Colld weather and hydraulic fluid

[gobraphil]

It is the 20s here this am and my rtv500 is bogging more than usual. I suspect it is the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid but wanted the input of some cold weather posters .

 

[FamilyFarm]

10 here this a.m. Only diesel I have to start this a.m. is a Ford 6 liter : ) I have it plugged in to make it easier, though not necessary. I realize you aren't dealing with a diesel. The hydraulics do need to be warm to function properly. It's hard to be patient sometimes, but I start up, walk away, knowing will be awhile before ready to use. What exactly do you mean by sluggish?
Have a great day. God Bless!
Terry

 

[SPYDERLK]

It is the 20s here this am and my rtv500 is bogging more than usual. I suspect it is the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid but wanted the input of some cold weather posters .

Are you using SUDT? It flows well when cold.
larry

 

[gobraphil]

Just using whatever was in it from the factory

 

[jetsons]

I learned after I bought a new Bobcat 773 skidsteer in 2001 that when it was subzero in South Dakota the machine would start for a split second then die with a beeping alarm. It is a safety built into the machine to protect the hyd pump because the hyd fluid being too cold and thick was hard on the pump. I now just plug in the block heater and still put a space heater on it for a couple of hours before I move snow. I wondered about these hydraulic utvs and very cold weather, I know its not an issue once there warmed up a bit. John

 

[learstroker]

I have gone to the Kubota Premium fluid. It is made in Canada. It has a higher viscosity index than SUDT. It is not SUDT re-branded. It smell different also. It is a fully synthetic oil. SUDT is not. It performs notably better in extreme cold. I am in -20 to -30 F now. The RTV 1100 is like a new machine.

 

[timswi]

Same thing here...Pull it outside and let it idle for 10 minutes or so and it'll be fine...That little gas engine and the hyd fluid need to be near operating temp to perform well.

 

[gobraphil]

are there any instructions for replacing the engine oil and hydraulic fluid posted anywhere?

 

[timswi]

are there any instructions for replacing the engine oil and hydraulic fluid posted anywhere?

Follow the instructions in the owners manual, or don't you have one?

 

[bp fick]

are there any instructions for replacing the engine oil and hydraulic fluid posted anywhere?

Messicks.com have a fantastic photo show, offering great pictures and step by step instructions on doing the service.

Highly recommend for those who find this stuff a bit confusing.