6cylinders

I'm looking for red or green colored hydraulic fluid, colored for easier leak detection. Anyone know of a readily available colored oil?
Or dye that can be added? I have a Chevron and Texaco distributor,also John Deere,CAT, Ford tractor dealerships near by. I don't want to use ATF.
Thanks

Forrest Nearing

go to the autoparts store and get some UV dye that can be added... becomes VERY visible w/ a black light!

6cylinders

What does it look like without the black light?

JKM

Blue hydraulic oil is fairly common, I have seen green too, can't say I have seen red hydraulic , but if I did i would just assume it was ATF anyways.

alot of heavy equipment guys use it to help distinguish what system is leaking. Most any oil supplier should be able to get you the blue hydraulic oil , just tell them that's what you want.

bigfoot

Lubrication Engineers, sells exactly what you are looking for. They are in Ft. Worth TX. Its good quality and they will ship staight to your door.

Forrest Nearing

it adds a bright flourescent green tint to the oil, but w/ a black light (you can cheapies at the auto parts store too) it's VERY evident. with a cheap light, you'll be able to see better in the dark using the black light.

I tracked down a leaking AC system that was driving me nuts w/ this method. later I tracked down a leaking hydraboost unit w/ it. I love the stuff

ckt_santiago

If you can find it anywhere... Cenex brand oil called Quik Lift... It's green and smells minty :P Cheap too, the farmers around here love it (even though it destroys the brakes in their JD's)

erics76

Our CAT skidloader came with red dye in the hydraulic fluid so it's easier to see in the sightglass. I don't know if the dealerships stock the dye or not.

tool

Case IH brand
"Hytran" I think it's called comes dark red, darker than ATF maybe but close to that colour.

Mule Skinner

We use the red dye in most of our equipment -- caution -- check with manufacturer of equipment it could give them the opportunity to void warranty if any problems arise

6cylinders

I called Cenex they had Qwik Lift HTB, which is green, $51 for 5 gal.
Then I called the Chevron distributor, he didn't have anything with a color
and knew nothing about dye, he advised against using QwikLift, he said it was more of a transmission type hydraulic fluid, my system is a tank,pump,motors and 2 cylinders, no transmission ivolved, he said I'd be better off with AW32 type oil. Which I usually use, bit it is clear.
Called the Texaco distributor and he said to dye AW32 and he could get the red dye in a day or two no problem, he ususally stocked it but was out.
I'm going that route. AW32 is cheaper around $37 for 5 gal. Thanks to everybody for their input.

00Dog

In airplanes all of the hydraulic fluid I've seen is red. It is called 5606.