Help: what kind of corrosion/chemical is this???

Folks, I'm the new owner of a 3200hr 2014 GEHL V400 from PA. It has some exterior corrosion issues that seemed "normal" for the northeast, but after I got it home and really got into the engine bay, it's clear that this thing was used to push around some kind of chemical. There appears to be dirt and white, round little balls in the bottom of the tub. Is that fertilizer? De-icing? I dunno.

But, this is what the resulting corrosion looks like. All my hydraulic lines and fittings are corroded. In a lot of cases, it's just the top, almost like gravity let whatever this stuff is settle on top and start eating away. The stuff comes off, even by wiping it. But, this is a really tight place to work so I'm wondering if people know of any kind of neutralizer that would clean this stuff off? Or, has anyone ever heard of carefully sandblasting the inside of a skid steer?

The machine itself is solid, everything works except maybe the AC. The cab is almost mint, so I think it was either replaced or repainted.

I'm a total noob to restoring heavy equipment, so forgive any questions that seem dumb. Thanks in advanced for any guidance or tips!

Here is the machine itself.

If it comes off just by wiping it - Road salt..?
If it does come off easy could it be pressure-washed off as a starting point..?

what was the machine used for by the last owner? many things are corrosive and its best to find out what caused it so you dont use something to clean or neutralize the rust that could cause a chemical reaction and give off a poison gas..just as precaution....the safest way to neutralize acid is baking soda mixed in water ...

I've seen similar effects on steel from Cattle/Dairy chicken and pig farms. it could be caused by the ammonia from the urine while cleaning corals pens or the machine was stored in the barns.
Also as Nige mentioned it could from salt air or from an agricultural chemical supplier.

A few years back we looked at buying a used Scissor Lift that was rented to one of the Potash mine contractors for less than a year and the inside of the base looked similar to your pictures.

A good cleaning with some de-greaser and hot water wouldn't hurt.
As for neutralizing the effects you need to know exactly what your dealing with.

Nige said:

If it comes off just by wiping it - Road salt..?
If it does come off easy could it be pressure-washed off as a starting point..?

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I think that's a good place to start... My best guess is these white balls gave off a powder when shoveling, dumping, etc. and that aerosolized stuff settled on the interior components and all the bolt heads on the outside. I'll start with a pressure wash and see if that takes anything off.

I was going to try a rust-removing jelly on that stuff. I'll try it on one fitting/line and see how the chemistry takes shape...

clutzer said:

I was going to try a rust-removing jelly on that stuff. I'll try it on one fitting/line and see how the chemistry takes shape...

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Why not try pressure washing it first, then maybe the rust-removing jelly will have a lot less material to work on neutralizing.

Nige said:

Why not try pressure washing it first, then maybe the rust-removing jelly will have a lot less material to work on neutralizing.

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Agree--I'll figure something out. I would have to load it up onto my flatbed, haul it to a car wash, etc. etc.

clutzer said:

Agree--I'll figure something out. I would have to load it up onto my flatbed, haul it to a car wash, etc. etc.

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Rent a small pressure washer..?

By appearance it seems something has set off galvanic corrosion, that based on Steel fittings into aluminum blocks and those blocks are shiny. Get that rust off washing, maybe even spray vinegar on it LIGHTLY prior to water/soap wash down.

I agree water and soap is your friend here!!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. If I can get the bottom access plate off, I'll do a soapy cleanse of the tub. I think there is going to be some pretty depressing rot at the bottom of this thing, even though it looks really good from the underside. Crossing fingers.

This may be a case of "I have a hammer, so that must be a nail", but, that sure looks like it probably worked in fertilizer. The "little white balls" sound like it, too.

If so, wash it with soap and then flush it with plenty of water. Then, ospho and paint. If that's what it is, you'll never stop the rust unless you completely disassemble it, but you can slow it down.

Its definitely fertilizer. I've seen it many times n have dealt with it more than once. It's a nightmare

mitch504 said:

This may be a case of "I have a hammer, so that must be a nail", but, that sure looks like it probably worked in fertilizer. The "little white balls" sound like it, too.

If so, wash it with soap and then flush it with plenty of water. Then, ospho and paint. If that's what it is, you'll never stop the rust unless you completely disassemble it, but you can slow it down.

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Disassembling a machine of this size would be quite an undertaking. The hydrostatic drive is the size of a volkswagon beetle. The drive motors are like medicine balls. But I agree, I need to get into the belly pan of this thing and shut down the corrosion.

UPDATE: I used Rustoleum Rust Remover Gel Spray on a small piece of easily replaceable metal (little hydraulic line retainer plate) and it cleaned it up perfectly. SMELLED AWFUL. But it seemed to remove whatever was on there and/or turn it black. So, I think I will:

1. Pressure wash the interior over a number of days with soap & water. I assume trying to remove or protecting wire harnesses, plugs, anything electrical is obvious.

2. Apply Rust Remover gel/jelly and let that do it's thing for 24 hours.

3. Pressure wash with soap and water again.

4. Assess the damage. I'm not 100% sure if it ate a hole through the bottom of the tub. It may have in 3-4 places. If so, then I guess I've signed up for a complete rebuild. Sigh.

I only have a 2000lb bridge crane in my garage and I believe the Cummins QSB4.5 says it's 846lbs. I have no idea what this monstrous hydrostatic drive weighs, but does anyone know if you can pull that all out in one piece? I assume you'd properly support the engine and the hydro, but can the bolts holding the two together support it?

Whaddaya mean “quite an undertaking”..? It’s only a skid steer for crying out loud, not a D10.

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.co...s-started-case-1845c.82207/page-2#post-886020

Get it cleaner and DRY, most ag stores around here sell a Rust Converter Primer, I use mine for treating ground engagement tools to keep rust under control. Wherever is rusty will turn black and then can over paint with a good rust inhibitor as Rust Oleum. Is generally a brush on application but can be applied like a firehose with a airless sprayer.

Nige said:

Whaddaya mean “quite an undertaking”..? It’s only a skid steer for crying out loud, not a D10.

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.co...s-started-case-1845c.82207/page-2#post-886020

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Ha ha true. But this thing weighs over 10,000 pounds. I've been staring at the lift arms for a few days, I can't imagine how heavy those are, and how to get them off. I'm setting up a 2000lb bridge crane in my garage but I'm not positive those lift arms don't exceed even that.