Freezing loader cables

[rayclar]

Hi all just wondering if anyone has some hint for thawing loader control cables and keeping them thawed? Im thinking of 12 v heat tracing the cables right to the control valve and insulating them, if i can find 12v tracer. Any hints would be appreciated. Thanks ray

 

[Craig Clayton]

I am just alittle bit south of you. Ok thirty miles north of TO.
Could you post a pic because I am not sure what you mean.

Craig Clayton

 

[rayclar]

My loader control cables from the joystick in the cab go through the floor to the hydralic control valve outside where the loader disconnects are??? Clear as mud eh

 

[SSdoxie]

How is moisture getting in to make them freeze? Heat them up with a heat gun or hair dryer, spray liberal amount of penitrating fluid into top of the cable to let it soak down to the control valve. After it is moving freely, figure out how moisture is getting in and seal it. Steel will not freeze to steel so moisture has to be getting in to freeze cable to the housing.

 

[oldnslo]

Are they freezing or is the grease/lube so stiff the cables won't move. Most of these cables have a rubber or plastic coating so may have to make sure any heat tape you use doesn't melt the cover.

 

[RickB]

I have heard of folks injecting antifreeze into the cable sheaths when the source of water ingress can't be located or stopped.

 

[NormL]

Hi all just wondering if anyone has some hint for thawing loader control cables and keeping them thawed? Im thinking of 12 v heat tracing the cables right to the control valve and insulating them, if i can find 12v tracer. Any hints would be appreciated. Thanks ray

How about lock de-icer? Some brands may even have lubricant in them.

 

[Sawdustsmb]

Is it freezing in the cables or the control valve? Are you getting any movement in the joystick?

 

[fastback88]

Mine is freezing up also but only on the up and down the dump and roleback works fine.

 

[Sawdustsmb]

Fastback - Mine freezes the same as yours. Read a post a week or so ago - I think a kabota doing the same thing. The thought was it has moisture in the back side of the control valve but don't take the 2 screws out to take those caps off. seems there is several small ball bearings and springs in there. The suggestion was to drill a tiny hole in the bottom edge of that cap. I'm going to play with a heat gun tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about drilling holes!! do a search for freezing loader or something like that.

Bob

 

[rayclar]

Update on my freezing cables, it seems to be freezing in the cab. The joystick will move a little but where the cables enter the sheath they do move at all. If i let the tractor warm up for 15 minutes all is fine ,but it is only 8 degrees below the freezing point the last couple of days. Im also trying to get some wd40 into the cables but there sure isn't much room to do that. Scratch all the previous, went outside to put more wd40 and the up motion is solid, down works(same cable) so it can't be freezing in cab must be at the valve, will try hair dryer or spot light to warm it (valve)in the morning to see if that will help????

 

[fastback88]

Fastback - Mine freezes the same as yours. Read a post a week or so ago - I think a kabota doing the same thing. The thought was it has moisture in the back side of the control valve but don't take the 2 screws out to take those caps off. seems there is several small ball bearings and springs in there. The suggestion was to drill a tiny hole in the bottom edge of that cap. I'm going to play with a heat gun tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about drilling holes!! do a search for freezing loader or something like that.

Bob

I had my control valve apart this summer there was a broken spring, there was no moisture in there.Mine must be in the cable I will check it out this weekend. Mine is a Kubota

 

[Craig Clayton]

To rayclar

See if your cables will take the WD40. Use this for now because you are in a winter climate . The WD40 is ( OK ) but it is really junk as along term soution. Buy a spray can of Rust Check from your supplier up there. I use the red can of Rust Check in all my car door locks in the winter. In the winter I find the RC goes in but it can be alittle slow to loosen a frozen lock. But it will outlast WD40. Use the spray tube on RC to put it on the cables very sparingly. The cables have to suck it down by capillary action which is slow in the winter.

Craig Clayton