I messed up and lost the Hydraulic cap and it rained

[TimRice]

I changed the Oil and Hydraulic filters on my B2650 and in the "excitement of the moment" I forgot to put the fill plug back in (I had set it on my harrow) and drove away. I realized what I did just as I was going to sleep that night (horror). I'm unable to find the plug (need to get a new one) and before I got back out to the tractor, it rained and I think some water splashed into the Hydraulic tank. There was a little water on the surface around the filler opening. As a temporary stop gap I took a nitrile glove and stuffed a paper towel into it and plugged the opening.

I have NOT run the tractor since water got into the tank. I'm looking for suggestions on what to do now and where to get a new plug for the tank.

 

[K5lwq]

First, welcome to TBN!

If you haven't run the tractor then simply drain and replace the hydraulic fluid. That is what I would do.
I would think you could order a new plug from any good dealer. Good Luck.

 

[D2Cat]

Replacing he hyd. filter without any of the water diluted fluid running through it will not help get any water out.

I'd question how much rain did you get? Is the fill plug located? Is that location protected from any rain? Probably not enough water made it into the fill hole to make any difference. Be about the same as condensate build up over the winter.

If you really think a lot of water entered the system, unscrewl the drain plug gradually and let a cup of fluid out, the put the plug back tight. Me, I'd just use the tractor.

 

[k0ua]

The water will collect at the lowest spot. Perhaps near your final drive drain plugs. BUT think of it like this: how much rain did you get? how big is the fill plug opening. Maybe about the size of a rain gauge? If you got an inch of rain, then you have what 1 to 2 ounces of water in the system? There is often water in the system due to condensate as others have pointed out. And as has been pointed out, you may have even less water than would collect in the bottom of a rain gauge with a similar sized opening. If you wan't you can crack those final drive plugs open and collect the fluid and see if it is milky (water in it). BUT I am thinking you didn't get enough water in there to even matter. Up to you, but I would get another cap coming and go on. Don't forget that the hydraulic system sucks in air and blows out air all the time as you operate hydraulic cylinders including the 3 point. I don't know on your particular tractor if the vent was in the plug in the form of a crooked piece of rubber hose or like many Kubota's under the seat but the hole is somewhere and you cannot plug it or it will blow out the dipstick or something will happen as the cylinders dump back into the tank rapidly. Of course this constant pumping in and out of air is what brings in the moisture to condense on the cold iron and flow into the fluid. Of course if you operate the tractor and the fluid gets hot this helps to evaporate the water in the fluid over time. Blowing it out the same vent hole.

 

[oosik]

JMHO - get the tractor & hydraulic fluid up to operating temps. Check the hydraulic fluid. Is it milky - if so, dump and refill. If not - run the tractor at operating temps for a couple hours. This will boil any/all water out of the hydraulic fluid.

 

[skipperbrown]

I agree with oosik. If it's milky after running for a few minutes, it's contaminated and should be replaced along with the filters. Otherwise, you are good to go. I got a little salterwater in my inboard boat engine once and it turned the oil to a milk chocolate color. Replaced it with new filter and was good to go.