Frt Snow Blower Hydraulic Fluid too cold

[Balerguy2]

I'm about 95% completed on my Front Loader Mount Snow Blower and Rear Hydraulic Tank PTO driven ... project. The ambient temperatures I've operated in since early December is about 20*F. So far with a reduced amount of UTF oil (15 gals) even after an hour of snow blowing at approximately 500 rpm on the PTO I can barely feel any warmth on the UTF oil. It is a simple pto pump and 3/4" pressure and return lines to and from the Hydraulic Motor. I also have a 3/8" line for Hyd. Motor Case Drain. The actual "work load" is not much since we have had light fluffy snow and out of 7 snow events only once heavy warm snow of any consequence (half foot) this snow season.

I'm thinking adding an "adhesive applied" A.C. preheater to the Hyd. tanks flat bottom but you need warm temperatures to make a good job of that.

I'm guessing the warmest it has gotten (Hydro- oil) is................. maybe 60 or 70*F.

I'm reluctant to reduce the quantity of oil any further.

Even running at 500 rpm this setup will really send the snow flying............... it works real well.

Does anybody have either a similar DIY project like this? Or, do you have a similar OEM mfg's model that also runs cold?

 

[grsthegreat]

i too have a hydraulic snowblower and run it with 25 gal in the tank. Actually, ive never heard any issue with the fluid being too cold. the company i purchased mine from actually sells a cooler unit that mounts on the rear tank.

I have a Wolverine glue on tank heater on mine. ots 250 watts and i run it for 2 hours prior to using my machine. Its on a timer and i plug it in if there calling for snow.

Wolverine Heaters - The Most Trusted Engine Oil Heater For Cold-Weather Starts

ill tell you what, in 2 hours the tank is warm all over. even at -20F.


I also have 2 of the units attached to the oil tank on the tractor as i couldnt get a lower radiator heater to fit due to cab heater plumbing and Kioti said the warranty would be voided if i put in a block freeze plug heater. I have started the tractor at -20 - -25F in the past...absolutely no issues. Started right up and cab heater starts to warm up pretty fast



the manual for the hydraulic powerpack states there is a maximum allowable temperature to avoid (180F). but it doesnt state a minimum temp. as to the oil requirements

cold (-20F - +40F they recommend ISO 22 (5w) or less. this is what i use.

They also state that automatic transmission fluid (Dextron III or equiv) should be used if you intend to cold start the system in temps below 10F. HOWEVER this ATF should only be used in cold weather cause it has insufficient lubricity at high temps (this is why i chose not to use it)


It further states in cold weather to always preheat the tank with magnetic tank heater or equivalent to prevent pump cavitation. Run the pto at low speed for 15 minutes at low speed before placing under load. Can reduce this if the oil is preheated.


It further states that you can use higher viscosity oil (ISO 32) if the tractor is stored in heated shop

 

[Balerguy2]

grsthegreat'

Thanks for the quick return! Your Kioti with the snow equipment looks positively "SAVAGE"!!! It looks like a modern day orange "Tyrannosaurus Rex"!

The tip on the "Wolverine" sounds very good. Great to hear the time/temp info. I use Farm & Fleet Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid and meeting JD 40C specs. Fleet doesn't publish any specs on this fluid other than meets JD 40c specs. It apparently is a multigrade but

viscosity seems quite heavy. I didn't get this operational until early December so need to wait until spring dismount to add the QDs. They would help in forcing some work/ heat operationally into this rig, I would think.

Is it ok to place the Wolverine on well cleaned original paint or do you need to strip paint.................... the paint on my hydro tank looks like it is welded on.

 

[grsthegreat]

grsthegreat'

Thanks for the quick return! Your Kioti with the snow equipment looks positively "SAVAGE"!!! It looks like a modern day orange "Tyrannosaurus Rex"!

The tip on the "Wolverine" sounds very good. Great to hear the time/temp info. I use Farm & Fleet Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid and meeting JD 40C specs. Fleet doesn't publish any specs on this fluid other than meets JD 40c specs. It apparently is a multigrade but

viscosity seems quite heavy. I didn't get this operational until early December so need to wait until spring dismount to add the QDs. They would help in forcing some work/ heat operationally into this rig, I would think.

Is it ok to place the Wolverine on well cleaned original paint or do you need to strip paint.................... the paint on my hydro tank looks like it is welded on.

just to be sure i went ahead and placed the heater on face of tank and scribed arround it. then i placed a sanding disk on my hand grinder and removed the powder coat on my tank. those wolverene pads come with adhesive and edge sealer. man they stick on forever.





you did a nice job building yours. i wish i had the time or knowledge to have built my own.

 

[ishiboo]

Are you having issues with it? Have you tried a flow restrictor to heat the oil? I am guessing everything is too free-flowing.

Also, if you have a source of heat like the tractor's hydro tank or coolant, you could use a heat exchanger and pump. (Obviously on the NON-pressure side!)

 

[Balerguy2]

grsthegreat,

Thanks for the "actual numbers" on the oem "recommends" for your system. Those are the 1st sets of specs on this type snow blowing that I've seen. Since beginning to operate mine in December I've been adhering to a warmup of 15 minutes of turning the pump/motor at about 300 pto rpm. I've simply stayed away from using it below 15*F until I get the tank's exterior covered in "thinsulate" insulation or similar.

Ishiboo,

When I add the 3/4" QD's that will add some pressure with those restrictions added .... which should help raising some heat. This puppy is so efficient that so little work is being done that virtually no heat is being generated. It will really blow snow! But, adding any internal flow restriction(s) will be a double edge sword though!

 

[wdchyd]

Don't know if this will help, but I've seen equipment with warm-up circuits

They add a manual selector valve and connect a direct-acting relief valve dead headed and return exhaust oil to tank......this allows the operator to engaged the selector valve to let the oil warmup using the relief valve while the tractor engine is warming up at idle

 

[oldnslo]

Balerguy,
Are you having any trouble with the blower not operating correctly? If no I personally wouldn't worry to much about the oil temp only being 60 or 70 degrees. Like grtsthegreat stated, ATF gets thin and looses lubricity at higher temperatures. ATF also attracts and absorbs moisture so the greater the heat variables the more likely to induce condensation into the reservoir.

 

[the old grind]

With or without a heater, could you also do something simple to insulate the tank from heat loss? I'm picturing a water heater blanket, perhaps snipping-up one as a basis to try out the idea? Heater mounted on the 'easy' side & bungee cord a few slabs of poly-iso onto the others?

My old Ford had a mis-adjusted feedback linkage on the 3PH control for a while. I compensated by lowering the lever 'til I heard the pump load ease. To plow this afternoon I'd have considered crankin' that lever all the way up during warmup. Pump on the new tractor really groans for a while in sub 20^ weather.

 

[Balerguy2]

wdchyd
oldnslo
the old grind

Thanks guys for the excellent pointers! We didn't get much snow last night but the 10-35 gusts out of the west has built up some drifts for this SNOW EATER to work on. It does a great job (no wonder I've kept that blower for 35 years!

I covered just part of the 25 gal. tank with what ever was available.................... a worn out Cabela's camo jacket.................. in 45 minutes I could feel some real heat for the first time in 8 snow events. Running about 14 gallons of

Farm & Fleet UTF (supposely meets or exceeds JD J20c specs) seems to be ok. I believe this is the simple direction to go and should do the job.