Frozen 3 pt. hitich

[teach]

Has anyone had a 3 pt. hitch freeze on them? My 1983 B7100 appears to have a frozen 3 pt hitch. It works fine when it is above freezing, but last few days the temp. dropped into the teens and hasn't been above freezing during the day for a few days now. The tractor is kept outside, but is covered with a tarp. I have had the machine for over 3 years now and this is the first time this ever happened.
Teach

 

[m7040]

check for water in the hydraulic system, Open the drain plug a little after it has sat idle for a while and see if water comes out

 

[teach]

Thanks for the info. but...how will that work if it is still frozen? We haven't seen above freezing temps in two weeks and it doesn't look like it will warm up any time soon.
Teach

 

[Sully2]

How long has the fluid been in it??? And when it was last changed..??...was the PROPER fluid put back in it? "Freezing" is either caused by water in it..or the fluid itself is so "thick" at low temps its not flowing.

If it requires any sort of servicing...you'll have to get it into a heated garage

 

[638]

What is frozen about it, won't raise, or won't drop???

ron

 

[teach]

ron,
It won't raise. I let the tractor warm up (though it is outside) for about 25 minutes and the 3 pt. still wouldn't raise. It happened once before, about a month ago, and a couple of days later when the temps. got up into the 40's it went right up! Unfortunately, I don't have a garage (not for at least two more years anyway) to work on it in. I have never changed the fluid, so not sure if its that or if its frozen, though I thought they were pretty sealed against water getting in. The rear PTO wouldn't shift in and engage either. Thanks for help.
Teach

 

[c-and-a]

I realize this may be a simple question - but is the fluid level where it needs to be?

I have a BX2350 that had problems with the cold weather, and the fluid was low - once I topped it off, and let it run and warm up - problem solved...

It is a new tractor (August), and as I learned on TBN - once you run a new unit, the fluid level drops based on filling all the nooks & crannies - I have added 1.5 quarts, but now the fluid level has stabilized...

Just sharing - as I am experiencing the same weather as you are...not too far apart...

 

[638]

Just letting it run for 25 min really didn't warm up the hydraulic oil that much. Try letting the engine warm up a little and then drive it around for a while. Run it in low range, and go slow at first to allow the oil to get loosened up a little.

ron

 

[charlz]

Is it gear or Hydro? If it is gear and you are running gear oil (80w or so) it is probably just really really thick. What happens when you try to raise the 3pt? i.e. what sound does it make?


Charles

 

[teach]

The fluid level looked fine, but thanks for the idea. The tractor is a std shift. It doesn't make any noise when I try to raise it. The shift lever moves as it should, but absolutely nothing happens. No movement in the hitch, no noise either. I appreciate everyone's help, you guys are the best!
Teach

 

[638]

Sorry, I thought that it was a HST

ron

 

[Thomas]

By chance does your B7100 have black knob w/arrow on top on the right side just under seat?...if so you might want to turn the knob handful of times,for some gunk maybe pluging against the valve set....Not sure if you have hyd. filter,if so that could also be plug solid...The lever which operates the 3pt hitch,on the rod is there adjustment clip of some sort that may have loosen..clip for 3pt setting.

 

[charlz]

Are you running gear oil or UDT/SUDT in the gearbox? I have run my tractor in twenty degree weather only a few times. The 3pt has been real sluggish but gets much better once I start moving the tractor around. I run 80w gear oil. One thing I do is engage the pto and let it run (no pto implement on) while the tractor warms up to help 'stir' the tranny fluid.

I wouldn't think the 3pt speed bolt/knob comes into play while raising the 3pt but maybe and the oil is thick enough for it to restrict more than usual.

You may have water in the system that is causing an ice blockage, likely in the two hyd lines that run up the left side to the pump on the side of the engine.

Charles