Warming hydraulics

duroc · Jan 6, 2015

Spoke with a NH tech today about how badly the hydraulics whine when it's cold outside. I use a engine coolant heater when temps get below 35 degrees, but I also go out and start the engine and let it run while I don my cold weather clothes. The Coolant heater does nothing for the hydraulic system, so he recommends engaging the PTO upon engine start-up to heat the hydro fluid while I'm in the house changing clothes. Of course, this is with no PTO moving implements attached and the PTO cover in place. I'm just curious as to how many of you guys/gals do this?

Msamt · Jan 7, 2015

I do, nothing on my 3pt, but it does get the hydro fluid moving, and heated up

Avondale · Jan 7, 2015

I run my PTO/Snow blower while tractor warms up. I also cycle my FEL a number of times in an effort to exchange the fluid from the four rams back to the tank and replaced with warmer oil from the tank. Not sure if this is actually how it works but it is my theory.

Tractor Seabee · Jan 7, 2015

I have been curious about why tractor manufacturers have crankcase heaters available but no HST sump heater port. It seems the HST is more critical than the engine in that if the engine turns over and starts it will soon warm up from the combustion. Even in the mild weather we have here in Puget Sound it takes a long time to feel any heat in the HST fluid. The suction strainer seems like a good place for a HST heater w/o making a new tapping.

Ron

BarnieTrk · Jan 7, 2015

I wonder how well a three heater system would be accepted - the three heaters would be hard wired together and brought to a single pigtail plug at the side of the steering tower. The single plug harness would feed power to a 400-watt coolant soft plug emersion block heater, a 100-watt 5"x7" pad heater located at the base of the battery box, and a 600-watt 6"x10" pad heater mounted on a protected location of the hydraulic storage tank. A fella would need a heavy cord no more than 25ft long to feed them, but it sure would keep your tractor toasty during sub-freezing temperatures!

BarnieTrk :thumbsup:

Jim Timber · Jan 9, 2015

Deere manual says to turn the steering wheel to full lock in one direction for a couple minutes to warm the fluid.

roadhunter · Jan 9, 2015

BarnieTrk said:
I wonder how well a three heater system would be accepted - the three heaters would be hard wired together and brought to a single pigtail plug at the side of the steering tower. The single plug harness would feed power to a 400-watt coolant soft plug emersion block heater, a 100-watt 5"x7" pad heater located at the base of the battery box, and a 600-watt 6"x10" pad heater mounted on a protected location of the hydraulic storage tank. A fella would need a heavy cord no more than 25ft long to feed them, but it sure would keep your tractor toasty during sub-freezing temperatures!

BarnieTrk :thumbsup:

That is similar to what I do. I have a factory block heater, a battery heater, a magnetic block heater, and a flexible pad that I put between the motor and the fuel lines. Sometimes I also put a charger on the battery to help as the glow plugs can draw one down when we get to sub zero temps. I need to upgrade the battery before next winter.

I like the PTO idea. Will give that a try tomorrow. I am still cleaning up form last nights blizzard.

BarnieTrk · Jan 10, 2015

Jim Timber said:
Deere manual says to turn the steering wheel to full lock in one direction for a couple minutes to warm the fluid.

Jim,
Based on what I've read, your JD 5045E appears to be a VERY nice tractor. I am not familiar with the "partially synchronized "SyncShuttle" transmission.

Is that what is commonly referred to as a Hydrostatic Transmission?
You don't have a clutch, right?
If it is, then I would suspect that the steering system fluid is part of the entire hydraulic system, correct?

If I am understanding it correctly - by turning your steering wheel back n' forth would cause a warming of the fluid. By engaging your PTO would also cause a warming of the hydraulic fluid.

In comparison (from my novice understanding of it), the steering system on my ol' 1989 FORD 1720 with 4x4 & FEL options, is a separate system with it's own fluid reservoir. So turning my steering wheel only causes a warming of its stand-alone system fluid. However, by cycling the FEL up & down & rolling the bucket back n' forth as well as engaging the PTO, will cause a warming of its main/large hydraulic fluid.

BarnieTrk :reading:

Walkin Horse · Jan 10, 2015

I went out just now to load some manure for a guy. It's 15 here this morning and the coldest it's been while starting the tractor.

I don't have any hydraulic working. I idle it up to operating temp, and still nothing. Loader won't move. Thumb won't operate and the 3 ph drops but won't come up.

Usually when I use it is in the afternoon but this week is coldest yet. It operated fine yesterday afternoon.

I ran the pto while it warmed up. I cut it off and checked the fluid level and it's good, but still felt cold.

Any ideas that this may not be just cold weather problems? I can't even pull it out in the sun with the bucket down. And I got a guy that wants to come at 1 to get a roll of hay.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

SSdoxie · Jan 10, 2015

Walkin Horse said:
I went out just now to load some manure for a guy. It's 15 here this morning and the coldest it's been while starting the tractor.

I don't have any hydraulic working. I idle it up to operating temp, and still nothing. Loader won't move. Thumb won't operate and the 3 ph drops but won't come up.

Usually when I use it is in the afternoon but this week is coldest yet. It operated fine yesterday afternoon.

I ran the pto while it warmed up. I cut it off and checked the fluid level and it's good, but still felt cold.

Any ideas that this may not be just cold weather problems? I can't even pull it out in the sun with the bucket down. And I got a guy that wants to come at 1 to get a roll of hay.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet