12v seat heater?

[Coolnorth]

Here's a hint from a New Yorker with a 1/4 mile driveway and no cab. Forget your butt and keep your hands, feet, and face (somewhat) warm. My *** is the least of my concerns when plowing snow.

This is the key for sure. I have cut a piece of carpet to fit my old metal pan (also fits my *** ) and when snow needed to be plowed, the outdoor temp was never below -15 degrees C, or about 0 deg F. Not to say the temperature wasn't colder at some point, but I try to get it plowed as soon as the snow has fallen.

I don't think it would be a good idea.

The seat would get warm and melt the snow causing you to probably get wet and even more cold.

I've gotten "soggy butt" from plowing during the snowfall, but if you found a heater for the seat pan and installed it on a switched circuit, you could turn it on only when you need it and shut it off just before you're done, keeping the seat from getting too wet. If you buy yourself a snowsuit or snowpants/jacket for snowmobiling, they are designed to keep your butt "drier" and may also help the situation during plowing.

I'll keep an eye on this thread, as I'm "cabless".

 

[mjncad]

Having to plug oneself into my tractor sounds like a hassle. When I remove snow I often switch my backblade from pushing to pulling and back so I am always moving around. I wouldn't want a cord I would inevitably forget I had plugged in. I rarely found the need in CO. I was only cold if my gloves got wet. My feet hardly ever got cold and that was with the warmer temperature Caribou Sorels.

This stuff works really well but is expensive (I have them in my ski boots):
Products | Hotronic - Keeping Feet Warm, Keeping Hands and Feet Dry!
I thought they had gloves too but I don't see them.

The OP is in KY- His weather does not require arctic survival gear, good gloves, boots and layers and he will be fine.

No argument from me about having a cord to deal with being a pain; but in my case, even a 40-degree day can make my hands and feet miserable if conditions are right.

My idea of a perfect climate would be Colorado in September and the first two weeks of October year round. We had an unusually wet and cool spring and early summer, and the weather guessers are thinking we may have fewer but heavier snowstorms this year. If that's the case, I may be using the tractor to move snow like I did in 2006 - 2007. Picasa Web Albums - Matt - 2006 - 2007 Snow#

Of course the aftermath sunny days are misleading as it was cold, windy, cloudy, snowing and downright miserable freezing my butt off on my cabless tractor when I was plowing out ours and my neighbor's driveways.

 

[bota7800]

Offtopic:

If that's the case, I may be using the tractor to move snow like I did in 2006 - 2007. Picasa Web Albums - Matt - 2006 - 2007 Snow#

Of course the aftermath sunny days are misleading as it was cold, windy, cloudy, snowing and downright miserable freezing my butt off on my cabless tractor when I was plowing out ours and my neighbor's driveways.

Yeah, that was some winter. I had snow piles 6 feet high too. I also came home several times when the snow drifted across the drive and set hard.

A year or two before that one I only plowed twice. Colorado is pretty interesting.

 

[mjncad]

Offtopic:



Yeah, that was some winter. I had snow piles 6 feet high too. I also came home several times when the snow drifted across the drive and set hard.

A year or two before that one I only plowed twice. Colorado is pretty interesting.

Interesting is definitely one way to put it. Thankfully it's not like we have Minnesota winters. I have a friend who lives there and she tells me what winters are like and it's not for me.

During the winter I keep a heating pad on the floor under my desk to keep my feet warm while key-slapping on the PC.

 

[Travelover]

For me the key is staying dry. I have a pair of breathable waterproof pants that I paid less than $50 for at Campmor. Sometimes they are on sale at Cabela's Bargain Cave as well. Combine these with a hooded fleece jacket and a waterproof rain jacket and you'll be dry and toasty.

Campmor Men's Storm Venture Waterproof/Breathable Pants, 77689 | Rainwear | Men | OUTERWEAR | items from Campmor.

 

[sld]

As a die hard bird hunter I have found I can always "suit up" to match any conditions. With the right clothes, meaning layers, along with a good hat, gloves and boots I can't imagine needing electrical help.

Here in Kansas, we will see extreme temps, but not all that often. If you can fend off the wind you can always stay warm and breathable garments go a long ways.

I will admit though, guys with cabs are driving Rolls Royces.

 

[Charlesaf3]

solution? Ski gear. I stay outside all day in the cold. Do a couple of layers of smartwool long underwear, breathable bib, and good mittens - mittens not gloves. Though all of that would be for new England - in kentucky I'd do what I did in VA - random long underwear and gear.

 

[pat32rf]

Minus 40 C is about the same as minus 40F, and we get both. As has been pointed out, the key to staying warm is to stay dry. Except for my hands, its easier to stay warm at minus 30 than right at the freezing point, when everything turns to wet slop.

I'd love an electric steering wheel cover and joystick knob, the rest of me stays warm with good coveralls (or skidoo suit) and a skidoo helmut with visor if its windy.
In reality we don't get snow when its really cold, most of it arrives around -10C or warmer, but there is always firewood to carry, snowbanks to relocate (push back), etc even at -30.

 

[Opti-Mist]

A fabric covered "hot seat" is a great help. Otherwise, like has been said, keep your extremeties warm. I use white "mickey mouse" boots, extra large fleece lined choppers with wool mittens inside, and a face mask if it's really cold. Chemical hand and toe warmers also if needed.

 

[pat32rf]

About 35yrs ago some friends of mine from the windy city wore "Mickey Mouse" boots. Haven't heard the phrase around here since they split 20 yrs back......We still wear those boots though