Farmall 656 diesel-water in the hydraulic fluid

AtomicFarmer · #1 02/07/13, 07:21 PM

Hi all. We have a Farmall 656 diesel that keeps getting water in the hydraulic fluid. We have no idea how it gets there. This time of year we really don't use the tractor much but it'd be nice to make it right before Spring. There are no obvious entry paths for water from the outside and the coolant level does not seem to drop in the radiator so we are absolutely stumped.

Anybody got any ideas?

simi-steading · #2 02/07/13, 07:22 PM

Condensation forming in the tank?

AtomicFarmer · #3 02/07/13, 07:30 PM

It's an awful lot of water, and it just started happening a year or so ago, so I'd say probably not condensation. We've had the tractor since it was new. It's a late 1960's vintage.

Travis in Louisiana · #4 02/07/13, 07:51 PM

Does it sit out in the rain? Maybe the fill plug needs some teflon tape on it. I haven't looked this tractor up yet, but does the hydraulic and transmission share the same oil? Still hinking here.

simi-steading · #5 02/07/13, 07:51 PM

Is it under a covered area? Do you have a bucket on the front? could water be sitting on the rams and leaking in through the seals?

If you aren't using the tractor enough to burn off condensation in the fluid a lot more can be adsorbed than you'd think...

Travis in Louisiana · #6 02/07/13, 07:53 PM

Is the hydraulic level coming up or is it staying the same? Maybe a hydaulic oil separation??

ace admirer · #7 02/07/13, 08:07 PM

not sure of your tractor, does it have rubber shifter boots, are they cracked. and as others have asked, does it sit out in rain, do you work it hard enough and long enough to evaporate normal inhaled humidity? every time a tractor gearbox cools, it inhales air and its humidity

tractor seat bolt holes, fill plugs, water in oil cans willl go unnoticed sometimes until its emulsified by the gears and turns gray or white.