Submerged 8N

We just had flash flood where a river rose about 14 feet in a matter of a few hours. We were unable to get the tractor out of the field in time and it ended up completely under dirty sandy river-water for about 8 hours. The water has now subsided and I know that some major work is ahead of me, but what should I do immediately?

It's been suggested that I drain all the fluids and run either soapy water or kerosene through it until sand quits coming out. Any thoughts on that? Anything else before I have it towed somewhere in about a week? Thanks.

I sprayed every electrical connection with WD-40 and actually removed a few of the connections and sanded them down a bit with sandpaper to make sure they were clean. I replaced the battery (it was filled with river water) and cleaned up all the connections. I also overfilled all the grease zirks to force out any sand and water.

I also drained and refilled the gas tank and radiator just to be sure I had clean fluids in both places. I added a bottle of Heat in the gas just in case there was a bit of water left in the tank. I obviously emptied the sediment bowl assembly

I replaced the oil filter and refilled the oil and hydraulic fluid. I put the key in and she fired right up and I drove it straight back out to the field. I bought additional oil and oil filters and plan on replacing them after a couple days and then again before winter. The project took about 8 hours and $100 in parts. I also had a crafty neighbor who helped me with the carburetor and distributor. The tractor had been completely submerged under river water for about 2 days.

Today I'm going to pull the rough cut mower out of the river and see if I can cut the grass....

I'de drain all fluids.. and nthen pull the spark plugs and turn the engine over by hand to see if water is setting on the pistons. If so, I'd add kero to the cylinders, and then use a sprayer and try to flush the crankcase from the drain hole.
Then add MMO to the cyls to prevent ring freeze up.

If you get any sand coming out of the cyls with the water.. you need to stop.. cause you know what you gotta do next... ( pull head.. drop pan.. etc.. probably drop hydro pump and pull trany top cover... pull pto shaft.. etc.. hopefully won't have to pull axle trumpet. but judge for yourself the level of contamination.. hopefully it was just WATER..

Same for the other major cavitios.

Sand will pretty much depend on how well your dipstick fit.. whether your crankcase breather had decent filter media, and if your tranny boot was good.

Expect distribuitor to be waterlogged. If a front mount I'd pull it and wd-40 it.. I'd also wd40 a side mount as well.

Judge the fluids coming out of each sump. if you do find sand.. you know you will be having to tear it down to clean..

Good luck

Soundguy