Oil pan heater for hydraulic sump

[Kioti Dave]

As a Canadian, we have to put up with months of below zero weather. I push lots of snow, and am thinking of adding an adhesive oil pan heater to my hydraulic sump near the rear axle. I already have a block heater that does well to heat the engine and engine oil, but it takes some time to heat the hydraulic oil. Has anyone else done this and how well did it work for you? Thanks. Also, the tractor is stored in garage, but not heated.

 

[Amvcane]

I have not. What type of hydro fluid is in the tractor? It could possibly be that the hydro fluid is not specified for extreme cold weather operation.

 

[Kioti Dave]

I have not. What type of hydro fluid is in the tractor? It could possibly be that the hydro fluid is not specified for extreme cold weather operation.

Yes, have synthetic in there right from 50 hrs. Seemed to help. However, when it is 30 below zero, it takes a while for everything to warm up, like 20 minutes. Would like to get up to temp sooner, and hope a pan heater in conjunction with block heater will accomplish that.

 

[Robin Veerman]

Dave,
Darn right it can get cold in Canada! I'm in Ontario and we can get to -30 quite easily too, sometimes too often for my liking. I have a CK30HST and I've installed AMSOIL tractor/hydraulic fluid since the first service.

AMSOIL Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil SAE 5W-3�

It's not cheap but I'm amazed at how quickly the FEL etc works as per usual in the extreme cold. (pour point -50C) My tractor shed is 10 minutes away from my house so I find it difficult to stand around waiting for the tractor to warm up. Since installing the AMSOIL I can start blowing snow, albeit gently, within 5 minutes of startup and the tractor operates like it's summer weather.

I use AMSOIL 5W30 Signature Series Max Duty diesel oil in the engine year round and it starts great in the cold.

AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil 5W-3�

Synthetic lubes are your friend in extreme conditions! My 2cents....Dutchy

 

[Kioti Dave]

Dave,
Darn right it can get cold in Canada! I'm in Ontario and we can get to -30 quite easily too, sometimes too often for my liking. I have a CK30HST and I've installed AMSOIL tractor/hydraulic fluid since the first service.

AMSOIL Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil SAE 5W-3�

It's not cheap but I'm amazed at how quickly the FEL etc works as per usual in the extreme cold. (pour point -50C) My tractor shed is 10 minutes away from my house so I find it difficult to stand around waiting for the tractor to warm up. Since installing the AMSOIL I can start blowing snow, albeit gently, within 5 minutes of startup and the tractor operates like it's summer weather.

I use AMSOIL 5W30 Signature Series Max Duty diesel oil in the engine year round and it starts great in the cold.

AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil 5W-3�

Synthetic lubes are your friend in extreme conditions! My 2cents....Dutchy

Thanks fellow Canadian Dutchy. I am not using AMSOIL, but am using a synthetic with a pour point of -50C. Maybe I'm just impatient.

 

[jbrumberg]

Dave- There are thermostatically controlled (<65F on - <85F off) 85W 120V .7A hydraulic/fuel metal filter pre-heaters made by E Tip, Inc. They are like a 12 ounce can coozy(sp?) and attach around the metal filter with spring/hook fasteners.

Universal Preheaters - The Best Way To Preheat Almost Anything [ETIP, Inc.]


My tractor started easily at -17ºF using the engine block heater and this metal filter preheater. No hydraulic pump whining noticed.

 

[Kioti Dave]

Dave- There are thermostatically controlled (<65F on - <85F off) 85W 120V .7A hydraulic/fuel metal filter pre-heaters made by E Tip, Inc. They are like a 12 ounce can coozy(sp?) and attach around the metal filter with spring/hook fasteners.

Universal Preheaters - The Best Way To Preheat Almost Anything [ETIP, Inc.]


My tractor started easily at -17ｺF using the engine block heater and this metal filter preheater. No hydraulic pump whining noticed.

Thanks. That's exactly what I had in mind. Will give it a try this winter.

 

[jbrumberg]

You are welcome. I am pretty sure that you will like how well it works.

 

[grsthegreat]

i have 3 of them on my tractor. 2 for transmission, oil pan heat and one for the 3 point 25 gallon hydraulic tank for my snow machine. They hook into a wall mounted time clock set to run 2 hours before i generally use the thing. I used a pad made by Wolverine. They have been working flawlessly since 2010. Silicone Pad Heaters - Phillips & Temro Industries

 

[The Fred]

I changed my CK2610 over to KUbota SUDT2 because I share implements and I noticed a big difference in cold use of the hydraulics, I've started it down to 0 (your -18) and no warm up needed compared to what the factory fill was.

I also use SUDT2 in an old crawler that took forever for the hydraulics to warm up and that one works very well also. The stuff is expensive but worth the money except that during the last snow storm I blew a hose on my snowblower and sprayed the whole side of my house with SUDT2 and the vinyl is nice and shiny now.