Hydraulics don't work!!

[jsnitz]

Hydraulics don\'t work!!

Went to plow some snow this morning and the Hydraulics don't work at all - neither the front loader nor the HPL. The HPL dropped OK, but would not raise. Tractor is a Ford 1710 - with a front loader and 2,000 hours. Everything was working fine when I used it about 4 weeks ago. Maybe something related to the past week of sub-zero weather? (Upstate NY.) Tractor started OK and I did not notice any strange noises. Pulled the dipstick - OK on oil level.

Any ideas?

 

[slowrev]

Re: Hydraulics don\'t work!!

Perhaps some water is in the system and froze up.

 

[JerryG]

Re: Hydraulics don\'t work!!

Check all of your quick disconnects. Sounds like one of them may be disconnected or at least not seated the way it should be. They may look fine, but you may have to unhook them and reconnect.

 

[JDgreen227]

Re: Hydraulics don\'t work!!

I am not too informed about the 1710, but am wondering if yours has P/S...does the steering get boost from your hydraulic pump? On many tractors half the pump supplies the steering assist and the other half runs the hydraulics. Might be a dumb question but it's a possibility only half your pump is operational. Maybe this will narrow the problem down.

 

[Youare]

Re: Hydraulics don\'t work!!

My money would be on some water frozen in the hydraulic circuit. I've seen this happen with a 1710 after it set in zero degree weather for a few days.

Providing there are no strange noises coming from the hyrdaulic pump letting it warm up for a while should take care of the problem. On many of the 1710's the power for the steering is the same pump as the FEL hydraulics.

The oil in the transmission runs all the hydraulic functions. It is very easy to get condensation in the gear box which is enough to freeze things up when the weather gets as cold as it has been lately.

Changing the transmission oil in the fall can help prevent winter troubles.

Randy

 

[jsnitz]

Re: Hydraulics don\'t work!!

Thanks - took advantage of the warm weather on Sunday and did just what you suggested. Got a heater and some tarps to warm her up. After a few hours, got the HPL to move, then did a little plowing and finally everything else loosened up, too. Next year absolutely will change oil going into the winter! Saw somebody else suggesting a magnetic heater for the tranny as well as the oil pan - may try that, too.