Loader Control Freezing

avc8130 · Jan 2, 2018

This winter my loader control stick seems to be freezing up when the machine sits. The joystick appears to actuate the valve through a few push/pull cables.

Any suggestions to remedy the situation?

Tx Jim · Jan 3, 2018

My guess is cable has moisture inside rubber covering which is turning into ICE. If I'm correct one needs to eliminate the moisture or park tractor in heated area.

diesel85 · Jan 3, 2018

I agree. See if you can move it to a heated place or warm it up somehow. It's probably ice.

Thomas · Jan 3, 2018

Try warming also WD40 around joy stick base.

CobyRupert · Jan 3, 2018

Tx Jim said:
My guess is cable has moisture inside rubber covering which is turning into ICE. If I'm correct one needs to eliminate the moisture or park tractor in heated area.

Could be this.
However, mine was freezing up at the spring inside the "can" on the valve body itself (opposite side of the valve from where the cable enters). I'd take a blow dryer or torch and hit the can and be good to go.
Finally one day I took off the can and a few tablespoons of water ran out, it's never froze since. I learned that my FEL control valves where made in Brazil, I'm guessing humid jungle air was sealed in there on the day it was made and condensed up here in the north.
I though about drilling a weep hole in the cover, but seeing how my FEL valves are located under the operator's floor, I reserved the right to sink the tractor in mud and water to this level.

Have someone move the joystick and look for movement down the line to the valve. You should be able to see what wiggles and what is frozen (either the stick, the cable, or the valve).

AStanton · Jan 3, 2018

The latch to my dog's kennel outside was always sticking in the freezing weather. I had a spray can of John Deere lube for the shaft of my snow blower and used some of that. Hasn't stuck yet. The spray when applied looks weird; it like sizzles/atomizes on the metal.

Sawyer Rob · Jan 3, 2018

One of my loader control cables freezes up in the cold, hit it with the propane torch and everything is fine until is refreezes.

I need to pull one end off and let the water out!

SR