Cold leak down.

[atk_man]

The temperature has dropped here lately and I've noticed something on my '79 b7100. What I usually do before I start working is get the tractor running, then back it out of the barn (about 20 feet or so) to let it warm up. What I noticed the other day is that when I lift the FEL after starting it cold, it was very slow to move. Also, once I stopped lifting, it dropped as fast as it lifted about half as far as it lifted. After going up and down like this a few times (and warming up) it stopped dropping and started moving faster again. Once warm, the FEL is solid as a rock, it never dropped.

Is this normal for an older unit? It only has about 525 hours. The lift rams do "weep" a bit. Also, I had just topped up the fluid (maybe a bit too much because some blew out when it warmed up)

Is this a function of temperature (it was about 32 degF) or air or water or seals?

Any Ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Henry.

 

[Thomas]

Never had that problem w/my B7100 w/FEL...yet.I let mine warm a good 10min at 1/3 throttle,than raise the FEL 5 or 6 times also rotate the bucket 5 or 6 times be for engaging transmission....also I plug in the block heat hours before use.Warm hyd fluid easier on transmisson..filters..etc...

 

[kubmech]

Henry, sounds like the cylinder seals are a little worn, but if everything is "solid" once it's warmed up good I would'nt sweat it too much. The colder temps are just "anouncing" the problem. Probably would'nt hurt to have the boom (loader lift) cylinders repacked in the future.