Hydraulic Pump Dead?

[IH3444]

Kinda the same thing happen with the old International backhoe. Was extremely cold for several weeks, then warmed up to the low 30's. Neighbor need a small hole dug, so off I went with the hoe. After just a few scoops the hoe stopped working. I was abit alarmed, neighbor helped me get the hoe back up by lifting with the FEL bucket of his JD tractor. I drove back to the barn, thinking it was water in the sump also. Drained, no water. Installed drain plug, filled back up with hydraulic fluid. Began inspecting rear hoe controls. NADA. Let hoe sit till spring. Much warmer temps, hoe worked fine. Only thing I can deduce is very cold hydraulic oil had "poped off" the safety relief valve, and valve stayed poped off due to excessive pressure caused by very cold fluid. Everything went back to normal after temps warmed into the 40's overnight for several weeks. Lesson....DON'T PANIC.

 

[Scotty370]

Just wondering......Could a guy put a magnetic(?) block heater on the resevoir tank? Sorta like a oilpan heater? ~Scotty

 

[Soundguy]

I know guys that use a magnetic heater block onthe oil pan, and hyd sumps, plus a trickle charger on the bat, plus a coolant heater.. all setup on timers to come on about an hour or two before he needs the tractor in the morning. ever lil'bit helps..

soundguy

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I have had my hydraulics freeze because of moisture and it was only in the mid 20,s. Ice crystals form in the oil and plug the filter. I dont think people in warmer climates have a lot of experience with this.
Bill

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like the worst case scenario is the broken hydro pump, but more likely it is some type of issue with icing. I'm glad I posted because I would have just started pulling parts off to look for broken stuff.

I guess the next step is to somehow get it into the garage and point the 350,000 BTU torpedo heater at it for a while.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

It stayed above freezing for most of the day today. I started the tractor when I got home from work, and everything works just fine now.

Is there anything I can do to keep this from happening again?

 

[Soundguy]

add some transtune seafoam to the hydro oil, circulate, drain, flush with a couple gallons oil and diesel mixed, drain, then refill with good, new, clean oil. ( and do it on a regular service schedule.. IE.. preventative maintenance.. )

soundguy

 

[Thumper & Buttercup]

Glad it all started working for you.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

add some transtune seafoam to the hydro oil, circulate, drain, flush with a couple gallons oil and diesel mixed, drain, then refill with good, new, clean oil. ( and do it on a regular service schedule.. IE.. preventative maintenance.. )

soundguy

You make it sound so easy

I am probably due for a hydro fluid change, but I'm by no means behind schedule. I haven't flushed it. It sounds like a lot of cost for the extra oil/diesel, etc. but I suppose it beats buying new hydro pump.

 

[Soundguy]

Cost? what's cheaper.. a pail of oil..or the pump plus downtime.

My big fords hold somthing like 13g of hydro oil.. and it usually comes out darn good looking.. but it's cheape rthan a 1000$ pump, plus flusing all the lines and cleaning all the valves AND then changing the oil and filter.

soundugy