geez, put my foot in my mouth, frothing, frottage, foaming... or as my youngest daughther would say...Whatteever!!!! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Ron, yes I always release the pressure prior to disconnecting the FEL and also when parking the tractor to be on the safe side.

So, just to make sure that few braincells left can understand, I should look at all of my connections to ensure that they are properly attached. However, thas leads to other questions....

Wouldn't some leakage occur at the area where the air seepage occurs? The FEL will slowly drop after the engine is turned off. I have seen it drop 12-18" to the ground in a couple of hours time. That is not normal, correct?

Terry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...froth (frôth, fr¼th) n. 1. A mass of bubbles in or on a liquid; foam. 2. Salivary foam released as a result of disease or exhaustion. 3. Something unsubstantial or trivial. 4. A fit of resentment or vexation: was in a froth over the long delay. --froth v. frothed, froth·ing, froths (also frôth, fr¼th). --tr. 1. To cover with foam. 2. To cause to foam. --intr. To exude or expel foam. [Middle English, from Old Norse frodha.]...</font color=blue>

Terry,

You're absolutely correct... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Where else can you go to get your tractor diagnosed, and have a free English lesson all at the same time... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[TerryinMD]

One of pleasures of posting in this forum is reading the replies. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

And, of course, the discussion always remains focused.... /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

I will check the fittings/nozzles this weekend. Do any of the esteemed members have any other thoughts? I'm new to tractordom and especially hydraulics. I've been watching the (pick your favorite) a. frothing; b. frottage c. foaming for a month or so and have some concern. If it is a problem, I want correct it before ol' man winter hits. Or should I not worry to much?

Terry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Terry,

If only one 1 of 4 disconnects froths/foams, this would indicate to me NOT a system problem, but isolated to that AREA.

A cavitating pump would NOT differentiate... besides it would sound like a bunch of marbles/pool balls banging into each other {severe pump type problem & you would have some major issues to deal with}

So, not to downplay any problem, and without any further evidence, if the rest of the system works normal, I'd look for my original comments as bad connection/and/or "O" ring/leak in that foaming area...

Remember to froth/foam... you need AIR...

Good luck Terry.

 

[TerryinMD]

Things are becoming much clearer now.

The search begins....

John, thank you.