I drained out the aw32 fluid on my splitter with 20 hours on it for aw68 for the summer. I plan on reusing the aw32 come cold weather again. When I drained it; it looked like a metallic sheen to it. I have not changed the hydraulic filter yet since the manual says 25 hours. Got a new one ordered, a wix 10 micron filter. Anyone do a swap so early in the fluids life and notice the same thing? I am guessing it's normal since the manual says 100 hour change and the filter is 25 micron and they warranty for longer than 100 hours. But it's a guess..
I didn't notice any metal itself in the bottom of the drain pan. The fluid just had a look to it. I plan on using a coffee filter when I go to reuse it. Depending on what the filter looks like I'll decide to dump it or go with it.
Was it ran right before you drained it? Oil can have air entrained into it during operation and if you drain it before it had time to sit and settle out, it can have a weird look to it. If not that, than I'd be real hesitant to re-use it...RKO sells 5 gallons of hyd oil for ~$25
not ran at all, I pulled it around the house to the drive for solid ground. while I'm cheap like in wanting to reuse low hour fluid, I like to know what I'm putting back in it. Know who makes RKO oil? I just bought some napa aw68 which is rebadged valvoline. I guess I could google it..
Maybe strain the old fluid through a paper filter and see what is left behind? Ever thought about running ATF for the winter?
this is the reason you CHANGE the oil not reuse the oil, contamination. make sure the 10 micron will flow the needed amount of oil, it may not be better for the system.
The county line splitter recommends aw 32 or type 46 fluid to prevent damage to the system. Or dextron2 tranny fluid.
I think it depends...I've seen different brands there...maybe they buy from whoever they can get a deal from? IDK... IIRC, I think what I bought last time was "Cam2"
A 10 micron filter on the suction side will probably introduce cavitation in the pump. You may or may not notice it but it will cause wear to the pump. 25 is the standard for simple high clearance systems.
Understand and I'm sure they would void the warranty after a oil analysis and found it was shocked from overheating. ISO 46W +25° to +70°F (-4° to 21°C) ISO 68W +48° to +90°F (9° to 32°C) I plan on using mine above 70F this summer.
I've split with mine with the 46W anywhere from 20* to about 80* with no issues. Maybe call the 800# and see what they recommend for splitting in warmer temps so you don't void the warranty .I
Most splitters come with AW32 ,and run fine ,regardless of outside temps for years. Having said that , I run AW46 in mine because it was on sale ,and I needed 20 gallons . If you want to get a definite answer , go over to Bob’s the oil Guy . The have a section that deals specifically with hydraulic fluids . I believe that you may find that AW68 is a bit of overkill for your application . But ,again ,I may be wrong . So, check with bitog and let us all know what your findings are .
Unless it looks milky I'd filter and reuse it. You can get 1 micron sock filters on eBay for $5. I have a 5 gallon bucket setup with a bulkhead and spout drilled into bottom with a sock filter setting in bucket. It filters right into 5 gal pail the oil was bought in. Also use this setup to filter into a drum for oil burner fuel. We go through about 1000 gallons of equipment/truck oil/year so savings is huge.
Also I'd check the recommendations on the pump. Some don't like thicker oil. My 28GPM is rated for AW32. I run AW32 year around, and that's also what my cooler was specced to run through it as well, when it was built. I wouldn't let your hydraulic oil get over 180. That's where a lot of the seals are rated to. Unless there is some serious design flaws in the hydraulic system, shouldn't get near that hot. I have built in design flaws in my system, to produce heat.....as I have a cooler and can cool the oil down, fairly quickly. I intentionally ran a valve that wasn't rated for the gpm of my pump, for my 4 way and log lift, but knowing I will use it during the summer months, it was designed and built with a cooler. I run 10 micro filter on the return, and it's rated for the gpm of the return. On the return stroke, I have a dump valve that bypasses cooler and the filter, as I'm pushing around 65 gpm for a few seconds. I'd put your AW32 back in and take the thicker stuff back. Just my $.02.
