Should I fill the hydraukic oil tank on a new chipper before storing it for the winter?

[SylvainG]

So I bought a new PTO chipper that feeds hydraulically using its own tank and pump driven by the PTO. I bought it now although I won't use it until spring because it often goes out of stock. It doesn't come with its hydraulic tank filled. Is it safe to leave it like that for the winter, under a tarp (will be covered by snow soon) or should I fill it now and run the hydraulic to coat everything in oil?

Thanks.

 

[grsthegreat]

Personally i would fill it and lube everything up.

 

[Wagtail]

Fill it. Lube it (coating of, at least, lanolin lubricant). Run it. Then put it to bed for the Spring.

You've invested good money in this acquisition. Prep it.

 

[oosik]

For sure. Fill the tank - run it - top it off - lube everything. An empty tank collects moisture and - come spring - will push this moisture( now water ) throughout the system. Moisture will cause rust - hydraulic oil - not so.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Fill it until it overflows, and drain some off in the spring before you start using it. Every time it thermal cycles, the air volume expands and contracts, pulling in new moist air. The less air volume you have the less air cycling, and the less moisture you end up with condensing in the tank.

 

[seville009]

Echoing all of the advice above....top all fluids off, including fuel.

 

[SylvainG]

Thanks all. I'll go buy some hydraulic fluid. Wasn't expected it to be delivered so soon so I was caught unprepared lol.

 

[oldballs]

I'd probably call Woodland Mills for advice as well.....or send an e-mail question. They have good customer service in my experience.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[SylvainG]

Yeah, did that yesterday as well but also here because I had a feeling I would get an answer fast here

 

[SylvainG]

They replied

---------
Yes, do not leave the tank empty.

It is best to make sure everything is coated.

The tank will get rusted.
---------

So, either I overfill the tank to get all sides coated, turn the PTO by hand to bring oil to every parts, or, I unmount the blower, mount the chipper and drive the tractor to splash the oil in the tank, cut and install the PTO shaft and get the PTO going to oil every thing. Outside temperature will dictate which route I'll take I guess...

 

[SylvainG]

So, luckily, my local Home Hardware store received a batch a 5 gallons AW32 (Wakefield) hydraulic oil so I went and buy one during my lunch hour. Poured it in the tank, which filled it to the top, tilted the discharge chute to expose the flywheel which I turned by hand until a twig I inserted against the infeed roller got fed in. Moved the valve in the other direction and gave the flywheel a few more turns so both paths of the directional control valve are oiled. Done for the season. I chipped my first piece of wood, a twig