BendPak Power Unit Extremely Noisy In the Cold. Why?

[mslisaj]

I have a Bendpak XPR-10ACX lift in my shop for about 16 months now and it works fantastic. But when it gets cold and I mean below 35 degrees the hydraulic pump gets very noisy. The colder it gets the louder and more of a screeching noise it makes. The pump sounds very normal above 40 degrees and works and sounds normal. It even works perfectly when it gets cold but it gets louder and louder the colder it gets. Just this week it's been in the single digits and the screeching is so bad I won't use the lift now. I know in the instructions the temperature range is from 40 degrees on up but I didn't understand this. On this forum last year I raised the question and all felt it was safe to use. I have Dexron III fluid in it. Any ideas or comments? Anyone else experience this? As I mentioned it works perfectly and the noise is definitely in the pump and not in the lifting cylinders. I would love to hear from others that have their lifts in a cold environment.

Thanks for your help........

Lisa

 

[Rentawrench]

Plastic or metal tank?

You need to heat the oil If metal get a Heat tape ( used to keep pipes from freezing ) an wrap the tank pulg it in before you want to use the unit then UNplug it when done.
Plastic maybe a oil dipstick heater in a block of wood to isolate from hitting the top an sides of tank.
Hope this gives you an idea to work from


ALWAYS be watching the heater Donot leave unattended,Must be really cold in your shop once the oil heats up you should be able to use it an unplug the heater.

Do you heat the shop to work on the lift ??

 

[red]

Wow at first I thought you were using the wrong fluid. How long have you had the unit? Dexron III has the capacity to absorb moisture? Heat is the best option but changing out the fluid may help. Surprised the pump hasn't blow a seal yet. Squealing usually means the pump is or has too much back pressure and the relief is kicking in.

 

[trbomax]

A partially clogged suction screen will make that noise too.It starves the pump,pump cavitates,pulls air thru shaft seals unless its submerged. My sno plow pump starts squeeling like a pig if I dont clean the screen every year,and its the same idea.

 

[mslisaj]

Well the tank is plastic and has the 1 1/4" fill opening so I'm not too sure I could really use a heat rod. Probably a heat light may be the answer or I have to revert back to a jack and stands during the winter months. As I mentioned I have had this lift about 16 months now. Last winter when it was only four months old I first noticed the noise but it was only about 35 degrees. So I kind of accepted it and then when the weather warmed up all sounds were normal but this year it's REALLY cold so now as I mentioned it's loud enough to say no I'm not going to use it. I have an older 3600 sq ft shop and it's not insulated thus it's impossible to seriously heat. I just wear insulated coveralls when I work out there and it's workable. But I don't want to damage this pump unit if the the temperature is truly an issue. One of the reasons I went with the Dexron III I never heard an automatic transmission make obscene noises until it warmed up. You just put it in gear and go. But obviously this Hydraulic pump is a different animal. I would describe the noise as IF the pump had a plastic or rubber impeller like a water pump and that rubber or plastic impeller was dry and rubbing the side of the pump. But I guess heating the oil is the key here or Jack stands as I mentioned.

I so appreciate the feedback and any other opinions.............

 

[mslisaj]

Well I would hate to think it was as clogged suction screen as the unit hasn't been cycled 30 times in the last 16 months and it was new when I installed it and used new fluid from a sealed container. But that is a good way to describe the sound. But it lifts without hesitation or jerking. Maybe I will have to drop the tank and take a look at the suction tube. But again more to the point is that am I the only one that is experiencing this?

Thanks for your help..........

Lisa

 

[mhm993]

Hydraulic fluids seem to contract in the winter. Wouldn't be surprised if it only needed topping off if this is a cavitation sort of noise.
Had a car with a really small power steering leak, and it made noise the first day it got down to freezing each winter, and needed to be topped off.

 

[mslisaj]

Well it's a three gallon tank. But I will check the level too. There are no leaks but all suggestions at this point will be investigated.

 

[c39er]

Just used mine in 20 degree temps and worked fine no noise 3 month old lift. I used Dextron ATF with Cat additive when new for oil. I just was slow and easy using it in this cold. No odd noises.

 

[mslisaj]

Well I may have a bad power unit or something like that. I think I will pull the tank and check the suction screen and make sure there is no problem there. But to hear another Bendpak owner have no problem is enlightening to me.

Hmmmmmmm................

Lisa

 

[sberry]

I really doubt its a screen problem, it should last for years and years especially on a unit like this where dirt doesn't get introduced, its there to protect the pump if something should get in somehow. Most hyd systems are noisier in cold weather, just a fact that cold oil is harder to move, either don't worry about it or heat the oil somehow, a thermo heat tape with blanket over tank.

 

[SPDMETL]

Is this something that you could easily change the tank to metal and heat it ?

 

[Torque1st]

Call the manufacturer and ask them if they have any recommendations for cold weather operation even if it is below their specs.

In my opinion another thing to try would be a synthetic automotive oil in a 5W20 or 0W20.

 

[dougmac]

Well I may have a bad power unit or something like that. I think I will pull the tank and check the suction screen and make sure there is no problem there. But to hear another Bendpak owner have no problem is enlightening to me.

