1404 WT Imps with snow blades - a rarity? Need input

[BoyToys]

I posted a question the other day on the repairs parts problems forum to no avail. Yeah, it's not quite snow season and people have better things to do than surf here.
So, mine has a stand-alone blade and hydraulic system which actuates blade elevation and/or side angle. Works fine, zero leaks. Also has 6 ports on the back of the cab for God only knows what contraptions were towed and powered by it.
My system includes a 2 gallon tank and requisite controls between the seats. Just today I replaced the filter and checked the fluid level...about a third of the way up the tank. From what I've Googled for hydraulic systems in general, one should size the tank to be 3x the gpm rating of the pump with 10-20% additional head space to allow for expansion when warm. That said, the math would lead me to believe that my pump is rated at around 1 gpm, give or take, which seems low for what I presume is a standard automotive power steering pump which put out between 1.5-3.0 gpm. Assuming that's what's installed on my engine.
Also, my fluid appears to be standard red colored ATF...which should work fine and currently is.
I want to throw a few quarts of ATF in to bring the tank level up to maybe 3/4, to aid in cooling and less chance of cavitation.....but I don't know diddly friggin' squat on this topic. So if any of you have a similar system and depth of knowlege please chime in. Then, pray for snow as I'll be dragging her up to my cabin late October.

 

[Cidertom]

Not a good reply, but there are Red Dyed Hydraulic fluids out there. I do know some hydraulic systems used atf as it is good at low temperatures. Since the tank is low, if it were me, I'd probably dump it, purge the lines and go with something known. I don't know any tests that can say "this is ATF". I have never mixed atf with hydraulic fluid. I don't have any idea what good,bad,ugly would result. IDK about the 3x tank to pump ratio, I'm used to pump gpm =tank fluid volume. 20 gpm needs a 20 gallon tank..... the actual tank needs to be slightly bigger for heat expansion.
CT

 

[BoyToys]

Not a good reply, but there are Red Dyed Hydraulic fluids out there. I do know some hydraulic systems used atf as it is good at low temperatures. Since the tank is low, if it were me, I'd probably dump it, purge the lines and go with something known. I don't know any tests that can say "this is ATF". I have never mixed atf with hydraulic fluid. I don't have any idea what good,bad,ugly would result. IDK about the 3x tank to pump ratio, I'm used to pump gpm =tank fluid volume. 20 gpm needs a 20 gallon tank..... the actual tank needs to be slightly bigger for heat expansion.
CT

Thanks for the input. Somewhere I had heard that add-on systems like this commonly used standard power steering pumps and that ATF was used vs. power steering fluid being better at low temperatures (early Ford cars used ATF type F in their power steering pumps). I did some Googling about hydraulic fluid colors awhile back and found that they're clear or amber mostly, but yes some red formulations exist. Thus I'm making a lot of assumptions since Google is never wrong...heh.
Your info on tank size makes a lot better sense and would seem to match what most standard power steering pumps output..anywhere from 1.3-3.5 gpm depending on make/model/rpm. That better matches my tank size.
Dumping the system, ugh. I have maybe 2" clearance to the drain plug at the bottom of the tank and would need to devise some means of catching/redirecting the fluid. Either that or pump out the tank from the top. No idea how to purge the three cylinders and all the lines unless unscrewing all the fittings is the only way (and fear future leaks). And how to prime the system (maybe self-priming after a couple minutes of running). Like I said...I'm ignorant.
Thanks again.

 

[redsqwrl]

Go jam your head in the drivers side of the engine compartment.

I doubt you will find a powersteering pump there unless it was put there after it left logan.


Most of the imps that had valley engineering implements had small belt driven pumps up high on drivers side.

I use type f in all of my imps. Our hydraulic/fluid guy said type f is what was in it new. I know nothing but have lots of time pulling the seven sticks that occupy the space between the shifters in my imp. I dont add fluid until something doesnt work. I only loose fluid coupling and uncoupling
8 way front
3way rear

 

[BoyToys]

Go jam your head in the drivers side of the engine compartment.

I doubt you will find a powersteering pump there unless it was put there after it left logan.


Most of the imps that had valley engineering implements had small belt driven pumps up high on drivers side.

I use type f in all of my imps. Our hydraulic/fluid guy said type f is what was in it new. I know nothing but have lots of time pulling the seven sticks that occupy the space between the shifters in my imp. I dont add fluid until something doesnt work. I only loose fluid coupling and uncoupling
8 way front
3way rear

Again, thanks. I didn't realize that Thiokol would make-to-order Imps with hydraulics...always assumed it was a custom add-on at a later date. Yeah, I can see the pump high on the drivers side but can't identify what make it is.
Either way, you've set my mind at ease regarding fluid type (F) that I was planning on using. Current fluid looks clean as a whistle, just replaced the filter with a Napa 1553 to match what was on there. Don't even want to consider purging the system for fear of screwing up ancient connections.

 

[redsqwrl]

Yes, Do less. let it give you a reason to service it. if it is 40 years old, doesn;t leak and is low and not clowdy. shake the notion out of your head that is telling you to improve something. I suggest webbed lawn chairs and cold malt beverages.

 

[BoyToys]

Yes, Do less. let it give you a reason to service it. if it is 40 years old, doesn;t leak and is low and not clowdy. shake the notion out of your head that is telling you to improve something. I suggest webbed lawn chairs and cold malt beverages.

The best advice I've heard in years. If it ain't broke....
Outside of maybe adding a quart or two just "for good measure" and to make me feel warm and fuzzy, I don't at all want to mess with this unless necessary. Cans of worms comes to mind.
Just yesterday noticed a couple drops of fluid at two of the rear connections (scrupulously clean prior to painting last month); who knows, those may have been leaking for years and years. Put a wrench to them and will fire up today and see if rectified. After which I'll grab a malt beverage and fuggetaboutit.