hydraulic overheating

Help Support SkidSteer Forum:

rpoy

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2024
Messages
8
Hey Everyone!

I have a John Deere 260. There seems to be a problem with my hydraulic temp increasing after using. After using the skidsteer for about 30 minutes or so, the temp indicator starts getting close to the danger zone so I have to shut it down. Any idea on why this might be happening and how best to go about fixing this?

thanks!
 
I had the same issue there was a restriction (trash)in the hose filter to the in side on the hydro run 2 speed cooling fan. My machine is not what you have,so this might not be a cause. That fan on mine cools intercooler, hydros and engine coolant.
 
Thanks for your input! I was kinda thinking the same thing. I was wondering if the oil cooler was the problem. But Ill check the lines and filter first...
Thanks.
 
I would also suggest making sure all coolers/rads are clean and working properly
lots of folks seem to clean one side and then forget about the back side, as its harder to get too
and that can cause over heating

next, HOW old is your fluids, it does go bad, Most OEM"S recommend replacing it like every 5 yrs!

same with how long was it since you replaced hydraulic filter/s

and last, are you by chance using any implement that maybe is asking for more GPM"S than your machine makes, or close to the max of your machines output!
lots of implements out there these days that many machines cannot use , and easy to forget or not know, if new or??
 
Hi!

I have pressure washed everything pretty good - at least I thought I had. I will check the coolers again.

I purchased my skidsteer used about 4 years ago from a JD dealer. I was told that they went through it, added new oils, filters and cleaned it. That's what I was told. But the reality might be different. I think I had it home and in less than 1 hour of use had to replace a hydraulic hose under the cab and it didn't look like it had been cleaned. I am picking up a hydraulic filter this week which I had to order.

As far as the the age of the oil, I have a special feature on mine called the Major Leakus Suckus which prevents my hydraulic oil from aging because I have to constantly be adding more. I'm in the process of building a garage and once its finished I can spend some time and fix everything.

Im very new to hydraulics and skidsteering and had never thought of the GPM's for the implements. I just assumed that they all work. I think most of my attachments are pretty basic - brush hog, grapple bucket... I noticed the heating issue when I first got it and when I was using the brush hog attachment - which by the way, is one of the most awesome pieces of equipment ever built! But since then I have also seen the heating issue when I simply use my bucket.

thanks for your help!
 
well just some food for thought
fluids/oils go bad from TIME alone, NOT just hours of use
SO< after "X" amount of time its recommended to replace them, same with filters
and as for implements
brush hog.mowers, can be very HIGH demand on GPM"S, so pending size and design of the brush cutter you have, you maybe at the max or past what you machine makes(they make both high flow machines and low flow, as the same with brush hogs, and its not that un common for folks to buy the wrong implement for the machine they have, happens all the time)
which would for sure be a cause of high temps, and doing so for long periods of time can harm your machines pumps and hydraulic system, leading to very costly repairs(not saying your doing this, just saying what it can cause if your using implements needing more GPM than your machine makes, or even at its max ,)

SO< knowing what your machine makes and what your implements require is important info to have,


once a oil is hot too many times it looses its ability to cool properly and lubricate as it should, which again can lead to failures on pumps, wear and tear on moving parts, or even again total failures!


Hydraulic hoses too, go bad from AGE and time,
all the more so those exposed to UV and or flex alot or rub things, hoses move while flow is going thru them , so many will wear holes into them from this alone
and when a hose fails they can be very dangerous
so its always good to inspect them from time to time, and look for signs of aging or wear and tear
drying, cracks, spots where outer layer is damaged and so on!

NEXT even if you had the dealer change all the fluids 4 yrs ago, when they DO basic draining of fluids, they NEVER get all the old fluids out, due to the hoses hold a LOT of fluid and most do not all; drain empty, so there will always be OLD fluid left in the system that will mix and make new fluids look dirty once using it not as dirty looking as ALL old fluid, but will cause new fluid to loose its clean color!
it also would NOT be the first time a dealer claimed to change fluids and NOT do it (I caught a dealer doing this not so long ago,$1,010 bucks for service they never did, so this happens more often than many may think it does)
but even at 4 yrs old, it would be recommended to replace on just time that past and NOT use, pending how you feel about recommended things, MOST new diesel machine require a once a yr oil replacement to keep warranty's, no matter how many hrs, they go by "X" hours, OR "X" months of time, which ever comes first
so at 4 yrs>?? your machine,your money, your call!
just once again giving food for thought!



last food for thought is, also if your doing a lot of brush hogging, I HOPE you have a safety door, that will protect you from flying debris, and NOT just a glass door, they make special doors for brush work, because things can fly back at the operator and do serious harm or worse if things go wrong!
yes folks get away with NOT having them, but there is a reason they make them, as I said, food for thought, NOT telling you what to do or things will happen!, just adding info for you to think about
 
Last edited:
Thank you for your input! My filter just got in today and I will do as you say.

thanks!
 
When I would change hydraulic oil on a skid steer I would take a short hydraulic hose and add a quick connect to it that matched the auxillary fitt and at an idle operate the auxillary function until running the oil in to a container until I got air then shuit down the unit change filters and refill with hydraulic oil and run bucket functions and check hydraulic oil level and top as required and finish service of equipment then drive the unit and a final check of hydraulic oil, New hollands it made no difference but the john deere units would drop a little, the new units that have computers might shut down befor the unit pumps out all the hydraulic oil, only way to know would be to try it.
 
Top