Hmmmmmmm................

Lisa

Lisa,
I have the exact same lift. Mine is louder when it is cold also. I contribute it to the pump working harder to pump the cold oil. I have seen my share of hydraulic pumps that are noisy when they are cold.

For what it is worth ...... I am not concerned about mine.

Doug

 

[Junkman]

Kubota sells a natural hydraulic oil that I use in my tractor that is great in extremely cold weather. It is called Kubota Super UDT oil... It is quite pricey, but worth every penny not to have problems in the cold...

 

[jhelrey]

You make more noise working when it is cold than you do when warm!

 

[mslisaj]

Thank you all gentlemen for your feed back on this noisy pump. Yesterday I did pull the oil tank and one it was full of oil and two, the screen on the bottom was clean as a whistle. Put it all back together and then held down the release lever and ran the pump for awhile and it quieted down some. Then in the afternoon it warmed up in the shop to just below 40 and the pump sounded normal and worked as good as usual. So I think all your points are well taken that hydraulics just work harder in the cold. I gather what startled me was we had this extreme cold snap this last week and the noise was way more pronounced. Now, with your help we have determined that it's a temp. thing and not a problem with the pump I will work on a way to heat the oil to at least 40 and off I go. But it's not that big of an issue now that I know what it is.........

Thanks so much for your help.

Lisa

 

[69CHARGERMD]

Lisa,
That looks like a 65 plymouth ? in the sig pic.....

 

[Dragster Racer]

Call the manufacturer and ask them if they have any recommendations for cold weather operation even if it is below their specs.

In my opinion another thing to try would be a synthetic automotive oil in a 5W20 or 0W20.

That gets my vote. Probably the best use for synthetic there is. Also, the John Deere low vis hydraulic fluid I would think would work well also.
My guess is that the higher viscosity in the cold cavitates the pump. Probably not great for the pump in the long run.

 

[mslisaj]

Lisa,
That looks like a 65 plymouth ? in the sig pic.....

Good eye. Yes it's a 65 Satellite with the factory 426 wedge, a 727 and a 3.55 Dana 60. It's a fun street car and I have owned it for 38 years...........

Also I plan to call BendPak on Monday and see what they say about the 0W20 synthetic oil and I will check out the John Deere "Low Viscosity" hydraulic fluid. I put the Dexron III in it as I thought that was the best but if there are better alternatives to stopping this "cavitation" noise then I'm for changing out that oil.

So appreciate the advice and thank you!

Lisa

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

Copied & pasted from one of Bend-Pak's owner's manuals:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. OPERATING TEMPERATURE. Operate lift only
between temperatures of 41° -104° F.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


If you must use the lift in colder temps, you could use J-13 hydraulic oil.
http://www.imperialoil.ca/Canada-English/Files/Products_Lubes/IOCAENINDESUnivis_J.pdf

Or Arctic 15:
http://www.conocophillipslubricants.../tB Arctic Low Pour Hydraulic Oil TDS Web.pdf

 

[69CHARGERMD]

Good eye. Yes it's a 65 Satellite with the factory 426 wedge, a 727 and a 3.55 Dana 60. It's a fun street car and I have owned it for 38 years...........

Cool,

I have 2 mopars ( 65 Belvedere, strip / race car, 451, 13:1 compression, dominator, alum heads, DANA, caltracs ),,,, best ET is 10.08 @ 132 MPH

Also with a 69 Charger RT/SE 4 speed, DANA car,,,"street" use only,,,per se',, ( 496 stroker, 10.5:1 compression, pump gas car ),,,triple black,,,

 

[mslisaj]

Cool,

I have 2 mopars ( 65 Belvedere, strip / race car, 451, 13:1 compression, dominator, alum heads, DANA, caltracs ),,,, best ET is 10.08 @ 132 MPH

Also with a 69 Charger RT/SE 4 speed, DANA car,,,"street" use only,,,per se',, ( 496 stroker, 10.5:1 compression, pump gas car ),,,triple black,,,



Extremely nice stable of cars. Both are my favorites.
Thanks for sharing the pictures and with assistance with my "cold" noisy lift.

Lisa

 

[mslisaj]

Copied & pasted from one of Bend-Pak's owner's manuals:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. OPERATING TEMPERATURE. Operate lift only
between temperatures of 41° -104° F.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Jim,

In my original post I did mention the fact that I was aware of that temperature limitation in the manual. Also on this forum and Jeff from Bendpak weighed in on my question of that limitation. It was the major consensus that the lift was safe to use below 40 degrees. I used it through last winter but it never got much below 30 and the "noise" was just different not "screeching" like it does in the single digits now. So that is why I raised the question. I believe you are correct and like others have suggested that a synthetic or special light hydraulic oil designed for the cold is truly what I need or should be used. From what I have learned here that hydraulic systems all get finicky when they get really cold. I emailed Bendpak Tech Support with this question and proposed remedies and if I don't get an email back I will call and report on their official solution. One thing for sure the integrity of the lift is not compromised by the cold.

Thanks for your suggestions......

Lisa