Electrical Hydraulic Oil Heater for New Holland 655D Backhoe

[landrand]

I have a Ford New Holland 655D backhoe that I use every other day to feed large round hay bales to my cattle. I live in Northern Michigan. Since winter is approaching and I don't have a heated garage to house the backhoe in, I'm wondering if it would be possible to install some kind of hydraulic oil heater on the 655D. I have an electric engine oil heater installed so I can start on cold winter days. Unfortunately, it takes quite a while to warm the backhoe where the hydraulic oil bypass light doesn't light up. I believe when the hydraulic oil is cold, the flow automatically bypasses the hydraulic filter which isn't ideal. Nevertheless, if I can warm the hydraulic oil before starting, the better off I'll be. Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

Have never noticed it to make a difference on any of our loaders in the past, any heat would be quickly lost in the steel lines as soon as the fluid starts to circulate.

I think we used to wrap and tie blankets around exposed lines. However those two tractors also had a shop in the winter with jet heaters when needed. Other than that, if it was really too cold it was up to the horses and sled or wagon.

 

[grsthegreat]

They make self sticking silicon heat pads that plug into 120v with thermostats, problem is im not sure where in the tractor this hydraulic oil resides. I use one on my 3point hitch mounted hydraulic reservoir tank for my front mounted snow blower, but it doesnt heat tractors hydraulic oil.

 

[IH3444]

https://www.amsoil.com/c/hydraulic-oil/13/

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

https://www.amsoil.com/c/hydraulic-oil/13/

How about some context with the link? Most hydraulic fluid starts thickening at -10F.

 

[hosspuller]

If you hold the power steering to the lock, the fluid will relieve through the valve. This flow through the small opening will heat the fluid. This is recommended procedure for Deere machines.

 

[rScotty]

I have a Ford New Holland 655D backhoe that I use every other day to feed large round hay bales to my cattle. I live in Northern Michigan. Since winter is approaching and I don't have a heated garage to house the backhoe in, I'm wondering if it would be possible to install some kind of hydraulic oil heater on the 655D. I have an electric engine oil heater installed so I can start on cold winter days. Unfortunately, it takes quite a while to warm the backhoe where the hydraulic oil bypass light doesn't light up. I believe when the hydraulic oil is cold, the flow automatically bypasses the hydraulic filter which isn't ideal. Nevertheless, if I can warm the hydraulic oil before starting, the better off I'll be. Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated.

I live in a cold climate and have the same concerns.

For the engine I put a tarp over the hood and use an electric engine block/water heater for a few hours before starting it. That clearly makes a difference. But I don't know anything about your electric engine oil heater. What kind is yours? How does it work? Wattage?

Also, what kind of trans/hydraulic oil are you using? Changing from JD Hy-Gard to JD Hy-Gard Low Vis helped my hydraulics work better when cold.

I don't know of any way to pre-heat all that hydraulic oil in the winter. Sure wish I did. Maybe someone will know a method. If it gets too cold, I can just not go out, but you can't do that with feeding chores.
rScotty

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

I live in a cold climate and have the same concerns.

For the engine I put a tarp over the hood and use an electric engine block/water heater for a few hours before starting it. That clearly makes a difference. But I don't know anything about your electric engine oil heater. What kind is yours? How does it work? Wattage?

Also, what kind of trans/hydraulic oil are you using? Changing from JD Hy-Gard to JD Hy-Gard Low Vis helped my hydraulics work better when cold.

I don't know of any way to pre-heat all that hydraulic oil in the winter. Sure wish I did. Maybe someone will know a method. If it gets too cold, I can just not go out, but you can't do that with feeding chores.
rScotty

Same as you already do with a bigger tarp, jet heater and wrap the lines/hoses. I suppose you could run thermal tape along under the wraps instead and plugin the tapes with the block/pan/reservoir heater.

 

[5030]

If you hold the power steering to the lock, the fluid will relieve through the valve. This flow through the small opening will heat the fluid. This is recommended procedure for Deere machines.

I was under the impression that when frigid out, best to leave the Deere in the barn and get a real tractor out like a Kubota....

 

[5030]

In reality however, both my Kubota M's reside in an unheated barn with no electricity and it gets pretty darn cold here in the winter so I'll go out and fire them up and go back inside and have a warm coffee while they are on fast idle and by then the fluid is warm enough to run them... Never had an issue. I plow snow with them. Have to keep the drives and road open.