Replies

1. 
   Buckslayer | Jan 24, 2007 01:11am | #1

   I have a little experience with hydraulics and cold weather.  Sometimes when the hyd oil is cold, the pump will "chatter" due to the oil not passing thru the pump correctly.  If this problem persists, you can damage the seals in the pump. 

   I use straight 30 wt. synthetic motor oil in the hyd. systems when it is cold (10d or below) for any expected lenght of time.   Introduction of 30wt to your hyd oil should not damage anything and may take care of the chatter.

   When you changed the oil last time, did you notice any bright blue specs of plastic in the oil....the seals in hydro systems are often blue.  If so, call your dealer for a new pump.

1. 
   netanyahu | Jan 24, 2007 02:46am | #2

   The fluid looked fine, a little dark, but otherwise fine.  I use fisher's special cold-weather fluid

2. 
   BossHog | Jan 24, 2007 02:48am | #3

   My first thought is a loose belt on the hydraulic pump.

   Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress. [Gandhi]

1. 
   Catskinner | Jan 24, 2007 02:54am | #4

   <<Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress.>>Then half of The Tavern is going forward and the other half is going backwards. <G>

3. 
   scotty | Jan 24, 2007 03:38am | #5

   if belt driven;and not electric;definately start at the belt!!!

1. 
   netanyahu | Jan 25, 2007 12:31am | #7

   electric hydraulics, so no belt, thanks though

1. 
   IMERC | Jan 25, 2007 12:35am | #8

   directional valve is sticking...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   jcurrier | Jan 25, 2007 01:23am | #9

   Sometimes (this just happened to me this weekend) if your plow sits out for a while you can get a little condensation in the oil, if that freezes and blocks your lines or pump you can loose the power.  Try adding fluid and be sure to bleed the lines over and over until you are sure there is no air in them.

   Good luck- hope you get it fixed befor the next big storm!

    

4. 
   GUNN308 | Jan 24, 2007 07:48am | #6

   Call Rockland they might be able to give you an answer right over the phone. They have helped me before.

5. 
   BoJangles | Jan 25, 2007 01:57am | #10

   (I thought you were the guy from Israel at first)....When I first read your post, I thought for sure you had a belt driven pump.  Your symptoms are usually caused by water (ice) in the system, but it sounds like you may have taken care of that.

   Is your plow stored outside?

   That noise you hear is probably either the oil not flowing because of ice or the relief valves squealing because the plow can't move.  The most common cause of that is the packing nuts at the front end of the hydraulic cylinders.  Sometimes these are set too tight at the factory and will literally lock up the cylinders when they are cold.

   If they are too tight, the relief valves will pass fluid before the plow will want to turn.  I have some plows that do this almost every time I don't use them for awhile.  I just go out and put the corner against something solid and hit the angle button.  As soon as you use the plow for awhile and warm everything up, it works fine.

   You could try backing off the packing nuts a little and see if it helps.  I am betting that it will.  Just watch that you don't back them off too much and cause a leak.

1. 
   netanyahu | Jan 26, 2007 01:05am | #11

   Thank you all for your suggestions.  I took it to the dealer today and it turns out the motor had gone bad.  It's fixed now!

2. 
   netanyahu | Jan 26, 2007 01:06am | #12

   As for Israeli, no.  My name is Ben and Netanyahu is the nickname I got from my first job super when I was 16.  It kinda stuck! 

1. 
   BoJangles | Jan 26, 2007 02:30am | #13

   Glad to hear you are back on the road!  Do you have any snow to plow this year?