Renting Harley rake

[allthingsoutdoors]

I am planning on renting a Harley rake to 1.5 acres of new yard. They have a hydraulic cylinder to angle the rake. How do I know if the oil in the cylinder will contaminate my hydraulic system? For all I know the last guy that rented it could have a 1960's tractor that has not had the hydraulic oil changed in 25 years.
Is there an easy way to check the oil quality?
Is it safe to just plug in the 2 hoses and go to work and not worry about it?

 

[Jay4200]

I am planning on renting a Harley rake to 1.5 acres of new yard. They have a hydraulic cylinder to angle the rake. How do I know if the oil in the cylinder will contaminate my hydraulic system? For all I know the last guy that rented it could have a 1960's tractor that has not had the hydraulic oil changed in 25 years.
Is there an easy way to check the oil quality?
Is it safe to just plug in the 2 hoses and go to work and not worry about it?

I wouldn't worry about it. I know my tractor has almost 11 gallons of hydro fluid in it. Even if you ended up pulling in a couple of cups of contaminated fluid, it wouldn't make much of a difference.

JayC

 

[beenthere]

I agree with Jay4200.

But if you want to drain the hyd. cyl by removing the end couplings, then you probably could get a look at the oil at the same time.
Also could put your own cylinder on and use that.

I'd just use it and worry about something else.

Some before and after pics of using the Harley Rake would be great for us.

 

[kennyd]

This can be a problem when renting implements-kind of like kissing your sister on the lips

You can always remove the hoses and operate the cylinder manually to push out most of the fluid before you hook it to your machine.