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Contaminated Hydraulic Oil

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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2015-09-25          193778


Been rebuilding a boom mower over the last month or two. Made a dumb mistake when had it all done, failed to examine the hydraulic tank but thought it was fully drained probably why it never entered my mind. Turns out the outlet tube is about 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of the reservoir so it was not fully drained. Filled it (only 20 gallons)and thought had miscalculated how many gallons the tank would hold as expected it to take 25 to the sight tubing. Turned out there was gunk in the tank. Best I can describe it looked like toilet paper that has been set in water and dissolved with on agitation to it. I think that is water that is lumped due to the chemicals in the oil but no idea. I have since found the true drain and drained it and took off the clean out plate and used mop to clean the tank and rinsed it with diesel fuel and refilled with new oil, yep 25 gallons was needed.

So I learned the outlet for some hydraulic tanks is not on the bottom of the tank while have one it is on the very bottom, if it has clean out plate always check it and do so before you begin the rebuild job.

Now I have about 25 gallons of contaminated hydraulic oil with about 20 of those gallons brand new oil. I rather dispose of the oil than risk a machine. Would never consider using in a tractor system but in such as my hydraulic cutters system would IF it can be filtered fine.

Is there a reasonable way to filter that oil or should it be a lesson and used in a heater that can burn it? If it can be filtered what kind of filter? kt




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Contaminated Hydraulic Oil

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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2015-09-26          193779


Kenny, over the years I've found that about the best method is using Mother Nature.

Put the oil off to one side and let it set a while. The water, gunk and any sediment will drop to the bottom. if you put the oil in black plastic 5 gallon containers and leave them exposed to the sun even better.

Afterwards use a small pump or very slowly and gently pour about half the oil out of each container into clean containers, then combine the remnants in order to repeat the above process. You should be easily reduce the contaminated oil down to about 5 gallons of concentrated stuff. Abandon that stuff to your local recycling facility.

Even though you've got pretty clean stuff at this stage be sure to a) check it before you use it, b) be sure to pass it through a filtering funnel, and c) never drain the container to the very bottom, just in case.

Best of luck. ....


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Contaminated Hydraulic Oil

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Carolinablue
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 28 NC
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2015-09-26          193780


Quote:
Originally Posted by Murf | view 193779
Kenny, over the years I've found that about the best method is using Mother Nature. Put the oil off to one side and let it set a while. The water, gunk and any sediment will drop to the bottom. if you put the oil in black plastic 5 gallon containers and leave them exposed to the sun even better.Afterwards use a small pump or very slowly and gently pour about half the oil out of each container into clean containers, then combine the remnants in order to repeat the above process. You should be easily reduce the contaminated oil down to about 5 gallons of concentrated stuff. Abandon that stuff to your local recycling facility.Even though you've got pretty clean stuff at this stage be sure to a) check it before you use it, b) be sure to pass it through a filtering funnel, and c) never drain the container to the very bottom, just in case. Best of luck.


I totally agree, especially with that many gallons. ....


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Contaminated Hydraulic Oil

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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2015-09-26          193784


Thanks. I have it already in 5 gallon buckets and 4 or 5 are black and yes they are sitting in the sun. Not by plan just was frustrated with the issue and had not moved under shelter. kt ....


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