Plugging in your tractor

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sorry for the novice followup, but how does one warm up their transmission fluid? Just by idling the engine for a bit? Or do you guys have heaters for them too?

Just let it run for a bit, no trans heater.

 

[Clover13]

Just let it run for a bit, no trans heater.

Thanks North Idaho Wolfman!

 

[torch]

Like Wolfman said, most people let friction warm the hydro fluid.

That said, I suppose it would be possible to use a magnetic or possibly a dipstick heater. I wonder if there would be any benefit?

 

[torch]

I wonder if there would be any benefit?

Googleing to answer that question produced an article claiming (without evidence backing it up) that:
"Research has shown that a restricted intake can reduce the service life of a gear pump by 56 percent".

Both the HST charge pump and the main hydraulic pump draw through a strainer. The main pump flows oil at all times when the engine is running although I believe the HST pump is disengaged with the clutch. It stands to reason that cold oil won't flow through the strainer as readily as warm oil.

So if the above is true, then it's possible that warming the transmission oil with some sort of heater before starting the tractor would reduce wear and tear on the pumps. It's also possible that the HST charge pump life could be extended by keeping the clutch disengaged until the oil has warmed.

The other thought that occurs to me is that the hydraulic oil filter probably has an internal relief valve so that the filter media is bypassed when plugged. So it's possible that unfiltered oil might be bypassing the filter and reaching the HST motor until it's warmed up enough to pass through the media. That's probably less of an issue with hydraulic oil than motor oil though -- motor oil is exposed to far more contaminants.

So, yeah, to answer my own question: It might extend hydraulic system life to install some sort of transmission heater if the tractor is regularly started in cold weather. It's probably even more important to use a high-quality synthetic hydraulic oil.

 

[JWool]

I saw this post and decided to try the Wemo outlets. I’m glad yours work, however I wasted 4 hours of my time trying unsuccessfully to set mine up. Some of the mfg “tech tips” were entertaining though!
Not looking for tech suggestions...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

They are a little tricky to get connected the first time, but once connected, they work great, always remembers the connect info even if you relocate it.
I have 7 different wemo devices all working good.

 

[skeets]

My take is fire the beastup go back in have another cup of coffee and a doughnut put your boots back on jacket and head out,,,She will be warm and ready to go

 

[fruitcakesa]

My take is fire the beastup go back in have another cup of coffee and a doughnut put your boots back on jacket and head out,,,She will be warm and ready to go

/\/\/\Warm trans, cab & tummy

 

[D2Cat]

Skeets, as slow as you are your tractor may be out of fuel when you come out ('cause you didn't stop at one donut)!