Loader Hydraulic Rod on FEL coated black

[rod97301]

Have a 2 year old 3038E. I was doing some work pulling some stubborn fence posts out of the ground with my FEL. Afterwards, I noticed that the rods were essentially black. Coated with hydraulic fluid. Could someone tell me what has failed? All 4 hydraulic rods on the FEL are like this. I'm new to tractors and could use some helpful feedback.

Thanks!

 

[rod97301]

I also should note that the loader still works as if nothing is wrong.

 

[lilranch2001]

Have a 2 year old 3038E. I was doing some work pulling some stubborn fence posts out of the ground with my FEL. Afterwards, I noticed that the rods were essentially black. Coated with hydraulic fluid. Could someone tell me what has failed? All 4 hydraulic rods on the FEL are like this. I'm new to tractors and could use some helpful feedback.

Thanks!

Honestly, I do not know if Deeres cylinders are chrome or black oxide plated
I know my Bobcat has black oxide plaing on the rod cylinders

Is it black oil or is the cylinder rod itself black?

 

[dschuffert]

My 3720 with a 300CX is black. It came that way from the factory a few months ago.

 

[Gator6x4]

Have a 2 year old 3038E. I was doing some work pulling some stubborn fence posts out of the ground with my FEL. Afterwards, I noticed that the rods were essentially black. Coated with hydraulic fluid. Could someone tell me what has failed? All 4 hydraulic rods on the FEL are like this. I'm new to tractors and could use some helpful feedback.

Thanks!

Changed you hydraulic oil recently? If yes did you use JD recommended or something close? I found this on the internet.

Hydraulic Rods changing color:

When the color of hydraulic cylinder turn to black blue or purple it is because the cylinder obtain a layer of colored membrane, but not the cylinder its self. In general case, it will turn to blue, then gets darker to purple and finally turn to black. The reasons for color changing can be a few such as:

1. The piston rod frequently contacts to low temperature environment when hydraulic system is working in high temperature.

2. Using hydraulic oil that is not the same brand with the hydraulic cylinder during the maintenance period. Color changing usually happens within a couple of days after changing oil. It is because there is a kind of EP(extremely pressure) anti wear which has the same function and quality with the hydraulic cylinder
3. Electrode position layer has chap because of non-uniform temperature controlling when electro facing the piston rod.

4. Blue color is because the additive of hydraulic seal and inner cylinder sticks on the piston rod under high temperature; black color is because additive inside of the abrasion resistant bush sticks on the piston rod. it is usually because the temperature is too high. We suggest cleaning the radiator/oil cooler frequently to guarantee the heat dissipation effect. If it just has some blue little color on hydraulic cylinder, then we can ignore it because it will disappear by itself after a time. But if the color changed a lot, then the oil seal and wear resistant bush should be changed. Meanwhile try to avoid high temperature ,and after a while things will turn back to normal.

 

[glc24]

Have a 2 year old 3038E. I was doing some work pulling some stubborn fence posts out of the ground with my FEL. Afterwards, I noticed that the rods were essentially black. Coated with hydraulic fluid. Could someone tell me what has failed? All 4 hydraulic rods on the FEL are like this. I'm new to tractors and could use some helpful feedback.

Thanks!

You didn't notice the color when you first got your tractor? That's odd.
Jd has been using this process instead of chrome for a few years now.
The rods are coated with black nitride.This is a factory process. I'm sure they were that color new.
Much better than chrome for these reasons:

Superior corrosion and wear resistance
Better oil retention (longer seal life)
Dimensional uniformity
Dent resistant - without the need for induction hardening
No pitting, flaking or micro-cracking
Environmentally friendly process

You can Google black nitride to find quite a bit of info on this process

Greg

 

[jwinner]

Have a 2 year old 3038E. I was doing some work pulling some stubborn fence posts out of the ground with my FEL. Afterwards, I noticed that the rods were essentially black. Coated with hydraulic fluid. Could someone tell me what has failed? All 4 hydraulic rods on the FEL are like this. I'm new to tractors and could use some helpful feedback.

Thanks!

Hah! Have you owned it for 2 years? They came that way - as the other poster mentioned, it's actually supposed to be better than chromed cylinder rods. Nitride. You can sleep tight knowing you did not damage your tractor!

 

[rod97301]

Well guys - I have egg on my face... you are right. Under close inspection, the rods are black. I'll chalk this one up to a senior moment! I obviously haven't paid close attention to the change over the past couple of years. I've always seen hydraulic rods as shiny chrome - so I rushed to judgement when I noticed this on my tractor.