Kyoti CK35 HST hydraulic woe's from a newby

[DK35vince]

There are 3 pump systems in this tractor. 1-loader/3pt, 2- steering, & 3 - hst/charge pump. #1&2 share the same suction inlet line. All 3 share the same reservoir and suction filter (filter below the platform nest to right rear tire). Pumps can heat up and whine due to cavitation just as easily as constant running over relief. If there was a deadhead situation at rear remote the loader cylinders would still work until that cylinder reached max stroke. Oil from the loader cylinders dump back to tank, not back into Power-beyond, so of path of least resistance applies.
Given extreme cold temp, whine in HST, & fast heat build up in loader/steering pump, I would guess there is enough moisture in fluid to allow ice crystals to plug the suction filter so all 3 pumps are caveating. The HST pump will move, although sluggish) without charge pressure for a little time until it pumps itself out.

Before going to far I would put the thing in a heated building to let it thaw out and see what happens.
And that sticking remote needs fixed regardless.

 

[murphy1244]

Before going to far I would put the thing in a heated building to let it thaw out and see what happens.
And that sticking remote needs fixed regardless.

^^^^ Do this first^^^^

 

[TJP89]

^^^^ Do this first^^^^

Agree

 

[Pete28]

Sorry guys I've been away for a few days. For the record, we regularly hit -25C to -35C here and the tractor has never failed. In those temps I let it warm up for 30 minutes before using. It did dip to -40C that night but it was back around -25C when I tried to use it and this all started. Its -8C again today and it has yet to warm up to above freezing for any length of time so I'll wait patiently until that happens before I start trouble shooting. I did try again today and still no movement on the hydraulics and the steering also does not work.
Very frustrating as again there was no warning for this issue. Worked one day, not the next.
Thanks for all the input thus far.

 

[jimmyj]

It's supposed to warm up next week. Lets see what happens.

 

[Coyote machine]

Pete28, in your first post you say when you depress the clutch. And you state your Kioti is an HST model, yes?
Does the CK-25 series have a clutch with HST? I'm not that familiar with that model Kioti.

I agree with those who say until you can warm up the entire tractor there is no way to determine the actual issue. At the temps you were working it there is little doubt bad things can happen, especially when it comes to fluids NOT flowing, ice crystals forming, etc.
Seems to me there are a couple of issues going on: your remote lever function, regardless of temperatures, and a 'deadhead' whine that needs to be found out as to cause/effect.

I've worked at a VT ski area at various times, years ago, and at -40 anything and EVERYTHING that can break does. Thought that piece of hard taught wisdom doesn't solve your issues, it may help you understand that it is too much to ask for most equipment to run at all in those temps. Even the snowcats have sheds to keep them from snapping like a twig in sub-zero temps.

I suspect you will find that when warm enough to function as intended the tractor may have need of a hydraulic fluid and filter change, especially if one, (filter in particular) hasn't been done recently. This may be in addition to finding a source of deadheading of the hydro pump.

Hopefully you haven't destroyed the pump, but time will tell whether you lucked out on that possibility. Hopefully you dodged that bullet.
Keep us posted, and stay inside when it hits say, minus 10? -20.....:thumbsup:

 

[Pete28]

Pete28, in your first post you say when you depress the clutch. And you state your Kioti is an HST model, yes?
Does the CK-25 series have a clutch with HST? I'm not that familiar with that model Kioti.

I agree with those who say until you can warm up the entire tractor there is no way to determine the actual issue. At the temps you were working it there is little doubt bad things can happen, especially when it comes to fluids NOT flowing, ice crystals forming, etc.
Seems to me there are a couple of issues going on: your remote lever function, regardless of temperatures, and a 'deadhead' whine that needs to be found out as to cause/effect.

I've worked at a VT ski area at various times, years ago, and at -40 anything and EVERYTHING that can break does. Thought that piece of hard taught wisdom doesn't solve your issues, it may help you understand that it is too much to ask for most equipment to run at all in those temps. Even the snowcats have sheds to keep them from snapping like a twig in sub-zero temps.

I suspect you will find that when warm enough to function as intended the tractor may have need of a hydraulic fluid and filter change, especially if one, (filter in particular) hasn't been done recently. This may be in addition to finding a source of deadheading of the hydro pump.

Hopefully you haven't destroyed the pump, but time will tell whether you lucked out on that possibility. Hopefully you dodged that bullet.
Keep us posted, and stay inside when it hits say, minus 10? -20.....:thumbsup:

Yes it does have a clutch and when I depress it, the whine stops. It hasn't had a hydraulic oil/filter change in a while so thats at the top of my list to do... plus fixing the remote lever.

 

[Gittyup]

Yes it does have a clutch and when I depress it, the whine stops. It hasn't had a hydraulic oil/filter change in a while so thats at the top of my list to do... plus fixing the remote lever.

Is your PTO in neutral? I think that's all that it controls on the HST tractors. Maybe your problem is with the PTO.

 

[Pete28]

Is your PTO in neutral? I think that's all that it controls on the HST tractors. Maybe your problem is with the PTO.

Yes PTO is in neutral. Snowed again here last night but temps are expected to climb to +20ºC this weekend. Unfortunately I'll be out of town from the April 12th to the 22nd. I guess that will give it time to warm up sufficiently so I'll try again when I'm back.

 

[TJP89]

Is your PTO in neutral? I think that's all that it controls on the HST tractors. Maybe your problem is with the PTO.

Don't think the PTO would have that much effect on the hydro on the HST.
You have to clutch in to start on the HST CKs 25-35, not sure on the 20.

OP, the fact that the steering does not work either is actually good, unless both pumps have failed, it's not the pump. I agree, warm it up, fix the remote, change fluids and filters, then see where you are. Good chance that may fix it, the combination of the jammed remote, old fluids/filters, and the cold may have just shut it down. If there's permanent damage, we'll get there.