Crossing over frozen water in AM

[mx5guy]

Well everyone, I am running on a frozen lake in the morning, about 2500 feet, Black Ice portion is 10" thick along shore and 18" in the deep water area, as I did not want to go ice fishing in a tractor, I checked the Ice thickness every once and a wile, around 15 holes if memory serves me right.

Here is my question, tractor will be tarped with a full tank of fuel, and I will remove battery for two reasons, make it hard to take and trickle charge at home, is there anything else I should do. she may be alone for a few months, 2 and a bit depending on what kind of spring we have, and how bad blackflies may be.

 

[dex3361]

Well everyone, I am running on a frozen lake in the morning, about 2500 feet, Black Ice portion is 10" thick along shore and 18" in the deep water area, as I did not want to go ice fishing in a tractor, I checked the Ice thickness every once and a wile, around 15 holes if memory serves me right.

Here is my question, tractor will be tarped with a full tank of fuel, and I will remove battery for two reasons, make it hard to take and trickle charge at home, is there anything else I should do. she may be alone for a few months, 2 and a bit depending on what kind of spring we have, and how bad blackflies may be.

That would make me nervous. Why are you crossing the Lake? I would be worried to leave my tractor unattended for such a long time. Be careful.

 

[Gittyup]

Treat your fuel with powerservice or the like.

Stay close to shore. Wow!

 

[biggerten]

I would consider plugging the exhaust stack and air intake with steel wool to keep out critters, they also like to chew insulation from wires and the seat. Maybe some mothballs under the tarp will help keep them away. Be sure to remove the steel wool before starting.

 

[MarkV]

Both of my Kubota's have a little bracket to lock the clutch peddle down during long storage. It is to keep the clutch from seizing with rust.

MarkV

 

[Gil Case]

Is that the reason for that little clip? I always wondered, but thought it was dumb question to ask.
Mothballs for sure, the little critters did several hundred dollars of damage to the wiring on my show blower during storage.

 

[dynasim]

I would say to put in something for rats. I have had direct(unhappy) experiences with the creature. Some have suggested napthalene balls in the engine compartment.

Chris

 

[tawilson]

You could tie a buoy with a long line to it just in case.

 

[westcliffe01]

I guess in parts of Canada it is not unusual to only be able to move in heavy equipment during the depth of winter, when the frozen ground permits the surface of lakes and bogs to carry the weight of the equipment. Thus you move the equipment from A-B at the coldest time of the year. After the spring thaw, you take a boat to cross the water to use the equipment for the intended purpose (which is why it may be left isolated in the intervening period). When the work is done, you wait for the next deep winter to bring the equipment back.

Reading the website of the King Of Obsolete, this seems to be the way he recovers the majority of his equipment that was sunk through the ice sometimes decades before, or abandoned by mining companies when they cease working the claim. One time he had to make a road across the ice by plowing all the snow off the crust of ice on a lake, so that the ice depth would be maximized by the cold air. This allowed him to recover a dragline, which was a very heavy piece of equipment from an abandoned mining claim.

If the tractor is a diesel, it may be prudent to crack the injector lines a touch, to the point that they will not build up pressure, so that someone wanting to go "joyriding" would have a hard time getting it to start even if they had a battery. Or disconnect the supply line to the injector pump so that it airlocks, basically anything that will cause the engine not to start without needing to some good troubleshooting. Of course, only do that if you have the skills to get it running yourself, when you return.

 

[mx5guy]

Well mission accomplished, got across and no incidents, would have like to have chains to go up embankment a good 45 degrees or more, so went up backwards, my son driving tractor and applying brakes as required and me working backhoe pulling us up, was quite the ride. Had snowed last night so roads where wet, and I got a lot of road spay on her, cleaned some off will go a much better job in the spring.

Will put in some moth ball in next week, and bring some fuel stabilizer next weekend when we go up. It痴 a pretty quiet end of the lake, and it would be difficult to go for a joyride with the snow, around a good foot deep in and around the property, My neighbors are up every weekend, and keep an eye on things, plus I have a retired neighbor across the channel who keeps a eye on things even if you don稚 want him to, has called building inspector on a few people so not very well liked, has not bothered me to date. Also disconnected connector for clutch pedal so wont turn over, will stump a lot of people.