Should You Change Your Hydraulic Oil?

[Running Arrow Bill]

Wondering...

Tractor "manuals" say to change your hydraulic oil after/every XXX hours. Is this a CYA issue for the manufacturers? Or...

Does hydraulic oil NEED to be periodically changed (initially 1st time when a new tractor)? Or, unlike engine oil, it is a closed system with no exposure to combusion events.

Appreciate any comments, experiences, etc., on this.

 

[tom4018]

There are wear particles in the oil, contaminants from hooking and unhooking couplers. Condensation also affects it. Some people never change it and get by, with today's complex hydraulic systems I would not risk it.

 

[jedstivers]

Ours is self changing. Do change filters though.

 

[tom4018]

Ours is self changing. Do change filters though.

You must run JD's.

 

[jedstivers]

Ours is self changing. Do change filters though.

You must run JD's.

It's not the tractors, it's the implements.

 

[highgrit]

Keep the filter changed and the screen clean and you'll be fine.

 

[Stocker Steve]

I like to fit the leaks and then change it when I purchase a tractor. If it is really bad it will be white or gray from the condensation.

 

[1wlimo]

If you want a tractor that changes it's own oil then a McCormick is ideal. Or that is when they run any way.

Renault used to be pretty good at leaks too.

 

[cypressfarms]

My old ford has such a bad leak at the front end loader transfer box, that I don't have to worry about changing the hyd. oil. I'm going through about 10 gallons per month!!!

 

[Limomike]

Changed out my hydraulic oil & screen when I put in a new clutch last year. (right at 7,000 hours) Before that, only one other time was it changed out. Other than that.. I just add some about every couple of months when it gets low (yep, I got a coupler link underneath that is leaking)

 

[3legdonkey]

I do it every three years. It never looked like it needed it so I could probably go longer. My reasoning is I don't usually drive the tractor so I do not know how it is being used/abused. If it were only me driving the tractor I would check the hyd. oil monthly and change when it looked or smelled like it needed to be changed.

 

[bigbull338]

Wondering...

Tractor "manuals" say to change your hydraulic oil after/every XXX hours. Is this a CYA issue for the manufacturers? Or...

Does hydraulic oil NEED to be periodically changed (initially 1st time when a new tractor)? Or, unlike engine oil, it is a closed system with no exposure to combusion events.

Appreciate any comments, experiences, etc., on this.

bill im glad you brought this q up.on the real old tractors weve never changed the hydro oil ever.just adding new oil when needed.but if you have 1 of the newer HST or HDC tractors.you have to change the hydro oil the 1st 50 to 100hrs or so.an then change it every 400hrs.it cost me $400 to completely service my tractor.

 

[saltbranch]

On the forklifts I used to be over I always pulled samples every year, sent in for analysis and followed recommendations from reports, did change hyd. fluid every 2 yrs even with good sample reports. Changed engine oil and all filters every 200 hours. That was in a high use/abuse enviroment.
On our tractor since its mainly weekend use only I do oil/filters every 3 months. I did the Hydraulic sample when we bought, everything came back good. Still have not decided on how long to go on full hyd. fluid change, may just go by sample results.Curious to see whats posted on this thread too.

 

[Caustic Burno]

Wondering...

Tractor "manuals" say to change your hydraulic oil after/every XXX hours. Is this a CYA issue for the manufacturers? Or...

Does hydraulic oil NEED to be periodically changed (initially 1st time when a new tractor)? Or, unlike engine oil, it is a closed system with no exposure to combusion events.

Appreciate any comments, experiences, etc., on this.

I will say this I change mine every spring and use one gallon of Lucas oil treatment, 1977 model never been in the tranny.
It spent it's entire life with a hay cutter or a baler behind it until last year when I sold my hay equipment.