When bad winter weather hits, commercial snow removal crews rely on heavy equipment to keep lots and roads safe for travel. However, extremely cold temperatures can freeze hydraulic systems and bring operations grinding to a halt. Frozen hydraulics on snow clearing equipment like skid steers and wheel loaders causes unwanted downtime and expensive repairs. In this blog, we'll explore why hydraulics freeze, what to do about it, and how to keep your snow equipment operating all winter long.
Why Hydraulics Freeze in Cold Weather
Frozen hydraulics aren't just caused by sub-zero temperatures. Most failures come from a combination of cold-related factors, including:
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Hydraulic fluid becomes more viscous when temperatures plummet, restricting flow.
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Condensation inside tanks and lines freezes, blocking valves and filters.
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Worn seals, cracked hoses, and outdated hydraulic systems struggle in extreme cold.
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Beginning to operate snow plowing equipment without allowing the proper warm-up period for fluids.
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Non-winter-grade hydraulic oil is being used.
Immediate Solutions When Hydraulics are Frozen
1. Warm Up the System Safely
Proper warm-up is important for wheel loaders, skid steers, and tractors operating in winter weather. Letting the engine idle helps, but block heaters are far more effective at warming hydraulic fluid evenly, especially when allowed to run overnight. Never attempt rapid warming on your equipment because sudden temperature changes can crack seals, damage hoses, and warp components. Patience during warm-up saves time and money.
2. Check Fluid Levels & Quality
Cold weather will quickly expose any fluid issues, such as insufficient levels or low quality. It's important to use OEM-recommended, low-viscosity hydraulic fluid that can flow well even in bitterly cold temperatures. If you're confident in the quality of your hydraulic fluid, check for signs of contamination: milky coloration, ice crystals, and foaming. When water infiltrates your fluid, you'll need to replace it to keep your plow equipment in a good state of repair.
3. Manual Movement Techniques
If the hydraulic system of your snow equipment is partially responsive, try slowly moving lift arms, buckets, or plows. This will cycle cylinders, circulating warm fluid and melting ice buildup. Never force frozen hydraulics – this can snap hoses, shear pins, and destroy pumps, especially if your equipment is under load.
Pro Tips from Experienced Snow Operators
Invest in Strategic Heating
Storing wheel loaders, skid steers, and other snow plowing vehicles in a heated environment will prevent frozen hydraulics. Parking vehicles in a heated garage or plugging in a block heater when they're not in operation will greatly reduce cold-start stress on hydraulic systems. This is especially important if your team is tackling multiple winter storms in a row. Investing in strategic heating will save your company a lot of money in emergency repairs and equipment replacement.
Routine Pre-Shift Hydraulic Checks
Before taking your snow plowing equipment out for each shift, conduct a routine inspection of each vehicle's hydraulic system. Inspect all hoses and fittings for cracks or leaks caused by sub-zero weather. Additionally, check that fluid levels are sufficient and look for any signs of moisture contamination that could cause failure. These quick routine checks often catch problems before they result in frozen hydraulics.
Use Hydraulic Additives
Anti-gel or water-separating hydraulic additives are another great way to protect your snow equipment's hydraulic systems from freezing during winter. High-quality additives function to reduce moisture buildup, prevent ice formation, and improve cold-flow performance. Just make sure to confirm additive compatibility with your equipment manufacturer before use.
Keep an Emergency Toolkit Handy
Snow removal operators should always keep an emergency toolkit in each vehicle – or at least bring one to each jobsite – to prepare for frozen hydraulics. Stock this toolkit with spare hydraulic fluid, replacement filters, hose repair tools, and absorbent pads for any leaks. Having the right tools on hand may allow you to finish a route instead of calling it quits mid-storm.
When It’s Time to Replace or Upgrade Your Hydraulics
Even with proper routine maintenance, the time will eventually come to replace the hydraulic systems in skid steers, tractors, and wheel loaders. It's probably time to replace or upgrade if you notice:
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Repeated freezing issues despite using proper winter-grade fluids and warm-up procedures.
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Sluggish performance or slow cylinder response that doesn't improve when temperatures rise.
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Cracked, leaking, or brittle hoses and seals that fail repeatedly.
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Older equipment that cannot run OEM-recommended winter hydraulic fluids or additives.
Upgrade to Hydraulic Wing Plows to Tackle Winter Weather
To avoid mid-storm downtime, it's best to replace outdated or failing equipment before the first big snowstorm hits – not right in the middle of it. Modern snow plow attachments such as hydraulic wing plows are designed to operate in extreme cold temperatures. Contact Storm Equipment today if you're interested in purchasing hydraulic wing plow attachments for your heavy snow equipment.
