Winter Tractor Tips – How Do You Handle Snow, Storage, and Maintenance?

[Slowpoke Slim]

The high today is supposed to be +8 F. And we don't consider this "winter" yet. We regularly see temps that stay -30 F and below sometimes for a month or more straight. That's with none of this lying @zz "wind chill" garbage. That's ambient air temps.

My tractor sits in an unheated steel building "the shed" all year. I run synthetic engine oil, hydro oil and front diff oil. Once it starts getting down to around 0 F, I start plugging in my tractor to it's timer. I have it set to come on at 5am, and turn off at 10 or 11am. It stays plugged in for the duration of winter, so that it's ready if I need it. I have a block heater, an oil pan heater and a hydro sump heater all tied to that timer with a 3 way pig tail that stays lashed to my front loader mast.

The tractor will start without being plugged in with one cycle of the glow plugs, even at -40 F. But it has to sit and warm up for 20-30 minutes before I can use it, and I really don't like doing that unless I have no choice (for instance if we got "pounded" with snow while I was at work and I need to clear the driveway when I get home - so timer has been off all day).

But if it's been able to run on the timer for at least 30 min to an hour, I can start it up and move it within a few minutes. Everything works, hydro, hydraulics run just fine.

Since my tractor sits in an unheated building, nothing sticks when I'm moving snow. The blower, or blade and the bucket are already colder than the snow so it doesn't stick.

I just cleared snow yesterday for the first time this year. When I was done I plugged the timer in for the first time this year.

 

[grsthegreat]

The high today is supposed to be +8 F. And we don't consider this "winter" yet. We regularly see temps that stay -30 F and below sometimes for a month or more straight. That's with none of this lying @zz "wind chill" garbage. That's ambient air temps.

My tractor sits in an unheated steel building "the shed" all year. I run synthetic engine oil, hydro oil and front diff oil. Once it starts getting down to around 0 F, I start plugging in my tractor to it's timer. I have it set to come on at 5am, and turn off at 10 or 11am. It stays plugged in for the duration of winter, so that it's ready if I need it. I have a block heater, an oil pan heater and a hydro sump heater all tied to that timer with a 3 way pig tail that stays lashed to my front loader mast.

The tractor will start without being plugged in with one cycle of the glow plugs, even at -40 F. But it has to sit and warm up for 20-30 minutes before I can use it, and I really don't like doing that unless I have no choice (for instance if we got "pounded" with snow while I was at work and I need to clear the driveway when I get home - so timer has been off all day).

But if it's been able to run on the timer for at least 30 min to an hour, I can start it up and move it within a few minutes. Everything works, hydro, hydraulics run just fine.

Since my tractor sits in an unheated building, nothing sticks when I'm moving snow. The blower, or blade and the bucket are already colder than the snow so it doesn't stick.

I just cleared snow yesterday for the first time this year. When I was done I plugged the timer in for the first time this year.

Naaa… you can have those cold temps. I lived in northern Montana for a few years, and the cold drove me out. -60°F is for Eskimos. At least here in North Idaho our winters are cold (22° today), but there not brutal.

 

[Carl_NH]

GRS - do you have a link to those silicone thermal matts and how you attach them? I have a magnetic heater and WIFI timer but it doesn't do much - looking for alternatives. Thanks in advance!

 

[grsthegreat]

GRS - do you have a link to those silicone thermal matts and how you attach them? I have a magnetic heater and WIFI timer but it doesn't do much - looking for alternatives. Thanks in advance!

Mine were made by a company called Wolverene. I have no idea if there still arround, but alot of companies make them now days. Mine came with an adhesive backing. Once installed, i caulked the joint on the sides with silicone to prevent water intrusion. This was back in 2011, and there still working great. They put out alot of heat.

 

[Oaktree]

If you have engine heater turn couple hours before using tractor.

Anti gel can be your best friend during the winter months.

I give under dashboard and engine area good WD40 spraying,so far over the years rodents haven't chew.

