Steiner wont move.

[hungry4dss]

I have a Steiner 430 with the Kohler 27hp engine. It has been a really cold winter in (Ontario Canada). Highs of-6F and lows of -22F for the last 3 weeks and no relief in sight. The tractor is stored inside in a non heated garage. The garage is usually 10 degrees warmer then the outside temperature.

My usually starting procedure is start the tractor, let it idle at 1300-1500 rpm for 30-40 mins while I shovel sidewalks. Come back and the tractor is good to go.

The other day I went back after my warm up and had no hydraulics. The tractor would not move forward or reverse, no turning and unable to lift snow blower or turn chute.

I put a space heater pointing at the pump hoping it would thaw out. After a couple hrs I went to start the tractor and now nothing. The engine wont turn over.

Frustrated I put it on the trailer and took it into the dealer.

Dealer fixes bad battery cable and advise hydraulics and pump are working properly.

Advise offered is start engine put front and rear trans axles in neutral, advance the forward and reverse lever a little causing hydraulic oil to run through the pump warming up the oil. If you push lever to far forward, its like revving your engine and popping the clutch.

So I will try this warming up procedure the next time we get some snow.

Are you guys doing anything else to warm up the hydro fluid before you use the tractor?

Stay warm

Shawn

 

[Raw Dodge]

I've had Steiners for 26 yrs I've never had that happen to me,but I seldom see those temperatures...if I were you,I would change the hydraulic oil to the thinnest possible,ideally amsoil 5w30 HD synthetic hydraulic oil,and change the hydraulic filter to a 25 micron aftermarket unit,I suggest a zinga AE25,they are cheap and good.the courser filter media will allow much better suction from the oil tank,which is the transaxle,to the pump,especially cold..Sunstrand makes the pumps and motors on the steiner,they recommend a 25 micron filter,but steiner used a 10, which in theory is better,but it reality if offers to much inlet restriction to the pump,reducing performance increasing noise,and making the pump work harder. my thoughts are that you may have a lot of moisture in your hydraulic oil too,especially if it rarley gets hot,it is an open system,and vents to the atmosphere without using a filter or airbox .his recommendation to run the axles in N isn't going to hurt anything,but expect to burn more fuel with that load on the machine.I personally would start and let it run 10 minutes and use it slowly at first until the hydraulics warm up.

 

[hungry4dss]

Raw Dodge thanks for the detail post. Thats a great idea, one I will use next winter.

The dealer did a hydraulic oil and filter change when they had it, so I dont want to change the filter and oil out at this time. I did put both axles in N for about 10 minutes and advances the gear lever a little at 2200rpm. Seem to work.

Suppose to warm up to 12 F Sat and their calling for 4 inches of snow, so the steiner will get more action then.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Your welcome,your dealer may have went with a lighter weight oil,what kind of filter did he put on it? If he put a 10 micron filter on,you can and should change that to a 25 micron,my recommendation and my dealers as well would be to fill the new filter with Bestline Powertrain additive,you'll immediately notice the hydraulics run quieter and smoother,and it will help greatly extend the life of the squish plate and barrels in the pump and motors..

 

[hungry4dss]

I will pickup a 25 micron filter and try that.

Cheers

 

[Industrial Toys]

Raw Dodge seems to know his Steiners. I will look for that additive for my 430 max. I have not had a problem this winter, but was also told by my dealer mechanic about putting in neutral and advancing the swash plate to accomodate hydrualic oil warm up. I use JD low viscosity hydrostat oil in mine and a host of other equipment just to save money on fluids. I trust JD oils to be of the highest quality. Not cheap, but I buy it by the bucket, usually in the early part of the year when it's slightly on sale. A small manufacturer like Steiner having their own (imo) overpriced and specially named oil available in small one litre bottles is an expensive joke.

I would guess, your oil is too thick or you have water in there.

 

[Daviscassandra35]

Ok well I can't even get mine unloaded from the trailor

 

[Daviscassandra35]

And I can't figure out where the usual imprinted information is on the tractor I've looked everywhere

 

[prs]

daviscassandra;

List your Make, model, and year of production and someone here can probably get you on the move PDQ. Since you are looking for imprinted on the tractor labels, I guess you are a new bee. Ventrac 4500 series have an electrical cut off below and to left of seat. Fuel shot off below and center of seat. SDLS in neutral, PTO off, park brake on. Steiner, I dunno. Might also want to start your own new thread to get attention.

Good luck and welcome to the fire.

prs