When to change hydraulic fluid in your tractor?

[Wagtail]

When it comes to the diesel engine of my rig, I go with generic filters and oil that's specific to my environment. The filters & oil are readily available in town.

When it comes to the hydraulic fluid and the expensive hydraulic filter, I go OEM. My tractor is HST and I'm not going to bugger around with the fluid that everything that my tractor does depends on.

You payed good money for your tractor. Maintain it.

 

[arrow]

Yeah it's expensive. But even the good stuff from Chevron or Mobil is just as expensive. We have to do it so infrequently, I'd rather remove all doubt and simply use the factory or what I know for sure (and how do you that?) is an exact compilation of factory blend.

 

[Coyote machine]

You haven't changed the fluid in 11 years! What's the rush now?
Though high quality hydraulic fluid(s) may not break down with age alone, they are subjected to heat and metals of different types and the inside of hoses, etc. which could affect their performance over extended periods of time.
Filtration is absolutely key, and why the hydraulic filters are wicked expensive.
IF you've been changing your filters regularly, then fluid changes are maybe not so critical.

However, as stated by some, your tractor's hydraulics are what get almost all work done that isn't performed by your engine. So expensive fluid is just something you should cost out over time and use.
It's CHEAP insurance to replace it say every hundred years or so, whether it needs it or not!
My point is, it can't really hurt your machine to change it out and see what comes out. If it's clean as when new, and you sent it out for oil analysis and it comes back clean as a baby's butt, after wiping, then you're good to go. If however it comes back showing metals present in microscopic amounts but in higher than expected or normal levels, then having done the change was probably overdue by about 10.5 years.
Basically there is no right answer. Do what you think is best for you and your tractor's longevity.
Let us know your decision and results.

 

[WVH1977]

I have always changed filters engine oil, etc. as called out in my manual. I have done all maintenance according to the manual except the hydraulic oil change. Never had one problem with the performance of my tractor. I called my local New Holland dealer today and talked with the service department about this. I gave them the hours and year model of my tractor. They told me 450 hours was not a lot of hours and I should be fine. I also talked with my neighbor who farms and he uses a smaller Ford 3000 for his vegetable garden. He told me he has never changed the hydraulic fluid it and never had one issue with it. They do change out all filters, engine oil, and other maintenance on a regular basis. That really surprised me. He did say that the big tractors they use for planting beans and corn, they change it out every 1000 hours if needed.

Anyway, I am going to change it out next weekend. Again, thanks for all responses. Posting this question on here has helped me to decide on changing it and using the manufacturer's recommended oil. I felt like it was a dumb question to post but I have heard so many different opinions on this subject, I wanted to see what the responses were on here.

 

[arrow]

I felt like it was a dumb question to post but I have heard so many different opinions on this subject, I wanted to see what the responses were on here.

I'm willing to bet there isn't a single one of us that hasn't pondered factory assertions of when to change or what to use hydraulic fluid. Not a dumb question in the least.

 

[JDL538]

When you change a Hydraulic filter without draining the fluid first does the fluid all come flowing out ? I never knew the answer to this..Thanks in advance.

 

[WVH1977]

JDL538,

No fluid comes out. I just unscrew the old filter and take it out. Rub new fluid around the rim on the new filter and screw it back on. I start the tractor and let it run then shut it off. I come back and check the oil level and add what is needed after the oil had had a chance to run through the new filter.

 

[big bubba]

another reason to consider your hyd fluid change after more than a decade is moisture contamination, both from possibly sitting outside (mostly through the gear shift) and condensation in general. just get the OEM filter & fluid and do it. think you've received ample good info thus far. best regards

ps don't forget to clean the strainer as well if there is one on your machine, should be indicated in manual.

 

[Fallon]

When you change a Hydraulic filter without draining the fluid first does the fluid all come flowing out ? I never knew the answer to this..Thanks in advance.

Hook up a shop vac to the fill port. Creates a vacuum in the tank that keeps it from coming out when the filter is off.

 

[FatTire]

I felt like it was a dumb question to post but I have heard so many different opinions on this subject, I wanted to see what the responses were on here.

No, not a dumb question, I've been considering a similar issue. The L5740 we just purchased had its scheduled 50 hour service done at 42 hours in October 2012. When I got it last month it had 107. Unless I get into some unexpected project soon, this machine won't reach its 200 hour service until next winter so I was thinking about the same issue, except that I don't know its history in terms of how it was used/cared for. Thinking I'll do the 200 hour service at 150 which will be summer, and then go to 400 hrs at which point I'll be back on the factory intervals. Or should I drop everything and do it ASAP?