Algae in hydraulic oil

[rob h]

Has anyone had problems with it in hydraulic oil.last year we bought a used spearhead hedge cutter it had been at the dealers 2years. it all worked perfectly.put it away in a shed then got it out yesterday and no hydraulics .so drained oil out today and it’s slimey so lifted the top off the tank and it’s left a slimy sludge .also bunged the oil strainer. I’ve never seen anything like it is it possible to get algae in oil and how do I stop it happening again.il be cleaning it out and filling with new oil and filter but it’s a lot of oil so don’t want it happening again.

 

[Kevtherev]

Water contamination

 

[rob h]

We did find a couple of loose fittings are the top of the tank.also when I drained it their was water coming out just before the oil.ive seen plenty of oil that's gone milky with water but never seen it turn cloudy with a slimy residue

 

[Tractortech]

Now Then..
Could it have had bio oil in it for environmental reasons by a previous owner??

 

[76masseyman]

Now Then..
Could it have had bio oil in it for environmental reasons by a previous owner??

My thoughts too.
If it is a biodegradable oil, either veg based or saturated synthetic Esther, and moisture has got in, then it’s doing what it should do.
Was the previous owner a drainage board ?

 

[rob h]

No idea who the previous owner was .we bought it from farm star it’s unlikely to be ex drainage board as its only a 5.6 m .someone has had the top off before as its had silicone sealer under the cork gasket. But I suppose on a old machine their could be many reasons why they’ve had the top off.so if this is a veg based oil is it just normal water contamination or do you think i have algae

 

[Tractortech]

Just bin the current fluid/gunge in an environmentally friendly way, clean the inside of the tank. Change the filter and fill it up with shiny new oil. Either replace any gaskets or silicone the joints so that it's watertight and it should be fine..

 

[deleted user 837354]

Just bin the current fluid/gunge in an environmentally friendly way, clean the inside of the tank. Change the filter and fill it up with shiny new oil. Either replace any gaskets or silicone the joints so that it's watertight and it should be fine..

How would someone clean or flush out a tank that had contained contaminated oil like this? What would you recommend?

 

[rob h]

How would someone clean or flush out a tank that had contained contaminated oil like this? What would you recommend?

The top of our tank unbolts so you can reach in to unscrew the suction filter so not too bad.tomorrows job will be cleaning it out . i think il also take a few pipes off to drain the rams. I recon it would take a lot of rinsing to get it all out if the top didn’t come off as it looks like jelly in th the bottom of the tank

 

[Tractortech]

How would someone clean or flush out a tank that had contained contaminated oil like this? What would you recommend?

Most tanks like this have a removable panel to access the suction screen. It won't be easy. Long arms may help, or a brush handle with an empty bean can on the end. Ingenuity and improvisation is what's needed. Some clean diesel and a paint brush too..

 

[Exfarmer]

All good hydraulic oils have absorbents in them to pick up the small amount of condensation which comes in through the breather and condenses overnight as the oil cools. A very good reason why you should always change the oil on a regular basis.
you will often find the hydraulics are slow first thing and this is due to this contamination

 

[rob h]

All good hydraulic oils have absorbents in them to pick up the small amount of condensation which comes in through the breather and condenses overnight as the oil cools. A very good reason why you should always change the oil on a regular basis.
you will often find the hydraulics are slow first thing and this is due to this contamination

Oil change was planned for this year.we didn't do it last year as it had some oil leaks so we thought run it a season to make shure everything works ok first.looks like the water has got in through some loose connectors on the top .2 years of being left out in the rain won't have done it any good and I did wash it off before putting it away

 

[Nearly]

Now Then..
Could it have had bio oil in it for environmental reasons by a previous owner??

My loadall has enviromentally friendly veg oil in. I get it from the local pub kitchens.

 

[rob h]

Well after many hours of undoing pipes and emptying hydraulic cylinders and a thorough clean out of the tank it's now working propperley.