sealants, hydraulic

[fred saas]

Perhaps i worded my message too politically correct.

The Bars product is snake oil. There is no magical fix to a leak other than to fix the cause. I would not suggest using this product or any other product that will cure the leak. It takes a great deal to hold back 2500 psi. If it can plug a hole with a 2500 psi pressure differential it will cause havoc elsewhere in the system. The tolerances in hydraulic systems are 0.0001" in spools on the valves. There is very little tolerance for foreign objects in a hydraulic system. In my current job we do testing on hydraulics with intentional debris in the system as part of the lifecycle testing. We go through several sets of valves before we can finish qualifying a unit. Softening of seals will just cause a premature failure elsewhere, potentially an immediate failure. Seals are specified to a particular durometer so that they can balance wear and sealing capabilities. There has been significant testing done on this to find the right balance. Please do not try to fix the leak with some magic cure all, it will in the long term make some not so magical mess.

Sportsman762, This time, you worded it correctly. It was actually a whack on the back of my head. I appreciate it. So far, I just added some Bars to the fronts wheels which carry 1 quart of fluid and I add ed 1 oz. Bars. I'll drain them. Thank you for the feedback! I didn't enjoy admitting anything, but I think you've helped others also...

 

[rScotty]

Sportsman762, This time, you worded it correctly. It was actually a whack on the back of my head. I appreciate it. So far, I just added some Bars to the fronts wheels which carry 1 quart of fluid and I add ed 1 oz. Bars. I'll drain them. Thank you for the feedback! I didn't enjoy admitting anything, but I think you've helped others also...

Well, lets back up here. What kind of tractor? Fred, what you just posted changes things.

There are a few tractors out there that have hydraulic drive to the front wheels and high hydraulic pressures. But most front wheels on 4wd are just mechanical drive with normal seals. While I agree with Ban the Bars on the hydraulic drive front wheels, those are pretty rare.

On the front wheel drive tractors with mechanical 4wd The Bars won't hurt....An ounce is negligible. There is no high hydraulic pressure in that type front end. But for small leaks the better solution on those is to change from hydraulic fluid to a 75w-90 gear oil and also make sure that the front axle is vented to atmosphere and not over filled. Proper fill on the mechanical type is just enough to touch the bottom of the rotating axle.
rScotty

 

[fred saas]

Well, lets back up here. What kind of tractor? Fred, what you just posted changes things.

There are a few tractors out there that have hydraulic drive to the front wheels and high hydraulic pressures. But most front wheels on 4wd are just mechanical drive with normal seals. While I agree with Ban the Bars on the hydraulic drive front wheels, those are pretty rare.

On the front wheel drive tractors with mechanical 4wd The Bars won't hurt....An ounce is negligible. There is no high hydraulic pressure in that type front end. But for small leaks the better solution on those is to change from hydraulic fluid to a 75w-90 gear oil and also make sure that the front axle is vented to atmosphere and not over filled. Proper fill on the mechanical type is just enough to touch the bottom of the rotating axle.
rScotty

Boy, Oh Boy, the more I find out, the less I know. My tractor a New Holland Ford 445C loader 8 X 8 with a Ford 764 backhoe. BTW, I'm 90, the tractor did it's job. Anyone want to make an offer/

 

[rScotty]

Boy, Oh Boy, the more I find out, the less I know. My tractor a New Holland Ford 445C loader 8 X 8 with a Ford 764 backhoe. BTW, I'm 90, the tractor did it's job. Anyone want to make an offer/

Wow! What a beautiful old machine that is! And in really nice shape, too. Lucky you .

Those old Fords had a common type of mechanical drive 4wd assist - the kind that you only use when you have to, and then put it back into 2wd when you are past the problem spot. There is no hydraulic pressure circulaton or filters in the front axle. It's a real strong front axle. The limitation is the type of Constant Velocity joint they have in each front wheel doesn't allow it to turn in 4wd as tightly as the bevel gear type in the more modern compact tractors.

If the only problem is in the front axle, my experience is most mechanical part time drive front axles leak a little oil after two or three decades. Mine do too - on our JD310SG 4wd that has a similar front axle. I believe there are actually three separate oil reservoirs in your front axle - one for the front axle and a wet CV out at each wheel.That's what our 310SG has & the Ford 445C looks similar. I don't believe that an ounce of Bars leak will hurt any of them.....or that it will do much good.....but it might.

If it has motor oil or trans/hydraulic in any of those front axle reservoirs then switching to a modern multi-viscosity gear lube in 75w-90 or 80w-90 will slow down a slow seep, but nothing except new seals will fix one completely. That's a lot of pain for a little gain.

If it were mine, I'd check that the levels are good, park on old gravel, and not worry about it past that.

rScotty