FIRST vENTRAC SNOW EXPERIENCE

[check]

Gee, I never had this problem with my Kubota BX25. I wonder what the difference is?

 

[prs]

Gee, I never had this problem with my Kubota BX25. I wonder what the difference is?

You are way colder than I am too. But, in this case I am not sure I had a problem. Everything worked OK, but I just could not reasonably follow the instructions in the Owner's Manual which advises to not use the equipment until the hydraulic filters feel warm. It just was not going to happen within any reasonable time period.

My my utility tractor, JD 650, has no such owner manual advice and I just fire it up and work it lightly until it warms. I have the low temp JD Hytran in the JD and that fluid is similar or same as the good Kubota stuff, although not tinted orange. Hydraulics work normally right off the "get-go". The Ventrac is a different sort of horse, no real hydraulic "tank", the gear cases and front axle are the case and no good place to insert the heated dip stick as the fill port is the opening to a recovery bottle, like a coolant recovery bottle. The Ventrac has Ventrac hydrostatic fluid almost certainly Amsoil, which again is similar to Kubota's best stuff.

Mountaineer reported not being able to move if too cold, he is also in colder area than I, but not that much. If I were he, I would make sure the hytran fluid is the proper low viscosity stuff. For me, I think I will let it let it idle a few minutes to get flowing and then work lightly for another few minuted and then GIT"R DONE!

prs

 

[zmountaineer]

You are way colder than I am too. But, in this case I am not sure I had a problem. Everything worked OK, but I just could not reasonably follow the instructions in the Owner's Manual which advises to not use the equipment until the hydraulic filters feel warm. It just was not going to happen within any reasonable time period.

My my utility tractor, JD 650, has no such owner manual advice and I just fire it up and work it lightly until it warms. I have the low temp JD Hytran in the JD and that fluid is similar or same as the good Kubota stuff, although not tinted orange. Hydraulics work normally right off the "get-go". The Ventrac is a different sort of horse, no real hydraulic "tank", the gear cases and front axle are the case and no good place to insert the heated dip stick as the fill port is the opening to a recovery bottle, like a coolant recovery bottle. The Ventrac has Ventrac hydrostatic fluid almost certainly Amsoil, which again is similar to Kubota's best stuff.

Mountaineer reported not being able to move if too cold, he is also in colder area than I, but not that much. If I were he, I would make sure the hytran fluid is the proper low viscosity stuff. For me, I think I will let it let it idle a few minutes to get flowing and then work lightly for another few minuted and then GIT"R DONE!

prs

I know for a fact that mine is the ventrac hydraulic fluid. How do I know? I changed it myself. Until this year, my ventrac sat outside in the direct wind/cold. Hoping this year makes a difference being in the shed.

 

[johara1]

View attachment 532063 Try this in the hyd oil tank to keep it warm, Heated oil dipstick

They don't have a tank.... Jim

 

[johara1]

I used a torpedo heater and blew it on the filter side of the machine. Now it is in heated garage, turn the heat on for a couple hours before I use it...... Jim

 

[Code54]

How about putting a heater like this against the tank -

Amazon.com: Kat's 2415 15 Watt 4"x 5" Universal Hot Pad Heater: Automotive

 

[prs]

I know for a fact that mine is the ventrac hydraulic fluid. How do I know? I changed it myself. Until this year, my ventrac sat outside in the direct wind/cold. Hoping this year makes a difference being in the shed.

Same here. That first change interval came pretty quick! Ventrac changed the intervals after I purchased mine, but I follow most recent procedures.

prs

 

[prs]

johara1, that would be good, but I would hate to have to go to the tractor building at 4:00AM to turn on the heat. When I snows, I do the residence and then go to the office early to get the sidewalks clear (shovel and hand broom) per City ordinance and being a good neighbor. On days I don't work, I don't worry much about it. lol

What code54 shows did occur to me ( I was thinking about a "pig warmer" ). That could be put on a remote control switch or timer.

prs

 

[Old Red]

Just get out there and let it eat!

 

[johara1]

johara1, that would be good, but I would hate to have to go to the tractor building at 4:00AM to turn on the heat. When I snows, I do the residence and then go to the office early to get the sidewalks clear (shovel and hand broom) per City ordinance and being a good neighbor. On days I don't work, I don't worry much about it. lol

What code54 shows did occur to me ( I was thinking about a "pig warmer" ). That could be put on a remote control switch or timer.

prs

just put a timer on the heater to come on at 0400, I get up at 0600 and go out and turn it on ........ Not much for the dark anymore....... a torpedo heater does it fast ...... Jim