Ford 8n will not lift bush hog when cold?

[Dukefamily5]

My Ford 8n will not lift the bush hog when cold. The hydraulic oil is good as new. Can anyone give me some ideas of where to start?
 

[Bruce (VA)]

See tip # 16.

Post back w/ what you see.
75 Tips

 

[Dukefamily5]

[Bruce (VA)]

Yes.

You're looking for leaks.

Just how cold is it?

What oil is in it?
75 Tips

 

[Dukefamily5]

I did not see any leaks on the inside. The hydraulic oil was over filled.Once I ran the tractor with the cover off the lift went up. Now it took about a minute before it slowly lifted. Any ideas?
 

[Dean]

What do you mean by "[G]ood as new?"

When was the oil last changed?

How cold is cold?

Dean
 

[Bruce (VA)]

[Dukefamily5]

Not good as new its still slugish but it works. It hesitates when you put the lever in the up position. I bought the tractor 6 months ago and the owner said it took 15 min to warm up before the lift would work. The oil is in good condition.
 

[Dukefamily5]

The fluid looks clearish yellow like.

The temp is 28 f
 

[Dukefamily5]

Im not sure about the oil because the previous owner put the oil in last.
 

[Colin King]

I think temperature is your primary culprit. Until the sump warms up, the lift will move more slowly when the oil is thick and cold. I'm sure component wear exacerbates the issue, but just give things time to warm up.

Colin, MN
 

[Bruce (VA)]

Well, given that it has no leaks and it's cold (mind telling us how cold?) that could easily be your problem.

Colin lives in MN.

Colin, what hydraulic fluid do you use?
75 Tips

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Colin, see my question above.
 

[Bruce (VA)]

ok, just saw this.

28* is cold enough to turn some fluid to molasses.

What ever Colin uses in MN, you need to use.
 

[ScoutB]

I switched from molasses to UTF two years ago and my hydraulics respond instantly instead of 15 minutes later. I just plowed with it today and all was well at 10*.