Algae in my hydraulic fluid

[fritz423]

I've read about using diesel...man that is beyond my comfort zone. Wouldn't that cause problems in the pump?

 

[fritz423]

This is definitely an outdoor tractor, my wife would kill me if the tractor had cover when her car doesn't.

 

[Ford850]

I think it's rare to see algae in hydraulic fluid because the heat would kill it with normal use. Compare that to diesel fuel that sits in a tank collecting moisture and never gets heated. I think by sealing the leaks, and if you added a quality fluid, some good hard use should resolve the issue.

 

[RNeumann]

Thanks for the tips. I've read over the information for BioborJF -it worries me that there is no "official" recommendation from any manufacturer to use it in Hydraulic/transmission fluid although the site does have a page that suggests it works for transmission or any hydrocarbon fluid.

As stated above, I guess the recommended shock treatment would be around an ounce. That's not much.

I'm hoping I've stopped the water sources. I'm tempted to use a shock dose of the BioBorJF, run it for a week, and then replace fluid/filters one last time.

That's my vote!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I've read about using diesel...man that is beyond my comfort zone. Wouldn't that cause problems in the pump?

You don't actually use the diesel in the pump, just flush the system with it so it washes out all the dirt and grime. I have dumped in 5 gallons and opened all the drains to flush it out, then swabbed the inside wherever I can to remove any residual. A little diesel mixed in with 10-15 gallons of hydraulic fluid wont hurt a thing. After all it runs thru you high pressure injection pump all the time.

 

[muddstopper]

I had my fuel man top off all the hydraulic tanks with diesel before. And expensive oil change since some of our equipment hold 200gal of oil. Machines ran for a day or two before anyone figured out what happened,but didnt seem to hurt anything.

 

[scdeerslayer]

This is definitely an outdoor tractor, my wife would kill me if the tractor had cover when her car doesn't.

My tractor has a cover (although it does have leaks, but I plan to build something else ---- someday) buy my truck never has.

 

[fritz423]

I keep hoping I can use this as an excuse for a new barn/workshop...here's hoping!

 

[fritz423]

EDIT!! Good golly I meant 541 loader not 520. Too much crack cocaine I guess.

 

[ovrszd]

Maybe I missed it, does this tractor sit for long periods of time??

I don't think water leaking into the system would cause algae. If it did, the tractor would have to sit long periods of time or the heat of operation would kill it. Water sinks to the bottom if left sitting a long time so again, can't understand how algae would get started.

Sure looked like algae though. I'm curious to hear the solution. Also curious to hear the fix for water leakage. Tractors are generally designed to prevent water entering the system. How are you going to know if you have cured the contamination point?

Good luck with this.