Wilds of North Idaho

[fogwoman]

I live out in the woods near Priest Lake in the beautiful northern panhandle of Idaho. I have a 20 acre place, lots of trees, a little creek, some riparian habitat with a small meadow area.

The winters of 2007-8 and 2008-9 pretty much traumatized me, burying the cabin and requiring me to shovel several times a day/night. Last winter was nothing, but this year is forecast to be another big Idaho winter.

So, I just bought a Ford 861 and I've been practicing like a mad woman for the last 2 weeks, pushing/dragging dirt and mulch around, and using the bucket to create a large burn pile and tote firewood out of the forest. I go pretty slow and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it.

QUESTION 1: starting it in cold weather. An artic blast is on its way and we're going sub-zero in another day or so. The tractor is a 6v. I put a new battery in; I have a 6v charger that I can attach if it needs extra oomph, and I also have a magnetic oil pan heater on it all the time. It sits in an open shed. Do you think she'll start ok? I'm only about 10 years older than the tractor and I have a pretty hard time starting up in the morning myself!!

QUESTION 2: I'm really gonna need some lights. Will headlamps and rear work lights be too much? I think the generator is okay.

Thanks in advance. And oh by the way, I'm really really having a great time driving my tractor around. Not bad for a 63 year old city girl, eh?

 

[Muhammad]

Hello fogwoman, welcome to TBN! Glad to see you posting. Hope you enjoy being a member of our community.

 

[yooper1]

Hello and welcome to TBN

I am sure you will find all the advice you need here.

 

[foggy1111]

Welcome to TBN fogwoman!

I'm going to take a shot at your questions to get some discussion going....but there are a few good Ford tractor guys that may be of better help.

1. If you get below 0 F you could have some problems getting started in an open shed. Best would be if you had some kind of block heater to plug in for an hour or two prior to starting. That magnetic oil pan heater is sure helpful....I have one of those too...but it may not be enough?? A good battery and a recent tune up also helps.

Added: If you NEED to get it started in COLD weather.....nothing compares to having a block heater. I would HIGHLY recommend one. (also commonly called frost plug heater. A tank-heater or hose heater have also been used by some....anything to heat your engine block)

2. Headlights were standard on those tractors and one or two rear work lights should not be a problem IMO.

Soundguy is a Ford "expert" you may want to PM him or track him down for some definite opinions....but keep in mind he lives in the "banana belt" and may not understand COLD weather. :laughing: Others have some recent experience with 'em too (mine is dated ).

I admire your courage out there in the Mountains. I hunted in the Panhandle some years back....near the Bob. Got my elk too. :licking::thumbsup:

 

[Egon]

If no Block or Inline heater throw a tarp over the engine and place an electric heater with fan under the engine. :thumbsup:

If the tractor is Diesel you may want to add some fuel conditioner. [I'm assuming it's gas]

Chains may be a real advantage if two wheeled drive as I assume it is.

Having a come along may also be advisable in case you get stuck.

Idaho = nice country:thumbsup:

 

[flowerfarmer]

Welcome neighbor! I know nothing of Ford tractors but just want to say howdy.

 

[sixdogs]

Fresh oil (10W30 for winter) and a couple of those magnetic heaters would be nice along with a cover over the hood. We used a lower radiater hose heater as well that heated the coolant and it made a big difference.
Plus we brought the battery inside during real cold or windy/cold weather.
You might need chains as well plus some weight on the tractor if you can.
A plow truck, or friend with one is a better idea. As well, we just stayed put during big storms and plowed when temps rose and wind died down.
Keep us updated during the bad weather so we can see how it's going.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Welcome to TBN!!!

 

[fogwoman]

Hey everyone -- THANKS for the suggestions! I ended up with 2 magnetic oil pan heaters, a 75 watt trouble light aimed at the battery/engine block, and tarped it all down. Started up ok at plus 5 degrees and I got the critical chores done. Tonight's going down to -20 and that's just too cold to do much of anything other than keep the fire going!

 

[DIRTROAD]

I was out in your area last year around this time. It is a very beautiful place and very very different from the Carolinas.

I think what I enjoyed the most about that area is walking into a eating joint and ordering. They would just look at me funny and try to figure out what I was saying due to my southern accent.:laughing:

welcome