Cold Weather tricks

[bubenberg]

yesterday in 16 degree (F not C) we installed, via magnet for the time being, our heater under the hydraulic reservoir (pauls trick). then we used Charlies airplane suggestion for the engine. that is, blowing air from the dodge ram diesel exhaust onto the engine block of the pt425. as Charlie recommended we used heavy duty vacuum hose to accomplish the trick.
when we thought that it was time to start THE THING, the regular battery pack (Pauls contribution) was attached to the pt battery and after some extended cranking the beasty turned over on the second try. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

A supplemental suggestion re use of shop vac hose to carry exhaust heat.
A foot or so of 2" PVC taped to the hose and inserted into the exhaust pipe will reduce melt of vacuum hose. It did fine 'til I got impatient and took the revs to 2000.
I proved that above idle is too much heat for the hose. Scientific test, don't ya know. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[eambrose]

Hi
Did you mean the 425 not 1425 - There is a car battery that fits in the space? How much faster does it crank the engine?
Do you have the model / or car it fits - I would really like to get a more powerful battery for my brother in laws 425

 

[barrell]

I have the old 1425 from 1994. The tractor was the first to use the 25 hp Khohler. The battery that came with it and I replaced a few times was a small lawn and garden type. It would barely start the engine in 20 degree weather and wouldnt turn it over fast enough around 0 degrees. The new battery turns it over in any temp faster than the small battery did in hot summer weather. Starts instantly!!!!!
Barrell

 

[eambrose]

Hi everyone
does anyone know what car battery will actually fit the 425?
it seems to me that the space is small and I thought only a tractor battery would fit - 800 amp would make a huge difference - I will get one tomorrow and install it for my brother in law if there is one that fits- I can't believe that you have to remove the muffler to get the battery out - that was a poor design mistake

Well looks like a big one is coming for tomorrow night

 

[PatH]

Last winter I spent quite a bit of time experimenting on methods to improve cold weather starting of my 422 before I replaced the ignition coils and solved the problem. The one hint I would provide based on my experience is put whatever heat source you have available directly on the pumps, especially the variable displacement pump. It seemed that the hydraulic tank had too much volume and surface area to allow my 200 watt magnetic heater to do much. But if the heater was applied to the flat side of the variable displacement pump for an hour or two, the cranking speed of the engine was noticeably better.

 

[Egon]

Imagine my surprise that a motor mount had to be removed to replace a fan belt on the wife's car. Took me several hours to convince myself.

Egon

 

[MossRoad]

New Member? Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Trev]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Imagine my surprise that a motor mount had to be removed to replace a fan belt on the wife's car. Took me several hours to convince myself.

Egon )</font>

Eeek! What kind of car does she have? Maybe I'll avoid that model.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[johara1]

i tried the magnet to,the best thing i found was a torpedo heater. i guess the problem is there with all hyd. equipment you need a way to disingage the hyd. pumps till its started.or go to syn. oil in the hyd tank, unless you have a heated building /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif