6 year old tractor with 175 hrs, should 300 hour hydraulic fluid change be done now?

[sweep]

My 6 year old tc45a only has 175 hrs. Stored inside all year in temperature controlled environment. Should the "300 hour" hydraulic fluid be changed due to age and not hours-possible water/acid in oil build up or sludge be a concern?

Waste of money or needed?

 

[John Morgan]

6 year old hydraulic fluid? Better safe than sorry, yes change it. Cheap insurance.

 

[WilliamBos]

I agree with John. And if you want to go the extra mile, try and get a sample about mid drain, and send it out for analysis. Should ease your conscience.

 

[art]

I'd leave the tractor sitting for a twenty four hour period and loosen the drain plug and see if you get any moisture!

In theory yes you should change it but the fact of not being in changing temps the chance of moisture is small and other wise the oil should be good!

 

[Reg]

Given that "real" tractors (whatever THOSE are) sit out for 30 years or more and don't ever get the hydraulic oil changed - - I would say changing it is very expensive insurance against an essentially zero risk.

Of course oil companies have conditioned us to believe that all sorts of bad things happen if oil changes are skipped, if a drop or two of moisture "contaminates" the oil, or even if the schedule is stretched a bit, but hey - they're SELLING OIL, right ?

BTW, I have "changed fluids" in my old junkers when in school and later those of my off-sprung - found water, sludge, etc and rear axle oils like molasses.
Other than "peace of mind" at the time it was probably a waste of money.
(in retrospect).

 

[5030]

Change intervals are based on severity of use, hours and length of service, calculated by engineers for a particular type of fluid or a particular piece of equipment.

Every recomendation I've ever seen is based on the above, and/or....

'x' number of hours or 'x' length of time

Just because you don't use it don't mean the lubricant is like new because it has been absorbing moisture and holding contamination in suspension.....

In other words, change it.

 

[sweep]

I'd leave the tractor sitting for a twenty four hour period and loosen the drain plug and see if you get any moisture!

I'm going to try this today to see if any water comes out but I'm probably going to change the fluid this week.

 

[Zork]

Change it so you have a benchmark

 

[whodat526]

BTW, I have "changed fluids" in my old junkers when in school and later those of my off-sprung - found water, sludge, etc and rear axle oils like molasses.
Other than "peace of mind" at the time it was probably a waste of money.
(in retrospect).

the day i changed the oil in my mustangs rear axle it was like u descriced so i but new in it the next day the rear end went out

 

[Reg]

Change intervals are based on severity of use, hours and length of service, calculated by engineers for a particular type of fluid or a particular piece of equipment.

That is what many/most of us have been led to believe.
The reality is that oil company sales droids come up with magic numbers designed to maximize their profits (-: