YM1610D Problems

[Mech]

I just bought a 1610d and wanted to see if anyone has cold weather experience with them so that I know if what I'm experiencing is normal.

I leave the tractor outside and even with temperatures in the mid 20's it won't start and when I do get it started the hydraulics take up to an hour before they work. I replaced the TS unit last night and this morning it started at about 30 degrees but no hydraulics. I had to get to work and didn't have time to see how long it would take for them to work.

Something not cold related the range selector seems to feel engaged in a number of positions other than C, N, 1, 2, and 3 but is actually between gears. You have to hunt a bit to find a range and then it is difficult to know what range you are in.

I appreciate any answers you can give me.

 

[mark777]

Hello Mech and Welcome!

How long have you had your tractor?

I can offer a few suggestions. The first concerning your hydraulics is to make sure your implement lock (between you knees and under the seat) is fully counter clockwise. Second and most often, drain the transmission (use a large 5 gallon bucket) follow the large suction line on your hydraulic return line, remove the filter screen and clean thoroughly with gas, diesel or carb-choke cleaner and replace filter. Make certain you replace you trans/hydraulic fluid with JD-303 or equivalent.

Hard starting is sometimes caused by fuel filter debris and moisture. I would replace the filter, add fresh fuel and bleed the system to purge all air and bubbles. You might consider Power Service Cetane fuel additive which aids in starting and cleans the fuel system.

Often the detent spring is either misaligned, weak or missing. If you remove the shift cover you should see a spring pulling against the shift gate....it it's not there it is not too difficult to see where it belongs.

Hopefully others will chime in and add more options.

Good luck

 

[normde2001]

I would start by replacing the transmission fluid with hi/tran = to or better than JD303 and clean the pickup screen. The range selector has a spring loaded ball that falls into a detent for each gear. Possibly that is frozen up or the spring is broken. You would need to remove the cover to inspect. If you leave the tractor outside you WILL eventually get water contamination in the trans and/or crankcase.

You type faster than I do, Mark .

 

[Mech]

Thanks you guys are great.

I got the tractor on Monday.

The implement lock is fully open.

I will look at the detent spring tonight. I have to go in there to get the wiring to the work light I added working anyway. I have an open somewhere under that cover.

The hydraulic fluid, fuel, and fuel filter and glass are new. The dealer says that he cleaned the hydraulic filter.

I've just written the dealer an email to see what type of hydraulic fluid they put in but it is supposed to be the lightest allowed.

I will get some Cetane fuel additive.

The dealer is telling me that hard starting and hydraulics taking time to warm up in the cold are expected behavior and I wanted to get another opinion. I have a tarp and block heaters and can displace a car and park it inside but I wanted to see what the tractor can live with. I live at 8600 feet and wondered if the altitude could have something to do with the starting problem. I bought the tractor to snow plow my drive and having it not start and have to run for an hour before I can lift the FEL and blade makes it not very useful.

Thanks,

 

[normde2001]

"The dealer is telling me that hard starting and hydraulics taking time to warm up in the cold are expected behavior "

It should take no longer for the hydraulics to become functional in cold weather than it does for the automatic transmission in your car. What do you mean by hard starting? Is the engine turning fast enough? A battery loses 1/2 it's cranking amps below freezing. You should have the highest cca battery that will fit. Is the thermostart working properly?

 

[Mech]

It is a new battery and cranks really well. In fact I have horrible abused the battery and starter to get it started Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The TS wasn't working (heating element was an open) but the dealer overnighted a new one and I replaced it last night and it is now working and the engine did start in mid 20 deg weather this morning using the TS. The hydraulics however did not work. So if it is reasonable to have to use the TS in mid 20 deg weather then that problem is fixed. The tractor works very well once it is warmed up.

 

[Mech]

Found this on a Yahoo group:

Re: sluggish hydraulics
I have a 1610D and a 2620D each with a loader.
The hydraulics on the 1610D work right away even at
-15F. When it is below zero the 2620D takes abour 5
minutes of warm up before anything hydraulic will move at
all. They have the same JD303 compable oil in
them.<br><br>Bruce

Anyone here with personal cold weather hydraulic experience with the 1610D?

thanks,

bob

 

[normde2001]

I can only suggest, again, that you change the fluid. I suspect there is water in there that is freezing and plugging the screen. Will the tractor move normally before it warms up? If you store your tractor outside, you WILL get water in the crankcase and/or transmission. (I would at least drain some out and see if there is water in it).

 

[Kays Supply]

I had another brand tractor that the hydraulics worked fine in cold weather with the OEM "Red" fluid. After I put the JD 303 in it acted just as you describe. It had a high pitch sound until it warmed up and all the hydraulics were very slow, even in moderate cold.

 

[Roonabeck]

Anyone here with personal cold weather hydraulic experience with the 1610D?

My 1510 hydraulics worked immediately in 30 deg weather last week. The pump is running as soon as the engine is cranking, so there shouldn't be any delay...