M444 Fluid change?

[DaveR]

I have an M444 (strong assumption on model here). I currently have it drained so that I can replace a few axle seals. I pulled out about 12 gal. of fluid. The fluid appears to be some unknown viscosity motor oil. Can anyone enlighten me on exactly what it should be? And if its different than what it already is, how would I go about flushing the system to replace it with the correct fluid? I can't wrap my head around what it would take to flush all the lines/pump/valves/cylindars/etc. Not to mention how I would clean out the chain cases!?!

 

[OldMachinist]

10w30 engine oil is what the service manual specifies for the M444 hydraulic system. As long as the old oil wasn't milky there's no need to flush.

 

[DaveR]

10w30 engine oil is what the service manual specifies for the M444 hydraulic system. As long as the old oil wasn't milky there's no need to flush.

Thanks OM! I'm guessing thats whats in there now since it doesn't have a red tinge, or the ATF smell. The Fluid I drained doesn't look very bad at all. With all the leaks I'm fixing I'm guessing it cant be that old. I may just try to find a way to filter it and reuse what I pulled out. I caught it in 3 clean 5 gal pails. Looks to be about 12 or 13 gal. worth. I need to get a new filter element, anyone have any parts cross ref numbers for it!? Or am I better off just getting one from bobcat?

 

[OldMachinist]

Thanks OM! I'm guessing thats whats in there now since it doesn't have a red tinge, or the ATF smell. The Fluid I drained doesn't look very bad at all. With all the leaks I'm fixing I'm guessing it cant be that old. I may just try to find a way to filter it and reuse what I pulled out. I caught it in 3 clean 5 gal pails. Looks to be about 12 or 13 gal. worth. I need to get a new filter element, anyone have any parts cross ref numbers for it!? Or am I better off just getting one from bobcat?

Does the filter you took off have a number on it? There were 3 different hydraulic filters for the M444 depending on serial number and engine installed.

 

[OldMachinist]

Does the filter you took off have a number on it? There were 3 different hydraulic filters for the M444 depending on serial number and engine installed.

A better question should been is a spin on filter or a replaceable element?
Bobcat part number for the element is 946865 which crosses to Baldwin PT207-HD, CARQUEST 85567, Wix 51567 or Napa 1567

 

[DaveR]

A better question should been is a spin on filter or a replaceable element?
Bobcat part number for the element is 946865 which crosses to Baldwin PT207-HD, CARQUEST 85567, Wix 51567 or Napa 1567

Spin on -- I wish! No it's definitely an element type filter. I haven't actually pulled the old one out yet, so I don't know if it has numbers on it. I should be able to find out this evening! I'll check back against the numbers you listed. Thanks!

 

[bwthor]

10w30 engine oil is what the service manual specifies for the M444 hydraulic system. As long as the old oil wasn't milky there's no need to flush.

I realize this is a three year old thread, but everything I've read and heard is to use ATF (Dextron) for the hydraulic fluid, and that is what it calls for on page 39 of the attached service manual I've got... https://www.dropbox.com/s/x55n6uud8w9y1tt/Bobcat%20Manual.zip?dl=0