question - possible water in Hydraulic oil - cover was off the fluid input hole.

newbury · Feb 3, 2016

davesl708 said:
Check the fluid level. If noticeable increase then loosen the drain plug after they unit has set overnight. The water may settle in a different place other than near the drain.

Is the fluid looking milky after operating? If so then there is to much water in the fluid and needs to be removed.

Any idea how much water it takes to turn the oil milky?

Green Acres Homestead · Feb 3, 2016

newbury said:
Any idea how much water it takes to turn the oil milky?

I don't In 40 litres I suspect at least a 1/2 litre. But if the oil is not milky I am hoping it will be ok for another 100 hours to get me through the winter. I will change everything out then. Hope it doesn't freeze if there is any in there.

Gary Fowler · Feb 3, 2016

I wouldn't think you have a problem with snow getting inside your housing from an overnight storm. I rather doubt you got more than a few snow flakes to settle thru a 2" opening. What is it 10" of snow = 1" of rain or something like that. So if you got a foot of snow and all of it that fell in that 2" circle went into the tractor, you would have about an inch of water in a 2" circle which is not a lot of water. Normal operation will likely evaporate that out in a short period of time.

bspeedy · Feb 4, 2016

If the oil looks good on the dipstick as well as the amount you drained, I would not worry about it. Emulsified oil and water looks like a chocolate milkshake and is easy to spot.

fortec · Feb 4, 2016

By the time oil looks 'milky' it's way over the 'safe' limit. The question that you need to ask is whether the equipment is worth more than the oil change will cost?
The water content can be as high as 10,000 ppm before you can see any visual evidence. Most OEMs agree that 1,000 ppm is the 'safe' limit.

DEWFPO · Feb 5, 2016

It seems to me the 7 hours of use the next day should have boiled off any moisture.

DEWFPO

fortec · Feb 6, 2016

It will not. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to just 'bite the bullet' and change the oil.

Gary Fowler · Feb 6, 2016

If you drained a 3 quart sample, let it set, saw no water then I would say that there is little if any in the reservoir. Snow doesn't fall into a non vented hole easily even with just a bit of wind. As long as the oil is clear after running it, you are good to go. Why waste $200 worth of good oil for no reason. I think you have done plenty to assure that no water of consequence is in the hydraulic system. Just run it and stop worrying. I assume you did find the fill plug and it is now installed.

Green Acres Homestead · Feb 11, 2016

Gary Fowler said:
I wouldn't think you have a problem with snow getting inside your housing from an overnight storm. I rather doubt you got more than a few snow flakes to settle thru a 2" opening. What is it 10" of snow = 1" of rain or something like that. So if you got a foot of snow and all of it that fell in that 2" circle went into the tractor, you would have about an inch of water in a 2" circle which is not a lot of water. Normal operation will likely evaporate that out in a short period of time.

thanks. Good math. I pull the drain plug and drained a couple of quarts. No sign of water. Put it back in, top it up and away I went. No problems so far.

Green Acres Homestead · Feb 11, 2016

Gary Fowler said:
If you drained a 3 quart sample, let it set, saw no water then I would say that there is little if any in the reservoir. Snow doesn't fall into a non vented hole easily even with just a bit of wind. As long as the oil is clear after running it, you are good to go. Why waste $200 worth of good oil for no reason. I think you have done plenty to assure that no water of consequence is in the hydraulic system. Just run it and stop worrying. I assume you did find the fill plug and it is now installed.

exactly what I did and how I ended up thinking but I certainly respect everyone's opinion.