Winter Preperations - 273

[km-ri]

Winter Preparations - 273

This will be my first winter with my 273. I have a FEL and backhoe and living in New England I suspect I will be clearing snow or continuing to work in the woods.

What can I do to insure my tractor starts regularly and how long do they need to warm up? It will be stored in an unheated enclosure.

Is there a block heater available?
Is there such a thing as a hydraulic fluid heater?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[myyaz33]

I have an inline radiator heater that works well. I just plug it in for about 10 minutes and cycle the plugs once and she starts. It doesn't take long to get it heated up and we get fairly cold here in Nebraska.

They have magnetic block heaters that would warm the transmission but I have not found that I need it yet.

As far as warming up the manual says:

"WARMING UP IN COLD WEATHER
Cold weather will change the viscosity of the oil, resulting in a reduced oil pumping capacity, which can cause damage to the engine if it is not warmed up correctly.
It also causes problems with the hydraulic system and the synchromesh in the transmission.

Correct times for warming up are:
32ï½°F~14ï½°F 20~30 min.
Above 50ï½°F 5~10 min.
Below ?ï½°F Over 40 min."

I think these times are fairly unrealistic!

Oh yeah, make sure you have a good battery. Try using a battery tender.

 

[Tom59]

Re: Winter Preparations - 273

This will be my first winter with my 273. I have a FEL and backhoe and living in New England I suspect I will be clearing snow or continuing to work in the woods.

What can I do to insure my tractor starts regularly and how long do they need to warm up? It will be stored in an unheated enclosure.

Is there a block heater available?
Is there such a thing as a hydraulic fluid heater?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

A nice battery tender as mentioned or a solar panel tender. I use the solar. Bout it when you get to the point of changing the fluids use a lighter oil in the hydraulics. Mine is an all season multi grade iirc?
It will warm up much faster and the BH/FEL will work much quicker. I would ask your dealer what he recommends. I don't have my container here or I'd post it.

Mine is in an out building without heat too. I also start it once a week and let her run. I also use a additive to the fuel. So it doesn't gel up.

These are fun for snow removal , my neighbors love me. I do about five driveways when we get dumped on. Leave the hoe on or at least I do for traction.
I also use Cetane boost - or diesel clean w/cetane. Seems to help. Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economy

 

[Tom59]

I have an inline radiator heater that works well. I just plug it in for about 10 minutes and cycle the plugs once and she starts. It doesn't take long to get it heated up and we get fairly cold here in Nebraska.

They have magnetic block heaters that would warm the transmission but I have not found that I need it yet.

As far as warming up the manual says:

"WARMING UP IN COLD WEATHER
Cold weather will change the viscosity of the oil, resulting in a reduced oil pumping capacity, which can cause damage to the engine if it is not warmed up correctly.
It also causes problems with the hydraulic system and the synchromesh in the transmission.

Correct times for warming up are:
32ｰF~14ｰF 20~30 min.
Above 50ｰF 5~10 min.
Below ?ｰF Over 40 min."

I think these times are fairly unrealistic!

Oh yeah, make sure you have a good battery. Try using a battery tender.

Exactly- you have to re-fuel before actually using the machine. Mine never runs that long .....dead of winter maybe a few minutes longer. I'd say a 7-10 minute wait is fine, then jack RPM's as she warms fully. No way its 20-30 minutes? 40? Please , maybe in antartica pre-global warming. lol

 

[lee maxted]

Re: Winter Preparations - 273

This will be my first winter with my 273. I have a FEL and backhoe and living in New England I suspect I will be clearing snow or continuing to work in the woods.

What can I do to insure my tractor starts regularly and how long do they need to warm up? It will be stored in an unheated enclosure.

Is there a block heater available?
Is there such a thing as a hydraulic fluid heater?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

TYM has a block heater available. Part No. BH11447. I googled TYM and that was their response. Available from your dealer. I'm going to contact mine as the high here today is about O deg. Wish the dealer would have just installed it from the factory as part of standard eqpt. (or at least mentioned it before I took delivery) Although - I do keep a small battery charger on it during the cold weather and that helps alot.