Cold Weather On Hydraulic System

Cabinholler · Mar 8, 2005

On 02/18/05, I bought a new 4341.1 Zetor tractor, with cab, with 4X4, with shuttle, and with a 102SL loader. How cold of weather can I use the tractor and loader, without damaging the hydraulics on the tractor and loader? I have heard some people say that using a tractor and loader in real cold weather is not good for the hydraulics. If this is true, what cold temperature reading should a person stop using their tractor and loader.

A reply to this message would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Cabinholler

db2 · Mar 9, 2005

Where I am we use all equipment (tractors, loaders, backhoes, pickers etc) anytime we want in any weather. Make sure the engine is up to operating temperature and go to it. Trouble seems to start at -30 to -40 and it is usually from broken hoses. Check your manual.

Dargo · Mar 9, 2005

In temps below zero, I've noticed that Kubota's have the nasty habit of having the joystick freeze up. Although where I live, it doesn't stay below zero much, it is somewhat inconvenient when I can't get the loader bucket off of the ground. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I don't know if other tractors do that or not. I've mostly owned JD products in the past, and I don't recall having that happen with them. In all fairness though, I'm not sure that I had the misfortune of leaving one of the JD's outside in sub-zero weather though.

Villengineer · Mar 9, 2005

That sounds more like an issue of moisture in the actual handle mechanics of the valve, not the hydraulics. The boot on the handle may not be sealing tight enough or has a crack or hole.
The performance of hydraulics in the cold is almost exclusively dependent upon the specific fluid you have in the system. There are 2 quick ways to find the proper fluid. First if you know the pump's recomended max fluid viscosity at start-up you can pick the fluid based on it's viscosity at your lowest operating temperature. The other, less precise way, is to use the fluid's pour point as the basis. As a general rule you want your pour point to be about 20degF below your lowest operating temp. So if you want to operate at 0degF, run a fluid with a pour point of -20degF or lower.
Your tractor's manual may also specify the viscosity grade necessary for various operating temps. Hope this helps.

Cactus · Mar 9, 2005

If a tractor could not be used in sub zero weather it would be worthless to have....The best thing you could do is start it up and let it idle for about 15 to 20 minutes and then get on it and use it....Thats just my 2 cents. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Deerlope · Mar 9, 2005

You will never have to worry about it being too cold where yor are from. Kentucky, right. -20 ain't nothing for a tractor.

tomnky · Mar 9, 2005

The winter of 1977 In Latonia Ky it was -25 with a wind chill of -63, granted it isn't that cold every winter but, sometimes We do have cold weather. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

thegreatrandini · Mar 10, 2005

In Artic conditions they do use fluid heaters to keep the flow. You will be ok as long as you warm up your tractor before u put a load on. In anchorage they use loaders year round. They haul the snow out of town in the winter...... Just bring ur unit up to operating temp.... I see you went with the Zetor... I am a little jealous of the cab and all. Good luck with it...

Cactus · Mar 10, 2005

( The winter of 1977 )

That was definately the one for the record books.

tomnky · Mar 10, 2005

yep that was , the reason I remember that night so vividly is because I was out in it all night long. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif