Cold Feet

[Iplayfarmer]

I actually ran out of snow in my own driveway the other night after about 30 minutes. I had to go to the neighboors' driveways and then accross town to some friends' houses before I racked up 3 hours of snow moving. Also, remember that I am still on a bit of a learning curve. This was the first time that used my box blade for moving snow. As light as my tractor is, it took some practice to make it work. (In the end I got to where I was filling the box blade up so far that snow was spilling over the top.) I have used just the FEL after previous snow storms this winter.

I've got plenty of experience in the cold. I've been camping often when it's 20 degrees below zero (I was a scout master for a while.)

When I'm moving snow, I wear insulated coveralls, a stocking cap, plenty of layers on my torso, and good, insulated gloves. If I need it I also have some thick insulated boots, and an even heavier winter coat. There are three reasons I'd like to find something other than the thicker coat and boots.

1) The boots are big enough and my little grey market tractor small enough that I'm afraid I wouldn't have any room to move the clutch or brake. Those sorrels can get kind of "clunky".
2) Where I use the box blade and the loader, I am constantly turning around. A thick coat would make this more difficult.
3) I don't want to spend more time dressing up than I actaully spend moving the snow.

The rest of me does actaully stay pretty warm. I'm like Bob. My feet can be cold even when the rest of me is sweating.

There are some great suggestions so far. Does anyone have a link to these canvas curtains that have been mentioned? Are these something available commercially, or is it something that you have to have custom made?

 

[MarlandS]

Way back in the days of open station self-propelled combines the guys used to attach heater hose to the engine and make a coil on the platform to put their feet on. Probably wouldn't work in your situation but it is useless trivia from the days of old. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Egon]

Chances are you would have to make the canvas curtains. It should not be difficult. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

 

[DFW]

It's ironic that this post came up. All summer long when I would use my tractor, the hot blast from the engine was almost too much to tolerate. Just before the holidays my wife got her truck stuck in the mud at a neighbors house. I tried pulling her out with my truck and proceeded to get it stuck even worse. The temp the next day was around 40 and I needed to take the tractor for a two mile ride to get my truck unstuck. I thought, gee I roasted during the summer, I should be toasty warm riding over to my truck, not!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif So where do all of that heat go that I thought I would get to keep me warm??? (rhetorical question). BTW, my feet get cold real easy as well.

cheers,

 

[George2615]

It may be cumbersome wearing heavy boots but like some others said wool socks, a good hat, and a good pair of insulated boots will certainly help. I bought a pair of LaCrosse brand boots from Agway when they were local and I only wear them in real cold weather or if I'm going to be outside a long time. Anything above 25 deg. and my feet will start to sweat in them. If that type boot is too much get a good insulated pair of work boots. When you try on a pair to buy wear thick wool socks so you end up with a larger size boot.
Or if you have the room to mount it, Northern Tool sells a heater with blower that ties into your tractor hot water line.

 

[BigDogues]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Or if you have the room to mount it, Northern Tool sells a heater with blower that ties into your tractor hot water line. )</font>

That sounds interesting. I don't suppose you have a link to that item. I looked but I can't find it. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[George2615]

I just looked through my catalog from Northern and could not find the cab heater I mentioned in the previous post. My apologies. I do remember seeing it in a previous Northern catalog. I also thought TSC carried them but couldn't find it in their catalog either.

I did do another search and found cab heaters at Curtiscab.com. Several tractors are listed but I think most are a universal type. I have what is called a bypass hose on my tractor (about 5/8 - 3/4" dia. Like a heater hose inlet/outlet) that this heater would hook up to. Then would wire up to the 12v side of the ignition key.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

If any of you have one of these canvas curtains, please post a picture. I'd like to see one to see how it's made.

 

[Egon]

Lots of hits on Google for " Heat Houser "

Just one site. web page

They do not have to quite as fancy as the ones shown.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BigDogues]

No problem, thanks for checking. I saw the one at Curtis and another at the Sims site. I like the design of design of the Curtis heater box better. Seems to be a little more compact and those directional vents are a big plus! Unfortunately Curtis does not make a kit for my tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif