Cold Weather Steerig

[hlpdobro]

The Alberta Clipper finally hit Maryland along with a reasonable amount of snow.

I found myself on my 3840 with the early AM temp at 6 degrees f. Started right up on first try. Steering was another issue. It took about 10 min for the steering hydraulics to loosen up, albeit with a bit of gentle prodding.

Any danger of system damage by my excercising of the steering before things warmed up a bit? Any general guidelines...?

It was probably a tad foolish to be plowing in single digit temps. Had to try it out!

tia

HP

 

[DieselPower]

As long as it was some gentle prodding your probably fine. In extra cold weather I would just suggest a little longer warm up period before use. Run outside and fire it up and come back in for a cup of hot coffee while it warms up. You could also try using a thiner viscosity oil that would flow easier in the cold weather.

On another note, what you think of this cold snap? Looks like old Jack Frost finally showed up. I'm a couple of hundred feet from the Frederick county line. Just on the other side of Emmitsburg, MD in PA.

 

[hlpdobro]

Howdy neighbor...Been through Fairfield many times.

I was shocked at how well the tractor started at near zero temps. It ran like a dream..Woulda loved to have had a heated cab though.

hp

 

[Bird]

Of course we don't have a lot of really cold weather in my part of Texas, but several years ago my rancher neighbor bought an old used Oliver tractor. The first cold morning he went out and started it up and the steering didn't work. He left it running while he went back in the house to call the dealer he'd just bought it from to tell them to send a mechanic. They told him to have another cup of coffee, then go check again, and call back if it still wasn't working. Of course he didn't have to call back; it worked fine after it warmed up.

 

[Thomas]

They told him to have another cup of coffee, then go check again, and call back if it still wasn't working. Of course he didn't have to call back; it worked fine after it warmed up.

That's why one shouldn't drink decaf when letting equipment warm up.

 

[Maka]

Hello. We are a dealer in No. Idaho and Kalispell Montana and get some very cold weather as well. First, if the tractor is new it has a higher viscosity fluid in it than what you will want to reg. use. I would go with maybe a 32 as in the winter it will perform better and does well in warmer weather.

I suspect that maybe you have less than 50hrs so on your 50hr service use a lighter viscosity. In the mean time just let it warm up and it will be fine and should not hurt anything.

Maka

 

[hlpdobro]

Thanks folks..

New it is, with about 9 hours.

We have a "major winter event" forecast for Tuesday. I'll warm it up a while longer and increase my coffee consumption.

hp