Hydraulic Whine in cold weather.
- Thread starter stihl sawing
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wdchuck
Addicted to ArboristSite
Got 'im.
The whine that goes away after 10 minutes is telling you alot, that the oil needs to be warmed up a bit more before you start the machine.
I warm my splitter tank up with some kind of heater, be it a dipstick or magnetic or salamander or halogen light with tarp over it to contain any heat until the oil drips easily off the tank dipstick. Then start the engine and let it run for 5 minutes to circulate that warmed oil through the lines.
Speeco 25ton, 5yrs old and used during 5-20*F temps more than any other.
I'll be getting some thinner fluid for it next time at the farm store.
The whine that goes away after 10 minutes is telling you alot, that the oil needs to be warmed up a bit more before you start the machine.
I warm my splitter tank up with some kind of heater, be it a dipstick or magnetic or salamander or halogen light with tarp over it to contain any heat until the oil drips easily off the tank dipstick. Then start the engine and let it run for 5 minutes to circulate that warmed oil through the lines.
Speeco 25ton, 5yrs old and used during 5-20*F temps more than any other.
I'll be getting some thinner fluid for it next time at the farm store.
atvguns
Addicted to ArboristSite
My tractor does the whiney thing in cold weather helps some to change the filter often. if the filter on you splitter is on the suction side you might try changing the filter if you havent done it in a while, your splitter should warm the fluid without moving the ram that fluid is curculating all the time wheather the ram is moving or not
logging22
Cuttin to live, livin to cut
Yep.
Well, I ain't got a heater like that, Guess i could get some thinner fluid. That's gonna be a pain though. Guess it's better than burning up the system. I just need to split about three cords. Would a heatlamp work if placed close facing the tank. The tank is big though.
wdchuck
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yes. Try to put a blanket or something to hold in any heat you produce so it all goes to heating the tank as soon as possible. Also, put a piece of cardboard or plywood on the floor or ground before you start heating with the lamp as the ground will draw the heat away. Heat goes to cold regardless of direction.
I've used a 500watt halogen worklight, although its slower, it made a positive difference after a couple hours.
Where can you get these dipstick heaters you guys are talkin about, That sounds like the solution to me.
atvguns
Addicted to ArboristSite
drain all the fluid into a metal bucket place it ontop of your stove when it reaches 78.683 deg. pour it back into the splitter and start splitting :hmm3grin2orange:
redheadwoodshed
Freebird
whining hydraulics
Yes, damage is being done,even at idle because fluid is still circulating through your pump.This is a longterm problem, really, but if you want to fix it you have to reduce the viscosity of the fluid so it can flood the pump suction.And it really makes no difference what kind of pump, you never want your pump to starve.A good operating temp for hydraulic fluid is about 100 degrees F. Absolutely not over 180.If you don't want to change your fluid maybe you could use a dipstick heater or maybe keep a light bulb under the resovoir the night before you use your splitter.These splitters and their components are expensive so every little thing you can do to make them last longer and run stronger is worth it. Thank you for your welcome.I really like hydraulics, they make really good machines that save a LOT of time.
Yes, damage is being done,even at idle because fluid is still circulating through your pump.This is a longterm problem, really, but if you want to fix it you have to reduce the viscosity of the fluid so it can flood the pump suction.And it really makes no difference what kind of pump, you never want your pump to starve.A good operating temp for hydraulic fluid is about 100 degrees F. Absolutely not over 180.If you don't want to change your fluid maybe you could use a dipstick heater or maybe keep a light bulb under the resovoir the night before you use your splitter.These splitters and their components are expensive so every little thing you can do to make them last longer and run stronger is worth it. Thank you for your welcome.I really like hydraulics, they make really good machines that save a LOT of time.
Thanks, i will try that tommorrow. I have an old heat lamp. The thing gets really hot.
outdoorlivin247
Addicted to ArboristSite
Most dipstick or block heaters are only 100 to 300 watts....So I would guess a heatlamp would be more than sufficient to get the oil flowing faster...
atvguns
Addicted to ArboristSite
All jocking aside why couldn't you slide a pan of hot ashes under the tank works on ford trucks to get them started. you got to be careful make sure you don't have a gas leak, buddy found that out the hard way
That could be doable too, I'm gonna check out the dipstick heater though.
It's got a hose going under it.
outdoorlivin247
Addicted to ArboristSite
Check your local NAPA store for magnetic heaters also...
Be careful some ATF has friction modifiers and not good for hyd pumps.
I changed my whining dodge PS pump fluid to synthetic, quiet now.
And what are you doing working in the cold????:hmm3grin2orange:
I changed my whining dodge PS pump fluid to synthetic, quiet now.
And what are you doing working in the cold????:hmm3grin2orange:
That would work too, The tank is metal.
LOL, I can't put this big stuff in the new stove and it will be too rotten to wait till warm weather to split it then burn it the following year.
dingeryote
Blueberry Baron
SS.
2-4 quarts of plain old ATF should shut it up.
Just gotta thin the hydro down a smidge.
Mine did the same thing when it got down to around 20 the first time.
couple quarts of ATF did the trick and it's good down to -10 without heating it.
One thing though, swap out the filter just in case.
It's at the lowest point and might very well have some ice in it.
Stay safe!
Dingeryote
