Leaving Implements Raised - Bad For Hydraulic System?

[oosik]

I have never seen/heard of any studies done on this. Common sense would say - lower the implements when you shut off the tractor for safety sake.

 

[Thomas]

AS others said..less chance of tractor rolling if left in neutral.

 

[BeezFun]

The question is if anyone from the TBN Brain Trust is aware - conclusively (not conjecture) - whether shutting off a tractor while the hydraulics are loaded is verified to be any more adverse for hydraulic system components, compared to what they receive during standard duty cycles with the tractor operating.

Based on the criterion that are included in the ISO standards for hydraulic hoses and other components, I would conclude things would last longer if you left them pressurized than if you cycle them. The standards include a requirement for total number of life cycles but there is no value for continuous pressurization. So it's probably like the cylinder head bolts on an engine, it's the cycling damage that wears them out, not the static pressure.

 

[rademamj1]

There is no hydraulic damage to the tractor, leaving either loader or 3pt implement in a raised position. Over night the slow hydraulic fluid bleed off from the cylinders, will simply return that fluid to main hydraulic chamber. I will say, always best to lower for safety reasons. Even with engine turned off, you can quickly lower both the Loader or 3pt just by touching the controls.

Leaving an implement raised overnight, and after bleed off occuring, the next morning upon startup, your hydraulics instantly returns that implement back to the raised position. On tall implements, like post hole drillers and some stump grinders, I have heard of those slamming up on cab tractors and breaking the rear glass on a cab. Again the safety issue.

 

[CobyRupert]

When our goats were young one of them jumped on the tractor and hit the joystick. The bucket came down and just missed another goat playing on the ground. I've become religious about never leaving the bucket up.

Goats are ***holes, I doubt it was an “accident”.

 

[ovrszd]

What would the life expectancy of a hydraulic system be based on? Is it a simple mathematical calculation in regards to minutes/hours that a seal will hold pressure? Is it a simple mathematical calculation in regards to how many times the pressure system can cycle before failure?

I don't believe I've ever read anything that clarifies that.

What I have read in every owner's manual is to "lower all hydraulics before stopping the engine".

I do not know whether that is stated for safety reasons or stress reasons.

It's my contention that it's stress. Including stress on the chassis of the tractor to hold the load. I relax all hydraulics after engine stop before dismounting.

 

[bearthebruce]

My situations are while working. I'm actively on and off the tractor dozens of times during the day.

Tasks, such as cutting trees or clearing slash create need to use the chainsaw, gather loose branches, hook up chains, etc. If it's expected to be more than 5-7 minutes of effort, I idle down and shut off the tractor.

I have the same situations. When working trails, I am up and down/on and off the tractor. For safety reasons, I choose to drop the implements to the ground in part because I am working hills. Usually when i get off the machine, unless its a jump off, do a short thing, then back up, i shut her down. I never want to look up while cutting a tree to see the tractor sliding down hill beside me. I also do not want to be stupid as I am apt to be when tired, and walk under a raised bucket/forks.

Massey did not specify any stress related failures if the implements are left up but they did stress the safety.

I know i have left my box blade up but I never leave the FEL up. Most often I am working in front of the tractor - less so behind it.

Not sure I have the basis to give a definite answer.. as I don't think the Manufacturers have a statement on this matter other than safety. I just choose to drop things because being the newbie that I am and being the engineer that I am - it just seems more prudent to not leave things where they can move. I get myself in enough troubles without setting myself up to be crushed by a bucket!

 

[ericm979]

If I'm working with the tractor and shut it down to get off and do something, the implement and loader go down to the ground unless there's a specific reason to leave one up. The tractor is usually on a slope and I want the extra parking brake effect.

My loader is not up high enough for me to walk under while I'm off the tractor unless I am using the man cage on the forks. Since I operate on slopes a lot I keep the loader as low as possible all the time.

 

[John0829]

The question is if anyone from the TBN Brain Trust is aware - conclusively (not conjecture) - whether shutting off a tractor while the hydraulics are loaded is verified to be any more adverse for hydraulic system components, compared to what they receive during standard duty cycles with the tractor operating.

A static load, just holding something off the ground, makes no difference to the hydraulics, it is the same amount of "pressure/load" on them whether it is running or shut off. You will put more strain on the hydraulics by moving around and hitting ruts or holes bouncing the bucket or implement than sitting still with them up, besides there are relief valves built in to protect it from damage.

 

[ovrszd]

A static load, just holding something off the ground, makes no difference to the hydraulics, it is the same amount of "pressure/load" on them whether it is running or shut off. You will put more strain on the hydraulics by moving around and hitting ruts or holes bouncing the bucket or implement than sitting still with them up, besides there are relief valves built in to protect it from damage.

So this brings up another question. Do hydraulics eventually fail because of use or age?