Hydraulic oil change - warm or cold?

BTF · Mar 26, 2011

Going to do the 50 hour oil change today. Engine oil already done.

The tractor hasn't been used for a few weeks. Would it be better to warm up or just do the change as is? I realize with an engine you want to put the contaminated in suspension, but with the hydraulic fluid I'm thinking all the potential bad stuff is already at the plugs.

If it doesn't make any difference, I'd prefer to just get to it.

Thanks

Bruce

bp fick · Mar 26, 2011

I doubt the world would stop spinning either way, but I tend to "warm" fluids before changing. It seems like they flow better. Hydro fluid is pretty thin, so it'll flow either way.

Yeah, just get at it!!

lockhaven · Mar 26, 2011

I have found that the filters will be a bit easier to remove when hot, I have a power stroke diesel that if it is not hot the oil filter will not come off short of a hammer and pry bar

jimmyj · Mar 26, 2011

I don't know if there is any technical benefit but I always warm the oil too.

Mousefield · Mar 26, 2011

Warm oil tends to flow better. When I did my 50 hour I warmed up the tractor.

RickB · Mar 26, 2011

jimmyj said:
I don't know if there is any technical benefit but I always warm the oil too.

The technical benefit is that any particles that have settled out of the cooled oil may be re-suspended as the oil is circulated within its reservoir and carried out rather than left behind.

VictorW · Mar 26, 2011

I vote for warm oil. It's what I was taught long ago mainly to suspend all the fine particles in the oil. It just takes a little more time for a complete drain being that all the oil needs time to flow down and out the drains. That's not to say the cold drain is wrong and would hurt anything. Do what works for you.

bp fick · Mar 26, 2011

I'm thinking he's got 'er drained by now.

BTF · Mar 27, 2011

Thanks Guys.

Warm it was.

All went well except for the lower filter. Tried a variety of filter wrenches, and fortunately had the help of an extremely strong neighbor would could exert more force than my arthritic hands could. The multi size filter was the one that eventually got the filter loose. I was surprised how liltle effort it took to remove the drain plugs.

All in all, well worth doing it myself (with help). Gave me a good chance to look things over so if things start to develop I'll know how it supposed to be.

Thanks again,

Bruce