Cheap Hydraulic Fluid

[chips2002]

Hello,

I am in need of some hydraulic fluid. It is for a hydraulic power unit that pumps hydraulic fluid. The manufacture recommends using AW32 fluid. I drained all the oil out and it is black. Are these fluids like this when used?

I think I will need to flush the system. The tank has a 25 gallon capacity. How much fluid would I need to flush the system? I am thinking about buying 50 gallons.

Where could I find cheap hydraulic oil in 5 gallon pails? I live in Los Angeles, CA.

Thanks.

 

[kenmac]

Sams sells it in 55 gallons here. You can call around to some of the oil dealers in your area.I would run it through the systen until clear.Does the unit have a filter ?

 

[chips2002]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, the system has a filter and a filter service gauge. I changed the oil and the filter about 6 months and has about 200 hours on it. The funny thing is that when I did the service, the filter service gauge showed that the filter was bad within the first 15 minutes of operating the unit. So, I thought maybe the gauge was bad but maybe the oil is really dirty.

How much do those 55 gallon hydraulic fluids run at Sams club? I called the Sams club around my neighborhood, and they don't sell them. Do I have to order it from them?

 

[MadReferee]

Around here hydraulic fluid in 5 gallon buckets will cost between $25 and $30 depending on where you get it. I just purchased two 5 gallon buckets from my local hydraulic repair shop for $25 each for my bulldozer. It's Molil MobilFluid 424. The label says it's compatible with several tractor manufacturers fluid including Kubota UDT.

 

[DieselPower]

Should the oil be black or is that normal. Nope, not by a long shot. Sounds like either contaminated fluid or severly overheated and cooked oil. I would highly suggest taking a sample of the nasty black stuff and sending it in for a oil analysis to find out what is making it balck. You might find there are other problems lurking in your system.

Give the system a good flush just like you plan on doing and changing any filters in the system.

Do you know what kind of temp's your system is running at? Could it be overheating? Does it have a cooler and if so is it plugged or maybe a fan not working? Lot's of thing's to check but your oil turned black for a reason.

The only other thing I can think of that would turn the oil black is if someone installed a hose in the hydraulic system that is not rated for oil. The oil might be eating away at the hose and causing the oil to turn black. Another reason to do a used oil analysis, you need to find out why it is black so it does not happen again. Last thing you want to do is flush the system, refill it and find it is black again in a month or so.

When your ready to refill use a high quality hydraulic oil and make sure to do scheduled used oil analysis to keep a eye on the system. Make sure the hydraulic oil you choose meets the operating temp range of your equipment and that it is a highly anti foam additive oil. If you use TRC lubricants they provide free oil analysis for their products. Texas Refinery Corp. Specialty Lubricants and Greases

 

[chips2002]

Thanks for your reply. I guess I will get an analysis of the oil. Where would you recommend I get this done? How much do these tests run and how long does it take?

 

[DieselPower]

There are numerous companies that do oil analysis. TRC uses Wear Check. Just do a Google or Yahoo search for "Used Oil Analysis" and take your pick. If you want to use Wear Check their site can be found at WearCheck - Condition Monitoring through Oil Analysis . Take a sample and send it in to them in the bottle they provide and as soon as it is tested they will drop you a email to let you know. The results are viewable online on their website and then shortly thereafter you will receive a printed copy of it in the mail for your records. For your refill if you use a high quality lubricants manufacturer like TRC they provide oil analysis for their fluid for free from then on.

 

[kenmac]

Do you have a large equipment dealer (like a cat dealer ) near you . The 1 near me has an oil lab . they do oil analysis on the big cat. machines all the time for wear metals. You can also check blackstone labs., the amsoil website AMSOIL Corporate - Source of the World's Best Synthetic Lubricants - Motor Oil and Filters offers oil analysis. The hyd . oil may cost alot if you are even able to order from sams . I know they carry different itens for different areas. Check with a local oil distributer in your area.