hydraulic fluid

[hvac1]

Should hydraulic fluid be replaced at certain time intervals? I know the standard 50 hr change, but what if you don't put that many hours on your tractor? Should it be replaced once a year regardless?

 

[Soundguy]

I'd go by what time/hr intervals you OEM requires.

Remember.. a sump that gets used very little is collecting moisture and not flashing it off as well as a sump that gets frequent use.

Soundguy

 

[SPYDERLK]

There are coalescing filters that will remove the water that slowly accumulates in oil, and filter it for ultrafine particulate as well. They arent cheap but maybe you can find a large shop that has one and can renew your changed out oil for your next change.
Kaydon Custom Filtration Corporation - How We Do It Better

 

[D7E]

Have a little common sense , If it's new and can be done for nothing fine but a lot of farm tractors are doing 2000 hrs a year , This is not financially viable ,About 1-2000 hrs is normal for the "perfectionist" and most only change for problems or visible signs of contamination ,Even on hydro's we change about every 4 years .

 

[gbick]

Buy a spare drain plug. At least yearly, change the plug. This will allow you to check for/drain any condensation and clean the magnet on the plug. Park the tractor overnight so that the drain is indeed the lowest point (so any water is directly over the plug) Swap plugs in the morning, when the moisture has condensed and settled, and the oil is thicker. You will lose less than a pint of oil. Clean the magnet and put the plug in a ziplock bag for next year.

 

[Slacker]

Buy a spare drain plug. At least yearly, change the plug. This will allow you to check for/drain any condensation and clean the magnet on the plug. Park the tractor overnight so that the drain is indeed the lowest point (so any water is directly over the plug) Swap plugs in the morning, when the moisture has condensed and settled, and the oil is thicker. You will lose less than a pint of oil. Clean the magnet and put the plug in a ziplock bag for next year.

Wow, that would work great for my pickup. Thanks for the tip.
ETA: I know where Greenbush is. I grew up near Skowhegan.