Franklin 170 hydraulic question

[NWC]

Anyone know where the hydraulic filter is located on a 1968 Franklin 170 cable skidder? The hydraulics froze up on me. Thanks in advance

[Southside]

Mine is newer but there is a by pass filter in the hydraulic tank itself and two cartridge filters up by the engine on the ditch side. 

Hope that helps.

[Corley5]

The filters were in the hydraulic tank on the late 1970s 132 forwarder I used to have.  There was a plate on top of the tank that allowed access.  I plumbed in spin on filters.  Big improvement.

[NWC]

Thanks guys, Corley5 there is a spin-off round plate on top of the tank hard to tell what's in there but when I drain the fluid I will know more. I got it thawed out enough to get them working again yesterday so I'm glad I didn't blow the pump anyway. The hydraulics are really slow on this thing, I've only had it a 6 months, the steering which is controlled by a lever and the blade are very slow. The fluid is slightly milky do you think that is the reason or would it have to do with the pump being wore out? Maybe it was just designed that way. The reverse is also very slow.. It has a 4-speed transmission with high and low and even hi range is a snail's pace in reverse. . Any information out there would be very helpful, as it seems there is no hope of ever getting a service manual for a Franklin!
Southside, I couldn't see anything under or around the motor. I will have a better visual though when I drop the belly pan.

[Southside]

Milky fluid means it is contaminated with water. You need to get that out of there and flush the system. That is not helping your system out at all. 

[Corley5]

Definitely need to change your fluid.  My forwarder had two filters, one for blade and steering, one for the loader.  Both were blown out from being plugged.  Hopefully a fluid and filter change will fix your issues. 

[NWC]

Thanks guys! The filter/suction strainer was in the tank, I flushed the system. New fluid and a clog-free filter made a noticable difference! Gasket replaced on the access cover should keep out the moisture. I'm not sure of the fluid capacity but common sense tells me the more fluid in the tank the less condensation to worry about. ?


 
If anyone out there has a similar machine I would like to know if the slow reverse is common to it. I spent some years in the woods in my twenties logging with John Deer 440 and 540 cables and from what I remember  of my dad backing up and me pulling chokers I couldn't get clear fast enough.  He also thinks the Franklin is too slow in reverse.