fluid change interval

bumblebee · Dec 28, 2015

I have a 2005 skid steer with 160 hours and a 2008 John Deere with 110 hours. Both have Yanmar engines. The engine oil has been changed regularly, every two years. Both units are kept inside where it doesn't get below freezing. Whats you guys opinion on how often the other fluids should be changed?

I am sure there will be several comments about why I own something with such low hours, I am hoping someone will have an answer to the question!

Russ from MN · Dec 28, 2015

I would consult the owners manual, but considering how little you use them and store them inside, I think you could extend the recommended interval. I have the same situation, we have an 01 JD 4600 with 850 hrs, and I have changed oil about every 2 years, but I have only changed the other fluids once. I understand the PH of the coolant is important, so I should either test it or change it this spring. Many years ago we had to change a sleeve in out JD 350 crawler that had eaten through from the outside. I understood it was from electrolysis, maybe bad coolant.

David G · Dec 28, 2015

Other fluids can typically go several hundred to a few thousand hours, check your manual.

JayinNY · Dec 28, 2015

Don't you have a owners manual to tell you? Or a sticker on the machine somewhere, both my tractors had stickers under the hoods for recomonded maintenance.

Steve@Advance · Dec 28, 2015

I would be concerned about the coolant. Even sitting, the corrosion inhibitors get depleted.

As for hydraulic oil, I never change it unless there is a problem like a pump failure or some kind of contamination. A new filter might be in order.

LarrySTN · Dec 29, 2015

I have been wrenching for over 40 years and have seen a lot. Seldom run engines like yours creates a lot of sludge from condensation. High hour machines have way less time to build condensation, and usually are warmed sufficiently to evaporate the condensation. I highly recommend changing the engine oil once a year, dropping the oil just after you get done using it. I would also have a sample of the hydraulic oil tested once every 2 years(Deere has a great deal on analysis), an oil analysis isn't very expensive, but hydraulic/hydrostatic oil contaminated with condensation becomes acidic and can cause increased wear on critical components of your hydrostatic drive.Proper maintenance doesn't cost much but can save many thousands in repair and down time.

LarrySTN · Dec 29, 2015

As Steve has said coolant can also become corrosive. Test strips available to test that, and there are additives to add to older coolant to correct deficiencies.

fluid change interval

bumblebee

Well-known Member

Russ from MN

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

JayinNY

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

LarrySTN

Member

LarrySTN

Member

Similar threads