m5040
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2008
- Messages
- 893
- Location
- CT
- Tractor
- Kubota M6040 L2250, JohnDeere 310D, Ford 841 Elenco, Ford 961, Trapmaster, PT180 w/LM bucket and 45" brush cutter, PT1430 Deutz w/grapple bucket, Antonio Carraro Tigrecar 6500. John Deere 5300. Former owned Steiner 430 max, Goldoni REV Maxter 7
Since we have a new PT180 owner on the site I would like to bring up a topic that all of us could benefit from. I have mentioned it before but I think it is important, so here it goes again. The Power Trac tractor uses hydraulics to do a lot of things and each feature generates heat especially hyd drive implements. How do you know how hot your hydraulic oil is? How hot is too hot?
Hydraulic fluid temperatures above 180 DEG F damage most seal compounds and accelerate degradation of the oil. While the operation of any hydraulic system at temperatures above 180 DEG F should be avoided, fluid temperature is too high when viscosity falls below the optimum value for the hydraulic system's components. This can occur well below 180 deg F, depending on the fluid's viscosity grade.
It is probably obvious that you should drill, tap and install a gauge. But that is kind of difficult, so most owners wont do it. So I just ordered one of these for my 2nd tractor off of fleebay
BAKER INSTRUMENTS 312FC Thermometer,Magnetic Surface,F/C | eBay
If the link gets old, it is just a magnetic surface temperature gauge (0-250 deg F) that can be applied to your hyd reservoir at/below oil level for most accurate results. For $25 and no labor you can know how close you get to overheating your oil.
Be careful because if on the lower portion of tractor in heavy brush it might get knocked loose, I have almost lost mine (cracked glass). Since then I just stick it to the LOADER CONTROL VALVE, this has continuous oil flow through it but might register a slightly lower reading. You can see it from a normal seating position.
I STARTED OFF WITH A NEW PT180 OWNER BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY PT MADE WITHOUT A OIL COOLER! AND IT WILL OVERHEAT IF USED FOR HEAVY MOWING FOR MORE THEN 1/2 HOUR IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
It is better to drill and tap and conventional temp gauge, but if you want the next best choice, here you go...
Hydraulic fluid temperatures above 180 DEG F damage most seal compounds and accelerate degradation of the oil. While the operation of any hydraulic system at temperatures above 180 DEG F should be avoided, fluid temperature is too high when viscosity falls below the optimum value for the hydraulic system's components. This can occur well below 180 deg F, depending on the fluid's viscosity grade.
It is probably obvious that you should drill, tap and install a gauge. But that is kind of difficult, so most owners wont do it. So I just ordered one of these for my 2nd tractor off of fleebay
BAKER INSTRUMENTS 312FC Thermometer,Magnetic Surface,F/C | eBay
If the link gets old, it is just a magnetic surface temperature gauge (0-250 deg F) that can be applied to your hyd reservoir at/below oil level for most accurate results. For $25 and no labor you can know how close you get to overheating your oil.
Be careful because if on the lower portion of tractor in heavy brush it might get knocked loose, I have almost lost mine (cracked glass). Since then I just stick it to the LOADER CONTROL VALVE, this has continuous oil flow through it but might register a slightly lower reading. You can see it from a normal seating position.
I STARTED OFF WITH A NEW PT180 OWNER BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY PT MADE WITHOUT A OIL COOLER! AND IT WILL OVERHEAT IF USED FOR HEAVY MOWING FOR MORE THEN 1/2 HOUR IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
It is better to drill and tap and conventional temp gauge, but if you want the next best choice, here you go...
