new member with ford 1910 hydraulics issue

[fishindan]

hi guys, I have a ford 1910 that I have always had problems with my hydraulics freezing up when it gets really cold. Usually after let her run for a bit they get warmed up and start to flow properly. I let her run for an hour the other day and had only partial power steering, which usually defrosts first, then the 3 point and the loader are good to go. I was turning the wheel and could hear the pump working and could feel the power steering partially working. I let it run another hour and now I have nothing, no pump sound when steering, no 3 pt and no loader. I hit the lines with a heat gun, and pulled the drain plug beneath the hydro filter and no fluid pumping out at all. Is my pump shot? Thanks for any help with this, I don't want to be shoveling my driveway all winter! Dan

 

[wdchyd]

I don't know about your specific model but the first thing I would do is get it in a warm space, thaw it out, change the hyd oil and clean any tank strainers and filters

If nothing is obvious then start troubleshooting procedures with gauges

Could be a variety of problems but water in the oil or clogged suction strainer I would look close at

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin,sounds like you have some water froze in there blocking hydraulic flow.

 

[fishindan]

yeah, I took the plow off the back and jacked up the loader and blocked it up so I could move it to the garage, it is in there now and it is usually about 40+ degrees in there so it will thaw for sure. Not too optimistic though, I have had this machine for 20+ yrs and it never failed to thaw when run for an hr or so. I have a new filter on there too so that's not the issue. My fluid is very milky, but that's been typical of this rig. I figured with the filter drain plug out and the tractor running, oil should be shooting all over the place. Thanks for replying guys, and I will keep my fingers crossed for a miracle thaw! It has been single digits here at night for a good spell, and not out of 20s during the day, so maybe.

 

[wdchyd]

Having milky fluid if it's water will eventually rust up the insides of all your components, not something to blow off......but then again you said you always had a problem with your hydraulics freezing up?....Here's your sign!!

 

[fishindan]

well guys I am happy to say I had a thawing miracle after all! Fired her up when I got home from work today and the 3 point went right up! What a relief! Now I will have to do some maintenance and see if I can prevent this from happing in the future.. It is supposed to be frigid here the next few days so I will be waiting a while before I get on it. Thanks for the replies, and I will be checking back in to see if I can be of any help to anyone else here. Dan

 

[wdchyd]

Glad to hear.....the thaw is just a warning shot over the bow....now time to clear it up

Lots of advice from guys here about additives to clear up water in hyd systems

 

[JFS2295]

This is an old story if you search for the same issue with the 1710. I've had the issue a number of times.

Water gets into the hydraulic fluid (easily) and freezes up. Drain all the oil out, and repeat in a few months. Make sure you have the shifter boot on the trans case well sealed.