Cold Weather Question

[Thomas]

If I,I put battery tender on battery also little anti gel.
Block heater?? if so good hour or so before use,after start up good 10-15 min warm up before,than slowly exercise FEL and 3 point hitch.

 

[JDL538]

I don't know if they still sell them ,but I use a electric dip stick that warms the oil...It works well in cold weather.

 

[coolreinfarm]

I don't know if they still sell them ,but I use a electric dip stick that warms the oil...It works well in cold weather.

Kats makes them, buy on Amazon!

 

[3930dave]

Given that you have a fairly windproof enclosure, w/o installing a block heater I'd stick with running the space heater for a couple of hours before starting - if your glow plugs and battery are healthy, then that should be all you need.

I picked up a magnetic style heater for optional heat - suitable if you have a flat area for it to stick to. Immersion heater elements work somewhat better, but inside an enclosure, a magnetic heater will also transfer and radiate heat to the tractor.

Amazon.com: Kat's 116 3-Watt Magnum Handi-Heat Magnetic Heater: Automotive

If you have 'em already, floodlights or IR lamps can be a simple way to soak some heat into an engine. CAUTION - careful attention is needed esp. with high-wattage bulbs - easy to damage wiring or plastic panels if bulbs are too close.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Might have been mentioned already......

If you can fit it in physically, hard to go wrong with an electric battery-blanket - provides some heat directly to the battery, and is relatively low-wattage so it doesn't get your utility meter spinning too fast if left plugged in long-term....

Rgds, D.

 

[tcreeley]

Good to get a block heater installed. I'm in Hudson, ME and your temps are similar to what I get. I've got the tractor in a shelterlogic. I leave it plugged in all winter, no battery tender. The diesel they sell locally is already adjusted for winter use.

Your battery will be doing the work- a tender sounds good and a cover over the tractor and a space heater. (be careful of fire.)
I used to use a magnetic block heater on a 48 Farmall Cub I had - worked sort of, not efficient.

Go to start it when the sun has been shining a few hours! Helps. The closer to 20F the easier it will start!

 

[hiker88]

The Internet has spoken, and I have listened.


Thank you everyone, maybe I'll update the thread w\a cold start report.

 

[LouNY]

A lower radiator heater will work but the install is critical it needs to go in a section of hose that slopes up to the engine with no pockets or traps, if placed in a flat section close to the radiator guess where th heat is going. A block heater is a bit more efficient and usually not much more difficult to install, either one will involve working with cold anti freeze in cold temperature.
good luck

 

[hiker88]

A lower radiator heater will work but the install is critical it needs to go in a section of hose that slopes up to the engine with no pockets or traps, if placed in a flat section close to the radiator guess where th heat is going. A block heater is a bit more efficient and usually not much more difficult to install, either one will involve working with cold anti freeze in cold temperature.
good luck

Thanks for the insight; makes sense.

The interesting thing was I spoke w\two local dealers and neither advocated the block heater. One was kind of vague, the other said if you drill out the cap, you run the risk of filings in the block, and when you punch it out, you are very close to the cylinder head wall. He said they almost exclusively do the in line unless the customer is adamant. Maybe less liability for them? I'm pretty sure I have a section w\some upslope, so I am hoping this is better than nothing.

 

[MHarryE]

My RTV900XT gets used about once weekly. Haven't been above zero in over a week and as cold as -42. I have Howes in mine and no problem starting and running although I didn't try on the -42 morning. I wish it had a block heater but I survive without one.