Frozen John Deere Loader Cables

[tool]

I know there are more than a few farmers on here so I'm sure somebody else has run into this problem before.

I have a 7600 Deere MFWD tractor with a 740 self leveling loader/grapple.

In this frigid weather I have had grief with the loader control cables freezing up, particularly the boom control one (raise lower) while the curl/dump one has stayed working.

Anybody have a great trick of thawing these things and getting them working again besides building a heated shop?

[cdmc]

I used plug in heat trace/pipe wrap on my skidder

[RickyP]

I have a 7410 and had to replace both cables they get moisture inside and will finally freeze up and not move at all you will have a ****ty job ahead I hope you have a heated shop to work in it

[Smokinyotes]

I would undo the cables at the valve and let them hang straight down from the joy stick and try and warm them up so if there is any moisture in them it will run out. Then disconnect the cable at the top end and try and spray some WD40 or cable lube in them until you get it running out the bottom end of the cable. Hook the cables back on to the joystick and try and spray lube in the bottom end before hooking back to the valve body.

I was having the same issues every winter until I did this.

[tool]

Originally Posted by cdmc

I used plug in heat trace/pipe wrap on my skidder

That's a great idea CDMC, I'd have to look closer but unfortunately I don't think there is room for heat tape along these cables the way they are routed. I'll definitely keep that sugestion in mind though.

[Ken07AOVette]

Are you talking about wiring cables??? Is it a 'fly by wire' system?

I can't for the life of me figure out what cables you are are talking about.

Are you trying to say hydraulic hoses??

[tool]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Are you talking about wiring cables??? Is it a 'fly by wire' system?

I can't for the life of me figure out what cables you are are talking about.

Are you trying to say hydraulic hoses??

No not at all, they are push/pull mechanical cables. Like a thin flexible rod inside of a steel and plastic wound sheath that operate the hydraulic valves for the loader.

The remote outlets use a similar setup as does the throttle linkage.

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by tool

No not at all, they are push/pull mechanical cables. Like a thin flexible rod inside of a steel and plastic wound sheath that operate the hydraulic valves for the loader.

The remote outlets use a similar setup as does the throttle linkage.

That is wild, I had no idea. The only place I have ever anything similar is on boats.
I had to do some hydraulic hose work on my payloader, there are hoses from the joystick to the bottom of the floor then down to the blocks. They are a REAL PITA to work on, very small access hole and no possible way to get hands in.
Sorry for the derail.

Thanks for the info, interesting stuff.

What year is the tractor?

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by tool

That's a great idea CDMC, I'd have to look closer but unfortunately I don't think there is room for heat tape along these cables the way they are routed. I'll definitely keep that sugestion in mind though.

Until you unplug the heat and go move snow and they freeze then.

[Smokinyotes]

Bottom line you either replace the cables or get the water out and lube the existing cables.

[Puma]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

Bottom line you either replace the cables or get the water out and lube the existing cables.

My clutch cable on my Case was the same, ended up replacing it.

[tool]

Originally Posted by Xbolt7mm

Until you unplug the heat and go move snow and they freeze then.

Once they were freed and working again, I've never had them refreeze while you were using it. It seems to only happen when it's extremely cold. Usually I have been able to thaw them by just leaving it running for a couple hours, but not this time...