Frozen hydraulics

[LarsT]

I’ve got an 8N with a 3point that won’t raise in the cold. I’ve
had this problem before and it usually works after it runs 5-10
minutes. It wasn’t stored inside this summer and I think there’s
water in the system. I’m going to change the fluid but I can’t
get it in the garage. Any ideas? I’m thinking tarp it and a
sunflower heater but will take suggestions for an easier, less
time consuming, way.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 09:41:56 01/04/21) I ve got an 8N with a 3point that won t raise in the cold. I ve
had this problem before and it usually works after it runs 5-10
minutes. It wasn t stored inside this summer and I think there s
water in the system. I m going to change the fluid but I can t
get it in the garage. Any ideas? I m thinking tarp it and a
sunflower heater but will take suggestions for an easier, less
time consuming, way.

I have had great success with a 135K BTU kerosene construction heater. No tarp needed - set it a few feet from the side of the chassis and fire it up. Even on a frigid day you will have a nicely warmed reservoir of oil in 10-15 minutes. Check your aim - tires really don't like that sort of heat....

TOH

 

[LarsT]

Ok thanks. I do have access to one that I can borrow. I’m
running the UTF, is there something else (lighter) I can use?
It’ll be garaged for the winter so I’ll have the moisture issue
taken care of but it’s still really sluggish below zero. I’m
thinking a synthetic version of UTF or something.

 

[R Geiger]

(quoted from post at 09:01:35 01/04/21) Ok thanks. I do have access to one that I can borrow. I m
running the UTF, is there something else (lighter) I can use?
It ll be garaged for the winter so I ll have the moisture issue
taken care of but it s still really sluggish below zero. I m
thinking a synthetic version of UTF or something.

he utf is what you want, just watch for the water. I find that the biggest way water gets in is from condensation. If I were you I would pull the side round inspection plate and check the oil from time to time for water.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 11:01:35 01/04/21) Ok thanks. I do have access to one that I can borrow. I m
running the UTF, is there something else (lighter) I can use?
It ll be garaged for the winter so I ll have the moisture issue
taken care of but it s still really sluggish below zero. I m
thinking a synthetic version of UTF or something.

Below zero is dam cold for hydraulics. You might want to switch to a low viscosity UTF formulation. Visit your local John Deere dealer and ask for low viscosity Hygard (J20D). The Kubota equivalent is Super UDT2. Both have a viscosity index close to 200. Messicks sells 5 gallon pails of Super UDT2 for $102. I would expect low-vis Hygard to be priced similarly. If you can find Shell Donax TDL ([u:e65fbb8318][b:e65fbb8318]not[/b:e65fbb8318][/u:e65fbb8318] TD) it is a similar product.

TOH