50 hr oil chainge

[Paddy]

Well it's been about a year I have had the KAMA 454 and it has reached the 50 hr mark. I will change the fluids as prescribed but wonder if the hydraulic oils need to be dumped. I thought I might be able to drain in to clean containers to let settle. Then pour through a tight mesh. I would completely flush the tractors system with Diesel fuel. I'd bet I'd be getting 98%.

The fluid looks as clean as when Chip put the new in, not the original China oil/sludge. It would seem the main points to hydro fluid changes are; removing metal shavings, water content and over heated oil that has lost it's good oil features. It's been stored inside most of the time, hasn't been worked more than 4 hrs at a time.

I supose as I drain it I might not be so set in my ways if what comes out looks prety bad. But just the idea that when I do drain it if looks new except for a bit of metal flakes....

What do you think? am I crazy to even consider this as an option?

 

[3RRL]

Yeah, just change it and the strainer element. You'll never worry about "did I do the right thing" for the next year. It's gonna cost you under a hundred bucks or so to do it.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. draining to strain, and then refill.. that's alot of chances to introduce extra debri into the system..

Soundugy

 

[greg_g]

I too recommend changing hydraulic fluid/filter, and flushing never hurts. Chip and I bought a quantity of brass mesh to replace the OE suction filter, hopefully he's still got some left. If memory serves, it only takes a piece about 5"x7" wrapped around the existing core.

Don't forget that there's a paper filter element in the power steering reservior as well. I'd drain and refill that with new fluid as well. The AW32 was too thin for my steering pump, I've had to go to thicker oil (for steering only).

//greg//

 

[3RRL]

Greg,
Have you had this happen? At idle or lower rpms you turn the steering wheel and the wheels don't turn? Same under heavy fel loaded bucket. Then when I rev it up it starts to respond.
Is that something the thicker steering fluid will help? Is that what you are talking about?
Thanks,

 

[DwayneB]

Greg,
Have you had this happen?
Thanks,

I have on my kama, the 30 wt fluid cured the problem.

 

[Paddy]

Greg,

When you did your flush with diesel fuel, did you run the lift?

 

[3RRL]

I have on my kama, the 30 wt fluid cured the problem.

Dwayne, 30wt fluid is AW-? what?
Thanks,

 

[Egon]

Forget the Diesel flush.

 

[DwayneB]

Dwayne, 30wt fluid is AW-? what?
Thanks,

Greg said ISO 100 is approx 30/40 wt. The ISO 46 is approx 20 wt. I've seen I think ISO 68? here locally.
The place where I work has it in bulk. I just pumped a gallon out of the hose. So I didn't go back to look what was on the barrel. The guys in the shop just said this is 30 wt hydro here.

 

[3RRL]

Yeah, I've seen the AW sixty-sumthing here at Napa. I was wondering if that would be close? I have AW-32 in the power steering now and interesting that Greg has swithced to heavier to reduce/eliminate the problem I'm having. I think I'll give that a try.
Thanks,

 

[Soundguy]

There is also an aw46 available as an intermediate step. I know our local tsc carries all 3..
I'd guess utf would fall somewhere around aw32 .. etc.. perhaps upwards towards 46.. depending on the manufacturer.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[greg_g]

Greg,

When you did your flush with diesel fuel, did you run the lift?

Absolutely. If you don't all you're flushing is the sump. Exercising the hydraulics circulates the kero to flush from critical pump/valve/divertor areas. Don't forget to clean/replace the suction screen either.

//greg//

 

[greg_g]

Greg said ISO 100 is approx 30/40 wt. The ISO 46 is approx 20 wt. I've seen I think ISO 68? here locally.
The place where I work has it in bulk. I just pumped a gallon out of the hose. So I didn't go back to look what was on the barrel. The guys in the shop just said this is 30 wt hydro here.

If you look at the Viscosity Charts you'll see AW46/ISO46 ranked parallel with the low end of 20W - and AW68/ISO68 on the high end. That's why I recommended at least ISO100, which will give you a 30W equivalent or better through the steering pump.

It's still not thick enough for me on a hot summer day, but there's nothing thicker available around here in quart quantities. I'm using 50W racing oil from AutoZone in summer, and may go to the ISO100 in the winter if the 50W proves too thick. After all, we're only talking a quart and a half oil change here.

//greg//

 

[Paddy]

OK greg.

I should unhook the FEL lines so I don't end up with a gal of diesel in the system when exercizing?

 

[greg_g]

I should unhook the FEL lines so I don't end up with a gal of diesel in the system when exercizing?

Well, it's Chinese fluids and their residue we're purging here. If it's not a Chinese loader - and hasn't had Chinese fluids run through it - flushing that circuit is optional I guess.

The specific gravity of AW32 (~.860) is awfully close to that of typical diesel fuel (sg~.865). That's why I recommend kerosene (sg~.817) instead; the lighter specific gravity makes it separate better in the sump. And being more volatile, what little kero doesn't drain will evaporate faster than would diesel. So if you do decide to flush the FEL circuit, residual kero shouldn't be an issue.

//greg//