one of my tractors, an IH 686 mfd. in approx '77, has a recurring problem that none of my other ones has. water is contaminating the transmission-hydraulic fluid. i have to change the fluid in it about 2 times every year, it clogs the filter and slows down the entire system. I assume that the water is getting in there through condensation. i live in a very rainy and humid area, but none of the other tractors have ever given me this trouble. there are no openings where the water can get in through the transmission case. i drained the trans today, probably 1/2 gal of unmixed water came out first, the rest of the oil was H2O saturated. this has been happening ever since I bought the tractor(10 yrs ago). what should I do?
I’ve seen condensation cause problems, serious problems, but a half gallon? You’ve got to have other issues. Rainwater type contamination is my guess from an unlikely or unusual route.
There is a breather on your tractor which allows the fluid levels to rise and fall. If you use a loader or other heavy hydraulic equipment, the level in the reservoir will rise as the heat level increases.(but you already know this) Theoretically this breather will have a fine strainer which will cause the moisture to condense before it reaches the interior of the mechanisim/reservoir. Make sure this strainer is in place and in good condition.
Habit and circumstance will cause what you’re describing to happen most often. If you run the tractor and get it hot, then park it where it’s cool and damp, the cool air will get sucked in and condense.
You could put a dessicant filter on your breather/filler cap, or you could just make a point of parking it when/where it’s warm and allowing it to cool down sans moist air.
The reason your other tractors don’t do this may have to do with differences in fluid. also, check the seal around your shifter and any valves- they may also act as “breathers” allowing moist air in.
good luck! Remember, just changing fluid leaves lots of slimy oil/water smegma-like residue in the mechanisim. Some people mix a little Heet (isopropyl alcohol) with their oil and run it a bit before a drain/fill to mix the water in properly, so it all comes out at a change. This can be very bad for your seals, so check with your dealer before doing this.
Good luck!
b.