Frozen 3 pt. hitich

teach · Jan 21, 2007

Has anyone had a 3 pt. hitch freeze on them? My 1983 B7100 appears to have a frozen 3 pt hitch. It works fine when it is above freezing, but last few days the temp. dropped into the teens and hasn't been above freezing during the day for a few days now. The tractor is kept outside, but is covered with a tarp. I have had the machine for over 3 years now and this is the first time this ever happened.
Teach

m7040 · Jan 21, 2007

check for water in the hydraulic system, Open the drain plug a little after it has sat idle for a while and see if water comes out

teach · Jan 25, 2007

Thanks for the info. but...how will that work if it is still frozen? We haven't seen above freezing temps in two weeks and it doesn't look like it will warm up any time soon.
Teach

Sully2 · Jan 25, 2007

How long has the fluid been in it??? And when it was last changed..??...was the PROPER fluid put back in it? "Freezing" is either caused by water in it..or the fluid itself is so "thick" at low temps its not flowing.

If it requires any sort of servicing...you'll have to get it into a heated garage

638 · Jan 25, 2007

What is frozen about it, won't raise, or won't drop???

ron

teach · Jan 26, 2007

ron,
It won't raise. I let the tractor warm up (though it is outside) for about 25 minutes and the 3 pt. still wouldn't raise. It happened once before, about a month ago, and a couple of days later when the temps. got up into the 40's it went right up! Unfortunately, I don't have a garage (not for at least two more years anyway) to work on it in. I have never changed the fluid, so not sure if its that or if its frozen, though I thought they were pretty sealed against water getting in. The rear PTO wouldn't shift in and engage either. Thanks for help.
Teach

c-and-a · Jan 26, 2007

I realize this may be a simple question - but is the fluid level where it needs to be?

I have a BX2350 that had problems with the cold weather, and the fluid was low - once I topped it off, and let it run and warm up - problem solved...

It is a new tractor (August), and as I learned on TBN - once you run a new unit, the fluid level drops based on filling all the nooks & crannies - I have added 1.5 quarts, but now the fluid level has stabilized...

Just sharing - as I am experiencing the same weather as you are...not too far apart...

638 · Jan 26, 2007

Just letting it run for 25 min really didn't warm up the hydraulic oil that much. Try letting the engine warm up a little and then drive it around for a while. Run it in low range, and go slow at first to allow the oil to get loosened up a little.

ron

charlz · Jan 27, 2007

Is it gear or Hydro? If it is gear and you are running gear oil (80w or so) it is probably just really really thick. What happens when you try to raise the 3pt? i.e. what sound does it make?

Charles

teach · Jan 27, 2007

The fluid level looked fine, but thanks for the idea. The tractor is a std shift. It doesn't make any noise when I try to raise it. The shift lever moves as it should, but absolutely nothing happens. No movement in the hitch, no noise either. I appreciate everyone's help, you guys are the best!
Teach