Oil & Fuel 50 hr. HST filter cut open off B2650

[HEC]

This a picture of the hyd. fluid that came out of hst filter after the first 50 hours of service , and an open view of the filter element . I could see a very few very tiny specks of metal which was expected . I never dreamed the oil from filter would be this dirty though . The fluid on the dip stick is so clean I can hardly see it . Is this just a case of a filter doing a great job or is there more to the story ? I examined the element and could see nothing but black as you can see from the picture .

 

[kuboman]

That is very dirty. Something contaminated the oil. I would take a sample for analysis.

 

[dodge man]

I don't see a lot of shards of metal or such, but I agree, it looks a lot dirtier than I would expect. I got some curly shards of metal out of my screen when I did my BX, but the fluid looked brand new.

 

[oldballs]

That dirty fluid surprises me too...same with the filter, although I never looked at the guts of mine (inside the canister). Geeze, I hope everything is okay. Maybe you should do the whole HST fluid change now.???...after you get an explanation.

 

[s219]

I think the filter did what it was supposed to do, and you have to keep in mind that collected all of the contaminants that were in the system from manufacturing, which includes grease, iron filings, casting grime, etc.... There is a cumulative effect. I bet that a sample taken from the fill cap with a turkey baster (or just suck out some with a clear tube) will look 1000% cleaner. I would not use any fluid from the filter (or any filter) for an analysis or even to draw general conclusions.

Heck, if I look at a used 90-day air filter on my HVAC unit, I could stretch the facts to make it look like we have a dust problem. But take an air sample or put a new clean filter, and that will not be the case. To be honest, I think there is too much paranoia / borderline OCD on TBN regarding hydraulic fluid changes. People seem to carry over logic from engine oil, and that does not apply to hydraulic fluid in any way.

A couple years ago, someone posted pictures of massive amounts of metal shavings (yes, actual shavings) caught in their HST filter. Now *that* was a problem and cause for concern, and clearly abnormal. Night and day from what we're looking at here. In that case, not only was a fluid change called for, but Kubota got involved as well.

 

[HEC]

I think the filter did what it was supposed to do, and you have to keep in mind that collected all of the contaminants that were in the system from manufacturing, which includes grease, iron filings, casting grime, etc.... There is a cumulative effect. I bet that a sample taken from the fill cap with a turkey baster (or just suck out some with a clear tube) will look 1000% cleaner. I would not use any fluid from the filter (or any filter) for an analysis or even to draw general conclusions.

Heck, if I look at a used 90-day air filter on my HVAC unit, I could stretch the facts to make it look like we have a dust problem. But take an air sample or put a new clean filter, and that will not be the case. To be honest, I think there is too much paranoia / borderline OCD on TBN regarding hydraulic fluid changes. People seem to carry over logic from engine oil, and that does not apply to hydraulic fluid in any way.

A couple years ago, someone posted pictures of massive amounts of metal shavings (yes, actual shavings) caught in their HST filter. Now *that* was a problem and cause for concern, and clearly abnormal. Night and day from what we're looking at here. In that case, not only was a fluid change called for, but Kubota got involved as well.

Thanks S219 those are my feelings also as I am not to concerned about it at this point . I would like to get all that crap out so I will do a complete change of both fluid and filters in the near future . Most all that crap came from behind the element when I cut it open .

 

[Jim Nelson]

I know it's a different application but the other day I changed the fuel filter on my Dodge/Cummins pickup and at 18,000 miles it was black like your filter. This is a cartridge type filter that reminds me of a Racor and I guess it's doing the job but I was surprised at the dirt in it.

 

[MHarryE]

Not unusually dirty for first filter change. The oil from that dude is not the oil that gets into the system. Filtered particles are going to stay either in the media or on that side between the canister and the media. Looks like the filter is going its job. My filter was much dirtier than yours at first change but the oil sample results came back normal.

 

[dragoneggs]

Hmmm. If that is your transmission oil I would change it. Not sure of the 'B' schedule but on the BX you just change the filters and clean the strainer at 50hr. My UDT wasn't 'discolored' (dirty) like your pic after 50hr.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

At first read I thought you dumped all your hyd fluid and it was all black. I went back and reread and see that this is the fluid from the filter and to me that totally changes my opinion. Filters should filter and hold a volume of fluid. To me the fluid in the filter, when removed, has contaminants concentrated in the volume of fluid the size of the filter.
I'd drain some fluid from the system through drain plug or suck out of fill tube and if it's black like this then I'd be concerned, if not then I would forget it and change the filters and fluids per the owners manual schedule, like I do.