Frozen hydraulics !

Madman_Mark · Jan 13, 2004

When the teperature goes down well below freezing the joystick that controls the FEL on my tractor freezes up. It's a 4WD Fiat 55 HP.
Sometimes it slowly raises but won't curl (or sometimes the other way around).
I usually have to put the hair dryer to it for 5 or 10 minutes to get it working.
I'm changing the hydraulic/transmission fluid in it this week, will this end my problem (the fluid in it now has a little moisture in it) ?
I leave the loader raised at night so it doesn't freeze while it's on the ground.
I was told I should always leave it raised overnight during freezing weather, is this true ?
It also slowly lowers on it's own during long periods of time, is that normal (I suspect it is) ?

Henro · Jan 13, 2004

<font color="blue"> I was told I should always leave it raised overnight during freezing weather, is this true ? </font>

I can't help with the control valve question, but myself I would just set the loader down with a branch or 2x4 or old tire under it, for safety reasons. Then it would not freeze to the ground OR be a potential hazard.

The gradual drop over time is normal from what I understand... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

thcri · Jan 13, 2004

I agree with Henro. Leaving a loader in the up position is an accident waiting to happen. I never put anything underneath mine but if you are worried because of the problems you are having the 4 x 4 or old tire works great.

murph

JerryG · Jan 13, 2004

More than likely you have water in the cap that covers the back end of the spool. If you take the cap off to check, be careful, some of them have loose bears that can spill.
As far as raising the loader so that it will not freeze, tilt the bucket blade down, then sit it on the ground. That will accomplish the same thing.

frank_f15 · Jan 13, 2004

i have never had the hydralulics freeze, u must have moisture in it. i never leave any implemet raised, always lower them.

art · Jan 13, 2004

What Jerry said is the most common. On the bottom of the valve or the opposite end from the handles.. They normally have two or more screws attaching them. Condensation builds up in them. The loader should be down.but bucket not flat unless on something.

poorboy · Jan 13, 2004

Mark, I haven't had my loader to freeze but I've got a litttle 2000 ford that the hyd. to the rear arms freeeze in real cold conditions. I figure it has water in there but I never think about it until it gets cold. Then I don't want to change it because it's too cold. But if I raise the forks and stick it into a bale it seems to work the next day but slowly at first. I also try to leave it between a few bales to keep it sort of sheltered. I figure I have a leak and the problems are more frequent when the fluid gets low.

Patrick

Boondox · Jan 14, 2004

Mark -- Minus twenty this morning and I experienced the same very slow bucket curl phenomenon even after letting the tractor warm up for 35 minutes. It wasn't until after 15 minutes of use that things loosened up. And my Super UDT was replaced less than 50 hours ago.

This is the first time I've had this happen, but it's also the first time Clementine was parked outside under the carport in winter. (Usually she's in the garage and the truck is outside, but with the shop being rebuilt the garage is full of tools, my workbench etc.) Can't wait to clear out the bay and put her back inside where it's warmer!

Pete

dirtydan · Jan 15, 2004

I would never leave the bucket up overnight. Less than two weeks ago a guy I worked with must have been trying to do something similar on his skidsteer. As near as we can figure out he caught his pant leg oh the controls getting out and the bucket or arm came down on his head killing him. His daughter only 12 or 13 came out and found him after he didn't come in from clearing snow. Just don't take the chance.

PineRidge · Jan 15, 2004

What a terrible loss of life.
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I agree, whenever I get off my rig I always hit the float to drop the bucket or pallet forks. I also go one step further and lower all weight from the 3-point hitch as well. I'm always concerned about other people's safety around my equipment.