L3830 cold weather hydraulic issues

[LivelyKubota]

L3830 Hydraulic issues-
Hi all, I've got a l3830 HST with 3000 hrs that is having hydraulic issues at cold temperatures. Below about 15 it would start fine, but there would be a sort of rattle from the transmission area. The FEL, 3pt, and steering wouldn't really work. They would try to move a little, but just basically groan. It would move forward and backward just fine, just no FEL, steering, or 3pt until it warmed up.

Now today, it was -10 last night, 6 now. I had a magnet block heater on the transmission all night. I started to up, same thing, but after a couple minutes the rattle went away and there is no hydraulic response whatsoever, no groaning or anything. The tractor also won't go forward or backward. I turned the pto just to spin things in the transmission to warm it up. It seemed to spin for a bit, then just kind of comes and goes.

So my question is.... is the hydraulic pump toast? I read something that the a coupling/ gear goes bad. Could the rattle have been the gears slipping with cold fluid until it warmed up? Now the gears are toast?

I'm also curious how the hydraulic system works. The hydraulic pump near the injector pump runs the FEL, 3pt, and PS. On a hst, does it also run all the transmission stuff? I'm asking because nothing seems to be working now, no FEL, PS, 3pt, forward, backward, pto...

I bought this tractor in the spring, and its been awesome all summer, but Im not certain of the previous owner used kubots fluid or not. I'm assuming changing it wouldn't hurt, but there are probably larger issues involved?

Thanks for any help or insight

 

[Jim L.]

Symptoms described match water in the system turning to ice. Running with ice can cause significant problems.

I would get it enclosed and use heater(s) to get the whole machine above freezing. Then inspect hydraulic connections and filters for any damage or water. Replace hydraulic filters and oil with what the book says to use.

The larger issue is that trying to run the machine now can extend further damage.

 

[LivelyKubota]

Symptoms described match water in the system turning to ice. Running with ice can cause significant problems.

I would get it enclosed and use heater(s) to get the whole machine above freezing. Then inspect hydraulic connections and filters for any damage or water. Replace hydraulic filters and oil with what the book says to use.

The larger issue is that trying to run the machine now can extend further damage.

Thank you. I'm gonna try to get it thawed out and hopefully it will be ok, I'll just change the fluids.

 

[Russell King]

I suggest you use SUDT2 due to the low temperatures your tractor sees.

I know the implement pump is separate from the transmission pump in some tractors. Other use the pump as a pre-charge pump (I think).

The pumps all use the same fluid from the transmission sump though.

 

[dhoff]

Thank you. I'm gonna try to get it thawed out and hopefully it will be ok, I'll just change the fluids.

I am dealing with the exact same thing with my L3010. Same noises, same symptoms, etc. I believe mine entered after using my 3point hydraulic log splitter that sits outside all the time. Countless research, but appears the drain, and flush or multiple flushes is the only solution for removing water. I am going to attempt to drain all my fluid, heat it to evaporate as much of the moisture as possible, and repeat it multiple times as needed. My fluid is only 1.5 years old so I am not buying new fluid before trying this.

Found this on another forum. Good info. Good luck!
How do you remove water from hydraulic fluid? | Sealing & Contamination Control Tips

 

[TheOldHokie]

I am dealing with the exact same thing with my L3010. Same noises, same symptoms, etc. I believe mine entered after using my 3point hydraulic log splitter that sits outside all the time. Countless research, but appears the drain, and flush or multiple flushes is the only solution for removing water. I am going to attempt to drain all my fluid, heat it to evaporate as much of the moisture as possible, and repeat it multiple times as needed. My fluid is only 1.5 years old so I am not buying new fluid before trying this.

Found this on another forum. Good info. Good luck!
How do you remove water from hydraulic fluid? | Sealing & Contamination Control Tips

If its contaminated you wont fix it. At extremely low temps you need a low viscosity hydraulic oil. What is your outside temp and what oil do you have in it now?

