Possible Hydraulic Fluid Contamination

[Rivertrac]

I recently pressure washed my B2620 and later discovered the hydraulic fill plug behind the seat was missing (found it on the ground after I moved the tractor). Should I be concerned about water in the hydraulics, do the filters capture water and are there any indications (sounds) that would lead a person to believe there is water in the hydraulic fluid? I have checked the dipstick multiple times while the tractor is operating looking for "cream colored" fluid like one sees if there is water in the oil of a car engine.

 

[ipz2222]

Tough decision. A lot of money to change the fluid if you didn't get much water in it and real expensive to fix damage from rust if you got too much water and don't change it. The safe side would be to change the fluid..

 

[Kubota Newbie]

You'll know soon enough, if it has water in it, it will get "milky" as soon as you use it.

 

[gpreuss]

You can drain the fluid completely into clean buckets - home depot sells 5 gal ones really cheap - then put only the hyd fluid back. Any water should settle to the bottom of the bucket. Any little bit of water that remains should evaporate away when you work the tractor.

 

[Rivertrac]

Thanks Guys, all good points/suggestions. I'm leaning toward draining the existing fluid and changing filters then return the majority of the fluid to the tractor leaving the bottom inch of fluid in the bucket and replacing with new to the correct level. Long term, we'll see if this is a viable solution. This tractor gets a lot of use during the summer and fall but not so much during the winter unless there is a lot of snow up here in the North woods.

 

[ipz2222]

When you drain it, let the oil sit as long as possible, at least 24 hrs. This will give the water time to settle to the bottom.

 

[motorhead]

I would NOT re-use the oil! NAPA sells a 5 gallon pail for about $60. and the filters are abut $10.00 each. Why would you risk a multi thousand dollar tractor drive train AND all of your hydraulics for the thrift of reusing oil that has water contamination?
The theory of "Spend a DOLLAR to save a DIME" comes to mind. My $0.02

 

[GWD]

I really doubt that much water got into the fill hole/hydraulic reservoir. Pressure washers use much less water than a hose so a 1/4 cup would be a lot of water to go into a relatively small fill hole using a power washer.

Condensation over a winter would probably cause that much water.

But do continue to check the dipstick and also check the inside of the fill cap as well. If you get the milk on either then it is time for a change.

Rather than draining the oil and waiting until it separates you could let the tractor sit for a couple of days, remove the drain plug, and let about a quart out. Examine the quart. If no water then you are fine.

If a little water then you still may be fine since most of it would be drained in that quart.

 

[JOE LOW]

I would NOT re-use the oil! NAPA sells a 5 gallon pail for about $60. and the filters are abut $10.00 each. Why would you risk a multi thousand dollar tractor drive train AND all of your hydraulics for the thrift of reusing oil that has water contamination?
The theory of "Spend a DOLLAR to save a DIME" comes to mind. My $0.02

WAIT WHAT? NAPA has filters for hydraulics b2620?
Any idea of the xover #
Thanks

 

[motorhead]

Sent you an email......... I have bought hyd filters for both of my Kubotas from Napa.