If you are using tire chains keep them tight.

I would add a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to that list.

Mine were made by a company called Wolverene. I have no idea if there still arround, but alot of companies make them now days. Mine came with an adhesive backing. Once installed, i caulked the joint on the sides with silicone to prevent water intrusion. This was back in 2011, and there still working great. They put out alot of heat.

Are you referring to those peel & stick electric pads? Was wondering how well they worked. Any particular place you put them? Was thinking bottom of oil pan.

The tractor will start without being plugged in with one cycle of the glow plugs, even at -40 F.

Wow, mine needs 2 or 3 cycles anytime it gets below 25 or so. A 100W incandescent droplight under the hood helps a lot.

In the winter it lives in an unheated but fully enclosed garage.

 

[grsthegreat]

I would add a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to that list.


Are you referring to those peel & stick electric pads? Was wondering how well they worked. Any particular place you put them? Was thinking bottom of oil pan.


Wow, mine needs 2 or 3 cycles anytime it gets below 25 or so. A 100W incandescent droplight under the hood helps a lot.

In the winter it lives in an unheated but fully enclosed garage.

My oil pan is weird, it has 2 drain plugs and is raised in the center. Ill get a picture later on and post it.

So i added 2 strip peal and stick silicone heaters, 120v i dont recall the wattage. Than i added a pad on the rear 3 point 25 gallon hydraulic oil can the powers my front snow blower. All 3 cords plug i to a wifi outlet that i control thru my phone. So i can warm the unit up before i plan on using it. All i know is ive done this since 2010, and the tractor starts way better and the hydraulic drive system is way happier when i heat everything.

 

[Carl_NH]

Thanks GRS - I found and ordered this silicone adhesive heater today. 300 W and will use with my Kasa smart plug wifi. My oil pan is irregular so this should work well.

Robot or human?

 

[grsthegreat]

Ok, i took a few pics. I have one on oil pan, one on tranny to heat hydraulic oil and one on rear 3 point oil tank. If i dont use the hear strips, i can start the engine with glow plugs ( which i replaced this summer as 3 of the 4 had failed), but i would have to let it adle quite awhile to heat up the hydraulic fluid to where it wouldnt groan when moving tractor. With the heat, no groaning.

 

[Carl_NH]

Thanks for the pics GRS - I've got a 5x8" 300 W on order - due before Christmas for the oil pan - once I see how that works may buy another for the transmission once I see how this one works out.

 

[ismilelots]

Hey folks,


Winter’s almost here, and I’m bracing for the usual chaos with snow, ice, and frozen fuel lines. I figured I’d start a thread to swap tips on keeping tractors happy in the cold.


Snow Removal:
I usually grab the front blade for big piles and a rear bucket for smaller stuff, but wet snow is the enemy. Tire chains are lifesavers on ice. Anyone got clever tricks to stop snow from sticking or to save your back from constant pushing?


Storage & Protection:
I’ve tried keeping my tractor in the barn (best option) and under a tarp outside (not as fun when frost covers everything). Battery maintainers are my new best friend. How do you guys protect tractors from frost, critters, or just plain winter misery?


Maintenance:
Cold kills hydraulics and engines if you’re not careful. I check fluids, grease moving parts, and start the tractor a few minutes every few days. Seems silly, but it saves headaches later.


Curious how everyone else survives winter with their tractors. Share your tricks, fails, or even funny stories—I’ll take it all!


Thanks!

For me, I use my tractor year-round for various things so it's worked every few days. For snow removal I use a blade with hydraulic angle on the front and a blade in the back. I've never found a need for chains. If I start slipping, I'll shift down to low and if I have a large pile of wet snow built up, I'll push it to the side and out of my way. I did, however; learn to put it in 4WD BEFORE I begin plowing!
For storage, I've been lucky enough to have a pole barn that's kept at 40 deg for the past few years.
I do check hydro and oil before each use, but I keep my same greasing schedule all year. I also make sure I have anti-gel in the fuel all the time.