Dan

 

[dhoff]

If its contaminated you wont fix it. At extremely low temps you need a low viscosity hydraulic oil. What is your outside temp and what oil do you have in it now?

Dan

20F-40Fs during the daytime, teens at night. (Been super cold recently) I used the super UDT2. Replaced hydro fluid and filters about 50-100 hours. I will wait till March and at least give it a shot. Worst case scenario I have to replace all fluid anyways so might as well drain it and see how it goes. I will also store it in my barn at all times from now on.

 

[TheOldHokie]

20F-40Fs during the daytime, teens at night. (Been super cold recently) I used the super UDT2. Replaced hydro fluid and filters about 50-100 hours. I will wait till March and at least give it a shot. Worst case scenario I have to replace all fluid anyways so might as well drain it and see how it goes. I will also store it in my barn at all times from now on.

Thats not very cold. I would drain a quart or so of that oil for a visual inspection. If it has enough free water in it to form ice you will know just by looking at it.

Dan

 

[LivelyKubota]

Last night I tarped it and warmed it up. I got it to the point where it was back to at least trying to do all functions, so hopefully I've avoided damage.
Ill get it completely thawed out, started and warmed up, then change the oil and filters.
Am I probably gonna have to do this a few times to get the moisture out?
Should I put cheap fluid in it, run it for 10 minutes, then drain and add the sudt2?

Thank you

 

[TheOldHokie]

Last night I tarped it and warmed it up. I got it to the point where it was back to at least trying to do all functions, so hopefully I've avoided damage.
Ill get it completely thawed out, started and warmed up, then change the oil and filters.
Am I probably gonna have to do this a few times to get the moisture out?
Hro I put cheap fluid in it, run it for 10 minutes, then drain and add the sudt2?

Thank you

I would sample the oil before throwung money around.

Dan

 

[LivelyKubota]

I would sample the oil before throwung money around.

Dan

What do you mean?
If I drain it and it doesnt look too bad, just fill it up with sudt2?
If I drain it and its super milky do a flush or two with cheaper oil?

Thanks

 

[BAP]

At the temperature we are having in New England right now, the only way you are going to get ALL the Ice out of it IF there is any, is to put it in a heated building for at least 24 hours. It takes a long time, long time to get all that steel heated up enough to completely melt out any ice.

 

[dhoff]

Thats not very cold. I would drain a quart or so of that oil for a visual inspection. If it has enough free water in it to form ice you will know just by looking at it.

Dan

Oh it def has water in it. I cracked one of the filters open to drain a sample and came out milky and frothy.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Oh it def has water in it. I cracked one of the filters open to drain a sample and came out milky and frothy.

Then its drain, flush, and refill time. If its that badly contaminated I would do at least one flush with a low cost UTF before refilling with pricey SUDT2.

Dan

 

[LivelyKubota]

I got the tractor thawed out and its running/ operating fine, but only 0 degrees outside.
It's Sunday, so I can't get any kubota fikters/ fluid until at least tomorrow.
Gonna try to just get it warmed up and start it every couple hours to keep it from freezing up again

 

[TheOldHokie]

I got the tractor thawed out and its running/ operating fine, but only 0 degrees outside.
It's Sunday, so I can't get any kubota fikters/ fluid until at least tomorrow.
Gonna try to just get it warmed up and start it every couple hours to keep it from freezing up again

Go to a local TSC, Rural King, Farm &Fleet or similar and get enough cheap UTF to replace the crontaminated crap thats in there. Count it as your first flush.

Dan

 

[LivelyKubota]

Go to a local TSC, Rural King, Farm &Fleet or similar and get enough cheap UTF to replace the crontaminated crap thats in there. Count it as your first flush.

Dan

Would you replace the filters on that first flush, or wait until I put the good stuff in?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Would you replace the filters on that first flush, or wait until I put the good stuff in?

Not at the price Kubota charges for filters.

Dan