806 power steering issues

My dad's 806 power steering acts up in the winter. In the past it seems to be due to moisture in the system and iced up filter (common from what I've read here). Operates fine in the summer batwinging, etc. Usually the issues will "go away" once the tractor is warmed up and the steering cycled for a while.

Putting out hay the other day it started acting up again and the transmission would cut in & out too, which is new. From what I can read it sounds like the first step is overfilling by 5 gallons after I replace the filter again and drain any water out of the bottom. If that doesn't work we'll dive into the pump.

Am I approaching this in the correct order?

Tractor has a front end loader and to be honest, it was dark when I was messing with it and could not really tell the hydraulic level. I'll check that first while it's cold.

Thanks,

The 5 gallon tactic is a great way to start. The extra covers the suction leak with oil and thus both keeps it going, and effectively "repairs" the problem. Jim

I'll give that a try and report back.
Many thanks,

I can tell ya this , that once you get contaminated hyd. oil through out the system HUSTON you have a problem . SOOOoooo lets start by draining ALL the system and pull all FIVE plugs under the tractor and let it drip dry out . I am talking the three under the speed range and rear end and the ones under the finals . Replace the filter and refill . Then ya start the tractor and up under the left ft. down below the left frame rail crack the steering lines and let them flush out till ya have clear clean oil. Then top off to level and then add five over . Is this a cureall Nope not in the least bit , it is a bandaid . Ya got to remember that this tractor has had extensive field testing over the years and is going to need some serious work. A new MCV pump and a MCV rebuilt with new spring kit will help , then there is that pesty O/Ring , yea that maybe leaking but what about the one on the suction tube in the pickup. Keep in mind that they are getting old and they work as about as well as i do in COLD weather . The best thing for a tractor that is used each and everyday for short periods of time is keep them in a warm shed . If you are like we are in the winter the tractor gets run for a short time then it is shut off and put in a COLD shed , this is why you build moisture and have problems . Your problem is probably iceing in the filter and shutting off oil flow to the MCV and this is causing the pressure drop to the steering and T/A . It would not take much of a shed to keep one or two tractors in and keep heat on them at around 60 degrees.

I agree. It sits in an unheated barn. Gets started about once a week in the winter to put out a few roll bales but I plug it in first and it gets to operating temp before I shut her down. But it still could have water in the filter.

Been sitting for 3 days, I pulled the plugs and got good fluid, no sign of water or milk. The year before we drained the whole system and refilled. Maybe has 50 hours a year?

I'm sure she's ready for a new MCV. Would like to limp her the rest of the way through winter though.

The stick level shows about 1.25" above full. How far up the stick should it be for the 5 gallon overfill? I'd like to try that first and see if it gets us to warmer weather and between feeding and batwinging.

That's for all the advice.

You are far enough over , i would put a new filter in it . The condensation comes from being warmed up on the inside and really not getting it up to operating temp on the hyd.'s oil so it really never cooks out the moisture but it does get trapped in the filter and when it cools down ICE forms and the filter is plugged with ice then the bypass screen starts to cover over with ice crystals and ya starve the system. Just because the engine is warm does not mean the transmission and rear end is warmed up that much Ya have around 18 plus gallon of COLD oil to try and warm up to 160-180 degrees , that takes some doing .

Good point on the hydraulics still being cool/cold. I'll pull the filter and see.

Thanks,

So will the filter trap the water or does it stay in solution? Or does it trap it only when below freezing?