Combines R62 Hydro Traction Dramas

Heat kills. It rapidly deteriorates the quality of the oil and can harm internal components of the hydro. It may be that the ground drive relief pressure was set a bit low, and if the combine was operated in quite hilly terrain, expect shorter life compared to if it was lucky enough to run on the flat. Also make sure to use the AGCO 821 Power Fluid in this system, not ATF. As for life, I think I'd get pretty tired if I had to move a 30,000 pound combine and header around in 100 degree F heat. Sorry to hear about the bad luck though.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. My friend always ran his N5 with the gear tranny in one of the road gears. He stopped doing that when his overheated hydro died. Good luck. Tom in MN USA

I have to agree with Tom. Being a farmer and mechanic, always run the transmission in the lowest gear with the Hyrdo as close to wide open as possible. The oil flow then cools the Hydro better and will last years longer. Too many operators want to go from work to road without changing gears and this kills the Hydro. Many IH tractors(hydros) were killed for the same reason. Drop a plow in too high of gear and run the hydro slow and they burn up fast. Hydraulic motors need oil for power and cooling, so more flow, the better of both.

Thanks for the explanation.

G'Day Kev

G'day Rolf, Thanks for the feedback, and I think you are on the right track with the oil quality.It turns out that my Hydro has dropped a front bearing in the motor and has put metal contamination right through the pump_hydro system (as well as possible contamination right back to the oil cooler and tank!! so this means flushing all the lines, I'm really looking forward to doing that!!!) It turns out that they now recommend a 68 grade oil and not Dextron II_III as it says in the manual, I have only just been made aware of this, so I would recommend you upgrade now if you have not already done so.

G'Day Kev

Rolf,, Are you running a 30 ft. headIJ I calculate 22 ac_hr with a 30 ft , 1000 bu. _hr -not bad. I'm wondering if I should change the oil in my R60 to HIV 68IJ later......cam

G'Day camshaft