Lester Ware
New member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2010
- Messages
- 4
- Tractor
- John Deere 5500
I purchased a 5500 John Deere, ag, diesel tractor (1997) a few months ago. The tractor very well could have been sitting outside for sometime. I have used it around the farm moving around bales using the front end loader and the three point hitch on the back. Both of these being hydraulic, I was very pleased at the quietness and power obtained at even idle rpms. I just knew the hyd. in this tractor was solid as a rock. Overall everything just worked flawlessly.
When I purchased the tractor, the hyd. fluid was perfectly clean and had perfect clarity to the eye. No foam and no clouding. I still cleaned and replaced the hyd. filter. The hyd fluid is still today in this same visual condition. I'm saying this with the thought of water possibly being present in the system.
Problem: Now that the weather has reached 20 deg. F, the tractor starts just like a diesel does in low temps.. Because the steering is hydraulic let me say that the steering works at the tractors cold start. It's a little jerky but but soon smooths out. Also to note that this tractor has two hydraulic pumps. The hydraulic configuration, I'm unsure of.
The joy stick which operates the end loader does nothing. No movement no sound, nothing. Likewise the three point hitch makes no movement or sound. When the tractor water temp. gauge moves into the operating area of the gauge, the hydraulics start to move the loader and three point hitch. The three point hitch is the first to start some movement. This movement is very slow and jumpy. As the hyd. are exercised and warmed, the loader and hitch smooth out. Once the hyd. system is warm, it works great. I understand that it's normal for the rough movement while the fluid is still cold but my concern is "no movement".
I live in Kentucky and our dealer offer two viscosity hydraulic/transmission fluids, but I have never had the need to change to the thinner in the winter. I have farmed for over fifty years and I'm continually amazed at how little I know.
Please respond with any questions.
:thumbsup:
When I purchased the tractor, the hyd. fluid was perfectly clean and had perfect clarity to the eye. No foam and no clouding. I still cleaned and replaced the hyd. filter. The hyd fluid is still today in this same visual condition. I'm saying this with the thought of water possibly being present in the system.
Problem: Now that the weather has reached 20 deg. F, the tractor starts just like a diesel does in low temps.. Because the steering is hydraulic let me say that the steering works at the tractors cold start. It's a little jerky but but soon smooths out. Also to note that this tractor has two hydraulic pumps. The hydraulic configuration, I'm unsure of.
The joy stick which operates the end loader does nothing. No movement no sound, nothing. Likewise the three point hitch makes no movement or sound. When the tractor water temp. gauge moves into the operating area of the gauge, the hydraulics start to move the loader and three point hitch. The three point hitch is the first to start some movement. This movement is very slow and jumpy. As the hyd. are exercised and warmed, the loader and hitch smooth out. Once the hyd. system is warm, it works great. I understand that it's normal for the rough movement while the fluid is still cold but my concern is "no movement".
I live in Kentucky and our dealer offer two viscosity hydraulic/transmission fluids, but I have never had the need to change to the thinner in the winter. I have farmed for over fifty years and I'm continually amazed at how little I know.
Please respond with any questions.
:thumbsup:
Last edited:
