3pt problems when cold
- Thread starter DaveUK
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YannyMan
Silver Member
Water in the hydraulic system freezing?
dex3361
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Probably water in the hydraulic fluid. What happens is the water freezes and plugs up the hydraulic filter. I would do a crackle test and go from there. Crackle test is easy and it is a zero cost if you have some sort of hot plate. CRACKLE TEST. If it is not possible to change the fluid for a while and you still need the tractor then try to preheat the tractor in a garage or use a blower type heater.
Well now, I have never heard of the crackle test. Very interesting. :thumbsup:
MJPetersen
Veteran Member
It does not have to have water in the system to do that but it is a contributing factor. Cold oil is thick oil, therefore the viscosity of the trans/hyd oil is more critical as well as the cleanliness of the filter screen. It was because of poor cold weather performance that I switched to Dextron ATF. The hyd systen has become much more responsive in the winter and I do not get pump squeal (That can actually do some real damage to the pump--oil starvation). If you do not want to switch to the ATF still make sure you have the proper grade of oil in the trans and the filter screen is clean.
Mike
Mike
dex3361
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Tis true.
smstonypoint
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normde2001
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Normally caused by storing your tractor outdoors. A bad shift lever dust boot makes it worse.
Marveltone
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This is a good subject for me to pay attention to as my hydraulic system is inoperable in very cold weather until the tractor is warmed up for at least 20-30 min. I'm guessing that in my case, the fluid is a heavier grade which works well in the summer but not so much in the winter.
Could it also be possible for water to enter the hydraulic systen through condensation? Just thinking if the tractor is stored outside, the environmental extremes may make this a possibility. But I could be way off, as this is just a random guess. Probably not, if the transmission/steering/hydraulic system is full.
Perhaps some of the more scientific members of the forum could weigh in on this, as it seems to be a common enough problem for many to benefit.
Joe
Could it also be possible for water to enter the hydraulic systen through condensation? Just thinking if the tractor is stored outside, the environmental extremes may make this a possibility. But I could be way off, as this is just a random guess. Probably not, if the transmission/steering/hydraulic system is full.
Perhaps some of the more scientific members of the forum could weigh in on this, as it seems to be a common enough problem for many to benefit.
Joe
clemsonfor
Super Member
Or bad , or no O-ring on your filler cap, bad seals around things or just the old condensation in half filled chamber.