Hydraulic problem

[bcarpenter]

My hydraulic fluid was low the hydraulics were slow and I put in a 20w oil and now nothing works.

 

[Rebeldad1]

what weight does your tractor call for?

may need low viscosity 5w

 

[bcarpenter]

It calls for low viscosity hygard oil

 

[hosspuller]

The heavier 20W may not be getting through the filter. The hydraulic filter is a suction affair. Between the heavy weight and the colder temperatures, you may be cavitating the hydraulic pump.

I would suggest draining the whole mess and starting over with the correct hydraulic oil. Replacing the hydraulic filter is also part of starting over.

Then if everything works again .. determine where the hydraulic fluid went in the first place. It's a closed system. Only leaks make for low fluid levels.

 

[bcarpenter]

I have the front end loader handle tied back and when I crank it up the loader will raise about 4 foot and then eventually fall back to the ground. I can leave it running and still nothing happens.

 

[Cycledude]

So you put 20 weight engine oil into your hydraulic system ?
Hopefully the pump hasn’t been ruined ! That would be very expensive to replace .

 

[bcarpenter]

It’s a 20w hydraulic oil

 

[BeezFun]

It calls for low viscosity hygard oil

The data sheet for low viscosity hygard shows it is 7.4cSt @ 100C which converts to SAE 19.9W oil, and it's 33cSt @ 40C which is about SAE 11W oil. So the engine oil you used is a bit too thick at low temps but is right on the money once the oil gets hot. So I'm not sure the oil you used caused the problem, I think you had a problem to start with that may have been caused by running with too little oil. You say in the OP that the hydraulic fluid was low and the actuation was slow. How much oil did you add and how much does the system hold?

 

[bcarpenter]

Thanks for your help. I will clean it out and change the oil would you happen to know how many gallons it holds

 

[bcarpenter]

I only added a gallon to gallon and a half. I think it holds 9 gallons