Western snow plow pump Question

[tractorpicker]

Need help , i went to install a pump case heater on my cable over hydraulic older style western pump and the threads on the heater are smaller than the plug hole it's suppose to thread into ,what is the solution?

 

[Fawteen]

First thought would be a bell reducer installed backwards. For example if the hole is 1/2 inch and you need a 3/4 inch connection, get a 1/2x3/4 bell reducer and a 1/2 inch close nipple. Thread the nipple into the pump case, thread the reducer onto the nipple and thread your heater into the 3/4 end of the reducer.

If there's a heating element that is supposed to actually extend into the reservoir, that may not work.

 

[Jim.ME]

From having a couple plows and looking at possibly installing these heaters in the past, I am going to guess you need to get just a 3/8 NPT to 1/4 NPT plain, straight reducing bushing. The ones I looked at were 1/4 NPT male thread and I know some reservoirs had 3/8 NPT drain ports. Beware of the length of the heater (some are shorter than others). When installed it must not touch anything inside.

This post was edited by Jim.ME on 01/10/2022 at 01:53 pm.

 

[Goose]

Have I missed something?

I've had one of those Western plows for over 20 years and I've never known a heater existed for the pump, nor have I ever felt a need for one.

I assume it's to keep the fluid in the pump fluid in cold weather. I've always just run ATF in the pump and it never starts out slow, even in sub zero weather.

 

[Jim.ME]

Heaters can help if someone is having a moisture problem. Annually changing the fluid often helps. I had to change a used one I got several times to get the water out of it. Ice crystals would form and cause the solenoid valves to hang up. ATF used to be the standard but now Fisher and Western, at least, have their own fluids they recommend and there are some substitute aftermarket snowplow fluids as well.

 

[Fawteen]

Doh! Read it backwards.

 

[tractorpicker]

I've replaced the fluid twice and somehow i still get ice build up around screen going to try out a heater sense it's bought and payed for lol.