Ford F1700 hydraulics not working when cold

[The machinist]

Hi there,first post for me I have just signed up after looking into this forum for years.Now I have been having hydraulic issues with my F1700 4x4 before when its cold(-20) I have always managed to get it into my garage but I can't always do that because I park it with the bucket tipped down so it won't stick to the ice or fill up with rain/snow so its a real pain to disconnect the top link of the bucket cylinders and chain the bucket up so I can drive!Anyway long story short,can I put synthetic fluid in the hydraulic/transmission system?Who makes the best stuff?I have 2 flters ,one I keep in the parts washer and one in the tractor which I swap about every 6 months,maybe I need an auxilliary in line filter with a screw on cartridge.Can anyone clue me in?

 

[J_J]

If you want to continue the same fluid, then you have to warm it up, by outside heat.

After starting your tractor, the relief valve activating will heat up the fluid. Working the hyd will help heat up the fluid.

If there is any water in the fluid, ice crystals may form and inhibit fluid flow.

Work the hyd slowly until fluid is warm. You should be able to feel your valve and determine the status of the fluid.

Do a crackle test on the fluid.

 

[The machinist]

Thanks for responding.I had the tractor in my garage for a few days,drained the fluid,noticed a little bit of milky oil,yep water.I found out from my parts store guy(very knowlegable man)that these older tractors can let water seep in when out in the rain/snow so thereby contaminating the system so I have to keep it covered or inside.Thanks for the insight.BTW what's a crackle test,heat?

 

[J_J]

Yes, crackle test is a simple test. Heat a spoon or tin foil until hot and add several drops of suspected fluid.

If there is water in the fluid, it will crackle, pop or sizzle.

Even with tractor covered, over time condensation can develop on the inside of the metal tank.