How are the hydro drive tractors doing in the bitter cold ?

slowrev · Feb 8, 2007

Just curious.

Bob_Skurka · Feb 8, 2007

I plowed 6" of snow off the driveway the other evening. Temps were right around 0. No problems. Never had problems any other year either.

I believe that you need to let the tractor warm up a bit when the temps drop down low, but that is just as much for the hydraulic fluids so they flow as for anything else. In low temps I find the hydraulics can be sluggish.

jbrumberg · Feb 8, 2007

I had no problems at all last winter. My biggest problem this year is lack of snow

! I did have my diesel fuel gell up one time this year when the temperature was around zero, but I have had no problems with the HST and/or hydraulics other than a little initial "whining" while the tractor was warming up in single digit temperatures. Tractor ran fine after warmup

. Who would not whine when waking up to zero temperatures

? Jay

shvl73 · Feb 8, 2007

Mine has been just fine. As with the others, I warm it up, 5 minutes or so. I use light pedal pressure until warmed up well.

_RaT_ · Feb 8, 2007

jbrumberg said:
I had no problems at all last winter. My biggest problem this year is lack of snow ! I did have my diesel fuel gell up one time this year when the temperature was around zero, but I have had no problems with the HST and/or hydraulics other than a little initial "whining" while the tractor was warming up in single digit temperatures. Tractor ran fine after warmup . Who would not whine when waking up to zero temperatures ? Jay

According to the news, your prayers may be getting answered. Is 8 feet of snow a lot of snow? I hear that is what New York may get.

john_bud · Feb 8, 2007

I had trouble in years past due to the HST filter blowing out from high pressure from the pre-charge pump. Kubota's 3rd generation filter has been perfect (knock on wood) so far. First 5-15 minutes of warm up with the clutch dogged down. Pre-charge pump works unless the clutch is down.

jb

_RaT_ · Feb 8, 2007

john_bud said:
I had trouble in years past due to the HST filter blowing out from high pressure from the pre-charge pump. Kubota's 3rd generation filter has been perfect (knock on wood) so far. First 5-15 minutes of warm up with the clutch dogged down. Pre-charge pump works unless the clutch is down.

jb

John, are you using SUDT or equivlent?

Egon · Feb 9, 2007

Mine does just fine in cold weather.

Needs to be plugged in to start though!

Operator is the worst problem. He has to be Kick started!

At -35C the operator is only good for a few hours before his hydraulic and fuel lines gel up. An addition of some warming additive does wonders.

Then he's ready for another few hours.

Botabill · Feb 9, 2007

No trouble with HST but like others say hydraulics can be a little sluggish til the machine has warmed up good. SUDT isn't available from Kubota dealers in my area of Ontario. I use CASE HYTRAN. Many Kubota dealer sell CASE equipment and say the Hytran is a superior oil for our cold climate.