REFLECTOR: Hydraulic Fluid

[Al Gietzen]

Chuck;

 

There are significant differences (primarily in the additives); the most
notable is the change is viscosity with temperature. At very low temps; like
-20F, ATF becomes quite viscous while the 5606 does not.  This is important
for aircraft flying at the flight levels, or in cold climates.  If you do
neither, ATF will work fine.

 

When I first filled my system, I put in ATF - which is what the pumps we use
are designed for.  Later I thought at some point I may be flying high and
into colder climes; and changed it out for 5606.  I was surprised, and
disappointed, at how much noisier the pump was.

 

I was concerned about mixing of the two, so developed a method for changing
the fluid that gets most of the old out before putting in the new.  I wrote
up that procedure, and probably still have it somewhere, and could share it
with you it you like.  I don't know that mixing is an issue, but I would
hesitate to do it.

 

Al

 

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Chuck Jensen
Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 4:39 PM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Hydraulic Fluid

 

Okay, I need to add hydraulic fluid and the FBO is shut tight for the
weekend...no 5606 available.  It was speculated that the automatic
transmission fluid (ATF) is just a rebranded/repackaged 5606.  Has people
used ATF in their gear retract system?


Chuck Jensen 

 

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