ice in hydralics

fosterdave37 · Feb 25, 2018

So I bought a MF 20. 3 point would not lift. Brought it home and removed the inspection plates to discover some very ugly fluid. Super milky with a nice white marshmallow fluff looking layer on top. Drained the oil to find about an inch of ice in the bottom of the case. trying to thaw it out but its hard to do in a unheated shed in Northern Michigan. been running a little diesel through trying to get the sludge out. How likely is it that once I get it thawed,cleaned with new oil and filter that it will work or do you think the ice might have screwed the pump?

Any tips tricks advise is appreciated

showcrop · Feb 25, 2018

I suggest that you post this also on the Massey Ferguson Forum. While ice in a mechanical housing can hurt many machines including tractors, I would think that it will vary a lot from one machine to another and from one model to another. You should get more views from Massey Ferguson owners down there.

old · Feb 25, 2018

Pour in a bottle of HEET it will help thaw it out plus absorb the water so as to get more of it out. As for harming any thing that is a 50/50 type of thing and I have found in many cases no harm but if it cause the hyd pump to starve of fluid it could have caused it to go bad

Steven-Id · Feb 25, 2018

While the fluid is out I would try and look at the pistons in the hydraulic pump. I have had 2 that were the same way and the water and grit had pretty much ruined the pump. Will it work? Possibly but it depends on what you are going to use it for. I had one of them that I tried to use without changing pump. It would work fine while the oil was cold but when it got hot it was really sluggish. The thing to watch for is where the water got in from.

Steven

fosterdave37 · Feb 25, 2018

I'm sure the water got in the worn out shifter boots. just using the tractor for around the house stuff moving snow in winter lightish loader work and firewood hauling in the woods. want to use 3 point with a blade and carry all I guess ill get it cleaned out filter and oil and see what happens if no luck I can drain it again and go from there.

504 · Feb 25, 2018

Put a 60 watt light bulb in the housing, it will thaw it right out. Do cover the bulb on the top with aluminum foil to keep water off of the bulb (condensation)

Steve@Advance · Feb 25, 2018

Once you get it thawed and cleaned out (there may be more than one drain plug), you could put just enough oil in the case to supply the pump, and see if the lift will work.

Watch for smooth action. If it is jerky, there are problems with the pump valves. A common problem with those.

If there are pump problems, you will probably do better to buy a reconditioned pump. I repaired one with the rebuild kit, and it was a real challenge. If I had not had a lathe and surface grinder, and a lot of time fitting the after market kit, it would not have been possible.

Not sure about the 20, but there may be another boot where the upper link comes out of the top cover. Those are prone to collecting water, if stored outside near impossible to keep it out.

ice in hydralics

fosterdave37

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showcrop

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old

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Steven-Id

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fosterdave37

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504

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Steve@Advance

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