Potential mixing of fluid types from remote hydraulics. Problem?

[wiskioti]

Hi All,

So I just got my first tractor with remote hydraulics. I don't have any attachments (yet) that require remote hydraulics, but I probably have reasonable access to borrow some, if needed. My concern comes from the potential of mixing hydraulic fluid types when hooking up to an implement that was used with other tractors. My NX4510 uses universal trans-hydraulic fluid to run the hst transmission and the front end loader. If I hook up to another person's implement, is there a potential for the hydraulic fluid in the implement to contaminate my trans-hydraulic system? For example, say the implement was run on a tractor that uses standard AW32 hydraulic fluid. Can the AW32 fluid cause problems to my tractor that runs on UTF?

 

[Dave M7040]

Hi All,

So I just got my first tractor with remote hydraulics. I don't have any attachments (yet) that require remote hydraulics, but I probably have reasonable access to borrow some, if needed. My concern comes from the potential of mixing hydraulic fluid types when hooking up to an implement that was used with other tractors. My NX4510 uses universal trans-hydraulic fluid to run the hst transmission and the front end loader. If I hook up to another person's implement, is there a potential for the hydraulic fluid in the implement to contaminate my trans-hydraulic system? For example, say the implement was run on a tractor that uses standard AW32 hydraulic fluid. Can the AW32 fluid cause problems to my tractor that runs on UTF?

I see two issues with your plan.

The only stories that we read on the forum all of the time is how serious relationship issues have arisen over loaned or borrowed machinery and even tools. It is not a good practice and friendships of decades can be lost when your piece of machinery is brought back, months later you go to use it, and find it broken. Was it broken when returned, did it somehow seize up while sitting.....

If I have an implement someone needs to use, I go with my implement on my tractor and do the work. It saves all sorts of grief.

The second issue deals with different fluids. Most companies recommend not even mixing brands of a product. I think it is a bad idea. Especially a problem when you return the implement. Now the owner of the implement is either told of the contamination and has the work and expense of flushing it out or not told, there is an issue say with his hydraulic pump and now you become the target fair or not it will not matter.

Dave M7040

 

[nybirdman]

The answer from my BIL(retired farmer);is to purchase your own cylinder(s) to avoid cross contamination.

 

[Zebrafive]

Also borrowed/rented equipment could have water contaminated hydraulic oil. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

 

[LouNY]

It all depends on who's equipment it is. If that person uses quality fluids and does reasonable filter changes,
it usually will not hurt. Depending on the size and number of cylinders your only talking a gallon or two.
If you are both running a quality "hytran" the amount of fluid transferred isn't enough to matter, if
the other person is using old filthy oils it not a good idea.
You can always pull a fitting off one line connect one line purge the fluid, reinstall the fitting, remove the other and repeat.

 

[LD1]

Agree, All depends on who it is.

I am not worried about mixing a few quarts of quality oil (but possibly different brand/grade) in with the many gallons the system holds.

 

[Texasmark]

Nope. Use your own cylinders. If you buy used equipment having cylinders, flush them out before hooking to your system. Not worth the potential problems especially with newer tractors requiring premium fluid for multi functions.

 

[TractorGuy]

The short answer is yes but you already knew that.

I picked up an old loader a while back I considered adapting to my JD. I had a log splitter sitting around and some spare compatible oil. I connected the log splitter pump to the loader control and the return line went in an empty bucket. I kept filling the splitter with good oil and operated the loader until I had run about 10 gallons through the loader before I connected to the JD.

 

[Dave M7040]

This situation arises any time you get a new tractor and have existing implements.

I followed JD885guy'& Texasmark process of thoroughly flushing the implement cylinders as I did not want any old fluid in my new beauty.

Dave M7040