[wizzo]

Over the summer I used the 20% off attachments coupon to add the electric lift for the snow plow. It's not that the plow is hard to lift, it's more than it makes life less complicated when backing up, lifting the plow, steering and watching out for the kids. Anyway, I unpacked the kit contents this weekend and noticed that the actuator was coated in a bit of oil. I'm guessing that's not a good thing, unless they're all shipped that way.... Just wondering if that means the actuator is messed up and I need to go talk to my dealer about a replacement. I didn't get the wiring finished yet, so I don't know if the actuator works or not.

 

[Nouveau Redneck]

Definitely looks like something's wrong. Even if it works fine now, it may fail prematurely at some point in the future, so I would get it replaced under warranty now.

 

[8086bruce]

That stinks wizzo! Could that be a coating to protect it from rust while in the box?

 

[PA318Guy]

Sort of looks like cosmoline.

 

[nicholjl1]

Being an electric actuator is contains no oil. A small electric motor turns a gear which makes the rod move in and out. The oil is likely a rust inhibitor, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ryan.of.peachey]

Unless it's a significant amount, I'd tend to agree with PA318Guy on this issue.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Call the dealer or check a service manual... does the unit even contain oil? My old 210 has electric lift and the gear mechanism inside is lubricated with grease, not oil. I'd say its just preservative (oil, 1010, cosmoline, etc..) wiped on the unit

 

[wizzo]

Thanks, I hadn't thought about it being rust inhibitor. It was only on the squarer section, nothing on the two cylindrical pieces. The whole section is coated, not just around the seals, so I guess it makes sense. I'll finish (start actually) the wiring and see if it works. I'll check with the dealer, but they probably won't know...

 

[FlintMich]

Wizzo, make sure to call the dealer and at least make them aware of the problem. If they don't know anything about it, like you said, at least you are giving them notice in case there is an issue in the near future. It's certainly worth a phone call just to be sure.
Good luck with this and be sure to keep us updated with the situation and the progress. Oh and don't forget the pics.
:wwp:

 

[Crimsonaro]

Agree with those that say they have grease not oil and it is probably something else. That said, grease can separate and cause an oily residue. Sure it's fine, but doesn't hurt to check on it with the dealer.

Question.

Does that actuator have a name plate of any kind?

I would love to know the manufacturer/model/specs. They probably order them with out that information, but curious. Still think it is probably cheaper to buy the kit then to out source it and fab it up.

 

[Jimbochap]

Thanks, I hadn't thought about it being rust inhibitor. It was only on the squarer section, nothing on the two cylindrical pieces. The whole section is coated, not just around the seals, so I guess it makes sense. I'll finish (start actually) the wiring and see if it works. I'll check with the dealer, but they probably won't know...

You can check to see if it works just by running a couple of jumper wires off your battery on the tractor....reverse the wires and you can see it retract the other way.

 

[wizzo]

It wasn't a lot of oil and it was a pretty even coat around the whole thing to be a leak... I'll call and check anyway, but will also be testing it out. I'll post a few pics or a video of it in action when I get it hooked up.