Cold weather problem on Matbro 280 telehandler

[Muckster]

Morning all

I’m having issues in this cold weather with my old telehandler.
I’ve recently bought it for loading a gritter but it’s been playing up intermittently when the temperature drops.
Basically it won’t select forward or reverse, and from what I’ve learned from talking to a very experienced Matbro engineer, the pump struggles to pull oil when too cold, meaning there’s not enough pressure to operate the torque converter.
Any tips on keeping things moving? I’ve been looking at heated blankets like the Scandinavians use!
Thanks
Martin

 

[JD450A]

Give it plenty I time to warm up before you use it.

 

[Gunners]

Are you sure its got the right oil in it? Too thick oil could cause this problem if its only in cold weather. Or change to a thinner oil if you are relying on it in winter for a gritting operation!

 

[CPS]

The 280 matbros/ John degrees 4400 had a problem with the drive lugs/pegs shearing of in the trans pump. When it warms does it go?

Edit..
Thinking about it does the hydraulics work when it won't drive? If I remember rightly the hyd pump is trans driven and won't work if the torque pegs are broke

 

[V8Druid]

stick a space heater under/blowin under it, for half an hour 'fore, you're ready to start it .... get everything nice and warm but keep an eye on it

 

[Muckster]

Give it plenty I time to warm up before you use it.

Have given it plenty time, doesn’t seem to make much difference to be honest.

 

[Muckster]

The 280 matbros/ John degrees 4400 had a problem with the drive lugs/pegs shearing of in the trans pump. When it warms does it go?

Edit..
Thinking about it does the hydraulics work when it won't drive? If I remember rightly the hyd pump is trans driven and won't work if the torque pegs are broke

All hydraulics work fine, the only thing that won’t work is the drive.
I went back to it later in the day, temp was about +4 degrees, and it engaged straight away!

 

[fred]

like others have said change the oil for better/thinner.

 

[V8Druid]

filter issue?

 

[CPS]

How cold are you talking about?

Change the oil, put in dextron 3 ATF oil. And change the filter also...

 

[Muckster]

How cold are you talking about?

Change the oil, put in dextron 3 ATF oil. And change the filter also...

Was about -4 yesterday morning.
Yes, thanks, just waiting on filters!
I’ve checked the transmission and there’s red ATF in there, have no idea what’s in the hydraulic tank though so I’ll just change it.
I think I’ll put a 32 in.

 

[V8Druid]

How cold are you talking about?

Change the oil, put in dextron 3 ATF oil. And change the filter also...

my Rapier crane was torque converter Aiden and had to be Dexron free ATF ... summat to do with seals?? worth checking??

 

[Quattromike]

Our Kalmar sideloader can be a pig on colder days, the torque is slow and the hydraulic brakes take forever to let go. Once she's been going for half an hour it's ok but normally have the job done by then

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

Any old sludge from oil will collect in the filter element at low temp it will wax up, I agree oil and filter.