cold starting -9 F

[mcfarmall]

Why not keep the engine block heater plugged in all the time during cold spells? We have a diesel generator with a block heater that runs 24-7-365 days a year. Keeps the engine at around 100 degrees year round.

 

[iflywhatevr]

Why not keep the engine block heater plugged in all the time during cold spells? We have a diesel generator with a block heater that runs 24-7-365 days a year. Keeps the engine at around 100 degrees year round.

You certainly can but unlike a standby generator that may be called into service at any time with zero notice most people know when they will be using their tractors for the most part. They use quite a bit of power so only plugging them in when needed can save some serious cash over an entire winter.

 

[marchanna]

I usually run the block heater for a few hours prior. I have remote controlled receptacles too. It’s certainly a nice way of doing things. Leaving the block heater on all the time can get pretty costly - around here running 750-watt heater 24 hours a day will cost you about $80 a month. A remote receptacle only costs $40.

White smoke is pretty normal on a cold start. A little cetane booster and multi grade motor oil helps the cold starts also.

 

[MHarryE]

We have had several days in a row with lows between -30 and -40. We have 2 farms with cattle needing to be fed daily. Each has a tractor plugged in 24/7 - except when being used. My nephew’s method is to start tractor after milking, have breakfast, then go out and use it. My cousin similar, starts tractor, hand feeds indoor stock, then uses tractor. Never had any block heater problems. Run #1 diesel without treatment. My place is in the middle, no cattle, CUT that fits in my heated garage. I don’t experience winter.

 

[otlski]

I tried moving my wheelbarrow yesterday, and it was frozen solid to the ground. I should have bought the same brand you did!

Make certain you start your wheelbarrow in reverse first. You do not want to end up in it.

 

[jbrumberg]

^^^^ Awesome visual Thanks for the laugh. In subzero temperatures how long should I run the preheater on my wheelbarrow?

Respect the "Torque": Wheelbarrow Face Plant - YouTube

 

[shooterdon]

If it is too cold to start a tractor, it is too cold to push a wheelbarrow. Add some snow, and it sounds unreasonable.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Last week I used a drop light with a 60W bulb to thaw some residual water left in the main water supply coming in from the well. It took about 30 minutes to thaw. Over the weekend I left the tractor out overnight in sub zero temps and had the fuel gel up on me. Wished I had thought about the droplight trick.

In the 50s we went to a mountain cabin often in the winter and the pipes were always frozen. Put 6 candles in the crawl space for a hour and bingo they all un-froze.

Ron

 

[D2Cat]

In the 50s we went to a mountain cabin often in the winter and the pipes were always frozen. Put 6 candles in the crawl space for a hour and bingo they all un-froze.

Ron

So the solution was to burn the cabin down?

 

[iflywhatevr]

So the solution was to burn the cabin down?

Works every time!!