Ford 8n will not lift bush hog when cold?

My Ford 8n will not lift the bush hog when cold. The hydraulic oil is good as new. Can anyone give me some ideas of where to start?
 

I did not see any leaks on the inside. The hydraulic oil was over filled.Once I ran the tractor with the cover off the lift went up. Now it took about a minute before it slowly lifted. Any ideas?
 
What do you mean by "[G]ood as new?"

When was the oil last changed?

How cold is cold?

Dean
 
(quoted from post at 13:45:40 01/03/18)
I did not see any leaks on the inside. The hydraulic oil was over filled.Once I ran the tractor with the cover off the lift went up. Now it took about a minute before it slowly lifted. Any ideas?

We really need you to be a bit more specific in your answers.

As Dean & I asked:

Just how cold is it?

What oil is in it?

How old is the oil?

Over filled is not good. See tip # 4. And the "over fill" could be water.

What color is the fluid?
 

Not good as new its still slugish but it works. It hesitates when you put the lever in the up position. I bought the tractor 6 months ago and the owner said it took 15 min to warm up before the lift would work. The oil is in good condition.
 
I think temperature is your primary culprit. Until the sump warms up, the lift will move more slowly when the oil is thick and cold. I'm sure component wear exacerbates the issue, but just give things time to warm up.

Colin, MN
 
Well, given that it has no leaks and it's cold (mind telling us how cold?) that could easily be your problem.

Colin lives in MN.

Colin, what hydraulic fluid do you use?
75 Tips
 
ok, just saw this.

28* is cold enough to turn some fluid to molasses.

What ever Colin uses in MN, you need to use.
 

I switched from molasses to UTF two years ago and my hydraulics respond instantly instead of 15 minutes later. I just plowed with it today and all was well at 10*.
 
(quoted from post at 18:33:49 01/03/18)
I switched from molasses to UTF two years ago and my hydraulics respond instantly instead of 15 minutes later. I just plowed with it today and all was well at 10*.

Scott what spec of UTF did you use?
 
I had same concern went to Tractor Supply and got
Traveller Ford Tractor All Mineral 90 Transmission Fluid
drained and refilled works great
 
Hi Bruce,

My 8N has 90wt and once the temperatures are below freezing, the lift will operate slowly until the oil warms up. It seems that it can take as much as 30 minutes to get things operating well. The lift on my 961 with universal tractor fluid operates better in colder temperatures.

Just as a side note, last week it was so cold here that even the hydraulics on the neighbor's Bobcat wouldn't work.

Colin, MN
 
Hi, Does anyone know what the lifting capacity is one the 3 point for a 49 8n? I can handle a 6' mower and blade, but not a 6' tandem disk? Am I expecting to much? Thanks Dave
 
(quoted from post at 13:02:10 01/04/18) Hi Bruce,

My 8N has 90wt and once the temperatures are below freezing, the lift will operate slowly until the oil warms up. It seems that it can take as much as 30 minutes to get things operating well. The lift on my 961 with universal tractor fluid operates better in colder temperatures.

Just as a side note, last week it was so cold here that even the hydraulics on the neighbor's Bobcat wouldn't work.

Colin, MN

I use the same fluid, Colin, and with it cold, it will definitely be very sluggish for the first 20+ minutes or so of operation.

I bought a cheap magnetic heater that I stick to the bottom of the sump/pump and leave it plugged in all winter. The lift is still a tiny bit sluggish at first, but quite usable.

es
 
(quoted from post at 08:59:25 01/04/18)
(quoted from post at 18:33:49 01/03/18)
I switched from molasses to UTF two years ago and my hydraulics respond instantly instead of 15 minutes later. I just plowed with it today and all was well at 10*.

Scott what spec of UTF did you use?

It was this stuff
 
(quoted from post at 08:59:25 01/04/18)
(quoted from post at 18:33:49 01/03/18)
I switched from molasses to UTF two years ago and my hydraulics respond instantly instead of 15 minutes later. I just plowed with it today and all was well at 10*.

Scott what spec of UTF did you use?

It was this stuff
 
(quoted from post at 08:59:25 01/04/18)
(quoted from post at 18:33:49 01/03/18)
I switched from molasses to UTF two years ago and my hydraulics respond instantly instead of 15 minutes later. I just plowed with it today and all was well at 10*.

Scott what spec of UTF did you use?

I tried twice give you a hyperlink but the post is removed immediately in Modern View. I used the Traveller brand UFT from TSC
 
Got pictures of that? Does not sound like a normal 8n setup. any leakage in the system would or could cause lift problems. It would depend on how much leakage.
 
(quoted from post at 10:12:06 01/14/18) Got pictures of that? Does not sound like a normal 8n setup. any leakage in the system would or could cause lift problems. It would depend on how much leakage.

Its a ford 800... The leakage is on the tachometer guage which is connected to the hydro pump at the engine block.
 
(quoted from post at 11:15:50 01/14/18)
(quoted from post at 10:12:06 01/14/18) Got pictures of that? Does not sound like a normal 8n setup. any leakage in the system would or could cause lift problems. It would depend on how much leakage.

Its a ford 800... The leakage is on the tachometer guage which is connected to the hydro pump at the engine block.

Your original title of the post said 8n.
 

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