[tractornewbie]

Is this really a big issue?

I've found a pretty good Bobcat 463 and a good source for rental attachments but am not sure if the hydro fluid contanimation potential is a show stopper or not.

Is renting attachments very risky because of potential hydro fluid contanimation?

Or is this not really a big deal?

Also, is there any effective maintenence to make renting attachments less risky vs. contanimated hydro fluid?

Thanks alot,

DT.

[Stonehenge]

I'm not the best guy to talk to about hydraulics, so take this with a grain of salt. If I understand the hydro systems of most skidsteers, there's a filter somewhere in the circulation of fluid; so while it's possible that whoever rented that attachment last had an old filter and there was a little crud floating around in the hydros when it was disconnected, your filtration should clean up anything left over and work fine.

But like I said, there are people here that would be much better to talk to about this than I am.

[VoodooChile]

What about hydraulic fluid compatibility issues?

I had my Toro deck mower serviced last week, including a change of hydraulic fluid and filter, and while the manual and fluid reservoir both specified 424, the factory had used ATF. The guy who did the servicing called around and eventually talked to a fluid engineer who signed off on continuing with ATF, versus a costly flushing of the system to switch over to 424.

This makes me wonder whether what's in my Dingo's hydraulics is the same as what the rental place is using...If the factory doesn't follow their own specifications, why would a rental place?

[dan deutekom]

I think this is a very valid question. Our Case 1845C specifies 30 weight motor oil for the hydraulic system. Would this be compatible with the hydraulic fluids in rental attachments and could it cause trouble down the road? I think it is anybodies guess but it is kind of scary considering the cost of hydraulic repairs.

[Paul]

If your worried about the 1 or 2 quarts of oil in the lines, You could open them up and drain the oil, but we never had a problem with any rental attachments.

Caveat #1 if the attachment looks like it's been thru hell and back with dirty couplers and the like I'd have second thoughts about hooking it up to my machine.

[Dirt Dogs]

Fluid compatability does pose a problem in rental equipment as well as contamination. I spent about $250 on a hydro filter with a 12 inch whip hose on each end. When I rent from my dealer I hook up the filter inline on the return line and cycle the attachment a few times to make sure it is clean before removing it and hooking it to my machine. If I have to rent from another rental outfit I drain the attachment, hook up my filter, cycle the hydro then hook it up. I have had very good luck so far.

[Pelican]

There are compatibility issues between machine manufacturers. As I recall, Bobcat uses a fairly unique hydraulic oil that is not compatible with most other manufacturers. I think the same is with JCB, but I'm not certain.

Very few rental yards here will rent attachments, you must rent their machine with the attachment. They all cite oil contamination as the reason.

[Stonehenge]

Originally posted by Dirt Dogs
Fluid compatability does pose a problem in rental equipment as well as contamination. I spent about $250 on a hydro filter with a 12 inch whip hose on each end. When I rent from my dealer I hook up the filter inline on the return line and cycle the attachment a few times to make sure it is clean before removing it and hooking it to my machine. If I have to rent from another rental outfit I drain the attachment, hook up my filter, cycle the hydro then hook it up. I have had very good luck so far.

That's a pretty well thought-out solution.

[Paul]

The filter still dosen't allow for fluid compatibility problems, if there are such issues! Most skidsteers have bigger problems with moisture in the hyd reservoir, running them on warm moist days and cool nights allows for some mouisture to acumulate in the tank, changing filters and fluids at regular intervels removes most of this but in most machines 3 to 5 gallons still remain(no one purges lines, cylinders, and motors). We never had a problem with rental attachments.

[Bill Schwab]

I can't imagine how this could occur, but anything is possible...Say you have a hydraulic issue when the machine is under warranty. And, say the manufacturer, as most do, specifies that you run their brand of oil....Theoretically, your warrantee could get void...Just a thought to keep you from getting cheated.,