leaks

[ddbackhoe]

Yesterday, while doing some cleanup, I noticed a trail of hydraulic fluid. Probably a hose running along the belly pan. Is there an easy way to figure out where/what is leaking? Of course, there's only about 12 hoses in that area and there's nothing obvious looking from the top.

 

[lesgawlik]

UV dye and a little UV light will run you about $30 for a supply that will last you years. They are readily available on auction sites, the 'Zon or automotive stores. Just make sure you get a dye that is compatible with hydraulic fluid. The expensive part used to be the UV light, but now there are UV LEDs which reduce the cost of the light to as little as a few dollars if you want to go on the cheap side. I just bought this http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_qz_back?sf=qz&rh=i%3Asporting%2Ck%3AKMASHI+12+LED+UV+Light+Pets+Urine+and+Stains+Detector+Ultraviolet+Flashlight+Blacklight+Pet+Dog+and+Cat+Urine+Stain+Finder+Detects+Human+Fluids\c+Counterfeit+Money\c+Bed+Bugs+Scorpions&keywords=KMASHI+12+LED+UV+Light+Pets+Urine+and+Stains+Detector+Ultraviolet+Flashlight+Blacklight+Pet+Dog+and+Cat+Urine+Stain+Finder+Detects+Human+Fluids%2C+Counterfeit+Money%2C+Bed+Bugs+Scorpions&ie=UTF8&qid=1459883645 and http://smile.amazon.com/Spectronics-Tracer-TP34000008-Dye-Lite-Spectrum/dp/B000NPGXJO/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1459883736&sr=1-2&keywords=dye+lite just to have on hand.

 

[mmsllc]

UV dye and a little UV light will run you about $30 for a supply that will last you years. They are readily available on auction sites, the 'Zon or automotive stores. Just make sure you get a dye that is compatible with hydraulic fluid. The expensive part used to be the UV light, but now there are UV LEDs which reduce the cost of the light to as little as a few dollars if you want to go on the cheap side. I just bought this http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_qz_back?sf=qz&rh=i%3Asporting%2Ck%3AKMASHI+12+LED+UV+Light+Pets+Urine+and+Stains+Detector+Ultraviolet+Flashlight+Blacklight+Pet+Dog+and+Cat+Urine+Stain+Finder+Detects+Human+Fluids\c+Counterfeit+Money\c+Bed+Bugs+Scorpions&keywords=KMASHI+12+LED+UV+Light+Pets+Urine+and+Stains+Detector+Ultraviolet+Flashlight+Blacklight+Pet+Dog+and+Cat+Urine+Stain+Finder+Detects+Human+Fluids%2C+Counterfeit+Money%2C+Bed+Bugs+Scorpions&ie=UTF8&qid=1459883645 and http://smile.amazon.com/Spectronics-Tracer-TP34000008-Dye-Lite-Spectrum/dp/B000NPGXJO/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1459883736&sr=1-2&keywords=dye+lite just to have on hand.

I usually remove all of the inspection covers, lift the seat canopy & open the engine cover. Then, pressure wash the mess out of the machine until the water that drains out is clear. By doing that, you it far easier to locate any leak(s) that you have. Operate the machine as normal & check to see if you can see any areas that are wet with hydraulic (or other) oil.

 

[7LBSSMALLIE]

I usually remove all of the inspection covers, lift the seat canopy & open the engine cover. Then, pressure wash the mess out of the machine until the water that drains out is clear. By doing that, you it far easier to locate any leak(s) that you have. Operate the machine as normal & check to see if you can see any areas that are wet with hydraulic (or other) oil.

if its bobcat oil the newer stuff does have dye in it. the ultraviolet works always look prior to cleaning. not always an option. but a quick look never hurts. than clean the snot out of it. let it dry place clean cardboard under suspect places( it has to be said) a cauntiorynote as in lookining for hyd leaks. fluid under pressure will enter skin and cause a world of hurt and surgey to remove. DONT USE YORE HANDS> stuipid head.. really this cant be talked about enough. saftey first machine later. we can fix machines cant fix you. ENOUGH SAID ON THAT.