Hydraulic pipe fittings showing severe RUST and leaking

[aimlessrolling]

A few months ago I inspected my John Deere 540 loader (PC2354) hydraulics lines and they looked fine, but just aged. This weekend when using the loader, it sprang a hydraulic leak from one of the hydraulic oil line fittings on the loader. Upon inspection, all the fittings on the 4 hydraulic pipes on the loader were severely pitted, and one had pitted to the point of failure. I took the below pic of one of the fittings to show the pitting, and to me this looks like electrolysis in action and I want to solicit other opinions. The loader is on a Deere 5300 tractor (vintage 1993) that I have owned for 5 years, and while aged, she is a beast and we work well together. I did quite a bit of work to the 540 loader when I first acquired the 5300, such as replacing leaking hydraulic cylinder seals on the bucket cylinders and replaced the bucket cylinder hoses and added a third SCV that I use with a grapple and tree puller. Now I am replacing the all 4 oil lines and also the hydraulic hoses on the lift cylinder. I have attached the parts diagram showing the oil lines (NOS 1, 2, 3, & 4 in the diagram). The tractor sits outdoors and as the generator isn't working, I do put it in an overnight battery charger (Black&Decker BC6BDW) about one night a month, but as the charger has a trickle feather I left it more than usual this winter..... and I hope I am not answering my own question with that statement.

So, any opinions what might have caused this recent onset of corrosion to the fittings and how to prevent it from occurring on the new lines?

 

[hosspuller]

I have a 540 loader too.... Vintage 1996 … The best protection is a shed. The weather will cause the damage you're fighting. Any coating, paint, galvanizing, cad plate goes away quickly in the weather.

Do you suspect the charger had any part in the corrosion ? As in reverse impressed current ?

 

[ovrszd]

I'm curious about that as well?

I've never heard of anyone having this problem because of a charger, but there's always a first time....

Are we saying that the fittings were fine a few months ago and are now failing?

 

[RNeumann]

Based on your proximity to the ocean, the rust streak on the body paint and the severely weather warn hose below the fitting I’m thinking this is good old rust from good old weather and salt air.

 

[aimlessrolling]

I'm curious about that as well?

I've never heard of anyone having this problem because of a charger, but there's always a first time....

Are we saying that the fittings were fine a few months ago and are now failing?

Yes, just a couple of months ago I was working on another part in that area and I inspected for leaks at joints and seals and overall hydraulics. There was light surface rust - but no pitting.

I have seen galvanic corrosion and this looks similar.

 

[aimlessrolling]

Well, yes, and thanks for the comment. I致e lived most of my life closer to the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico than I am now and I am familiar with the effects of salt air and I don稚 think the salt would ONLY hit the fittings on the oil lines and leave the tractor and all my other tools alone.

FYI, I have worked in refineries and chemical plants, many of which are within sight of salt water bodies, and have fought their corrosiveness most of my adult life.

 

[aimlessrolling]

Thanks for your reply. Currently working on that shed.... 60x60 metal building.

Galvanic corrosion is the only thing I can come up with due to the pitts appearing to come from deep in the fitting body and I知 not sure it痴 even possible, but process of elimination and consideration for what may have changed and that was what was left.

No other parts on the tractor appear to be impacted.

 

[ovrszd]

This is very interesting. I'm not sure how we will get a conclusive answer. But I'm definitely interested and following. All updates will be appreciated.

 

[aimlessrolling]

Thanks, will update. Have ordered the replacement lines, getting hydraulic hoses locally at a part store with an Irish sounding name and already had some cylinder seals that I wanted to put on.

Going to do a full inspection and service before sending her back out. Did put a new battery on last week so less charging due to weak battery, hope it just goes away.

 

[BertZegers]

A mouse urinated on it.