Slow FEL hydraulics during cold day

[Kernopelli]

Got on the tractor this morning to finish shaving down some steep bank areas around my pond and was very surprised at how slow the hydraulics were on the FEL. The 3PT worked fine from the get-go and the loader worked a little better after running the tractor 15 min or so but the loader hydraulics never got anywhere near its normal warm weather operating speed. It was about 65 degrees here yesterday but dropped down to low 30's today and it made an incredible difference. I am already using the lightest weight oil I could find. Any suggestions on how to heat up the hyd. oil for better flow? I have used the tractor in near 0 degree weather many times and it never seemed to effect the 3PH speed but this is the first winter with the FEL and as slow as it was today, it would be useless at anything much colder. I assume the considerable lengths of exposed hose on the loader may help cool the oil and keep it from warming up. Anybody else ever have this problem and any suggestions on how to deal with it?

 

[Wayne County Hose]

When is the last time you changed your fluid, filters, and cleaned/replaced the suction strainer? You may have condensation in the oil. Or, if the suction strainer is partially clogged, the colder, thicker fluid will not go thru it as easily as warmer fluid. I would start there and see what happens.

 

[Kernopelli]

When is the last time you changed your fluid, filters, and cleaned/replaced the suction strainer? You may have condensation in the oil. Or, if the suction strainer is partially clogged, the colder, thicker fluid will not go thru it as easily as warmer fluid. I would start there and see what happens.

The fluid is pretty fresh, maybe 5-6 weeks since changed last, it looks good and isn't milky or foamed. I haven't checked the suction screen in awhile, I'll do that and see how it looks. Thanks!

 

[john_bud]

What oil are you using?

A multivisc is probably needed. Operating for a while should warm it up, if not, lower visc is needed (or a warmer barn).

jb

 

[Kernopelli]

Well, I was finally able to go out and check the suction filter. There was some visible crud on it but it didn't appear that it was enough to cause any obstruction though. Since it needed some attention I sprayed it down with degreaser and brushed it off then washed it out/off with hot h2o and soap and put it back in. The FEL works great again. It's a little warmer here today (40 degrees) but that's only about 6-8 degrees warmer so I have little doubt it was more the dirty filter than the cold temps causing my problems. Thanks men, I can always count on your good advice here!