Flushing hydraulics

[dummkopf]

I have a 2010 crawler/loader/backhoe that has water in the hydraulic tank (for the loader and backhoe). I don't want to just empty the tank and refill without flushing the system because there is still watery oil in the rest of the system. So... I am wondering if anyone has any good tricks to flush the system out before I refill with new oil.

Thanks!

[Tigerhaze]

I believe the procedure in the operator and service manual is to put the loader bucket in the fully retracted and curled position and allow it to hang below the crawler. Then you open the drain plug and run the engine (and thus the Cessna pump driving the hydraulics) until you have fully pumped out the oil. Once you start hearing cavitation (pump running dry) you shut it down, replace plug, and refill. After you refill, you will need to bleed system by fully raising and lowering bucket several times.

I was unable on my loader to open the drain plug on the reservoir- the pipe plug I found would not break loose and am not sure it is the right plug. Thus I disconnected the short hose between the reservoir outlet and hard line- it was a little messy but allowed me to fully drain.

[JD440ICD2006]

I need to do the same to one of my 440 crawler hydraulic systems. I read something about it in the service manual.

It says to "Remove magnetic drain plug from the bottom of the oil reservoir and drain system. Pour 5 quarts of good solvent, distillate, or kerosene into reservoir and start engine. Allow engine to operate about 3 minutes."

"DO NOT OPERATE CONTROL LEVERS AS THIS WILL CIRCULATE FLUSHING SOLUTION INTO LINES AND CYLINDERS WHERE IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO WORK OUT."

Has anyone done this? If so, what did you use as flushing solution?