Extreme cold

[MHarryE]

I live in Northern MN, have had 1 morning colder than -40 this week, has been colder than -30 for 6 mornings but this morning a balmy -18. Have IH from M to 4386 all sitting outside no heat. Have a Kubota M110GX that gets plugged in before morning chores to use for feeding. A New Holland TS75 plugged in same time if needed for grinder mixer. That's it. Couple hours block heater on tractors for the ones used. The rest, 11 more tractors, sit outside because we don't have cover.

 

[Marauder]

Ok, all this being said does it hurt to try to start it without a heater? My Kioti doesn't have a block heater but I was thinking of putting an old heating pad on it or would a little space heater/blanket over top work better? Where would be the best place to direct the space heater? Or is it not needed at all?

 

[rmonio]

I, too, was worried about this and solved it (I believe) by having block and hydraulic heaters. The only thing I was never confident of was whether I could keep them plugged in for an extended period of time. For now I have them on a wifi-enabled outlet and turn it on or turn it off several hours before we use the tractor.

I’ve also noticed that fuel plays a role. I had an issue last year where we had extreme temperatures (-20 or worse with a 40mph wind) that caused the fuel to gel up. I changed out the fuel filter, put in more treatment, and the problem went away after flushing it through. I’m blessed with two diesel/tractor mechanics for son-in-laws now so things get fixed for me.

 

[rmonio]

I live in Northern MN, have had 1 morning colder than -40 this week, has been colder than -30 for 6 mornings but this morning a balmy -18. Have IH from M to 4386 all sitting outside no heat. Have a Kubota M110GX that gets plugged in before morning chores to use for feeding. A New Holland TS75 plugged in same time if needed for grinder mixer. That's it. Couple hours block heater on tractors for the ones used. The rest, 11 more tractors, sit outside because we don't have cover.

My tractors are in a pole shed - out of the wind. I guess I’m lucky that way.

I also live in Minnesota, too.

 

[RESINC]

Hello. Many of you, we are settling into extreme cold here in the far north. I don’t usually worry about things like this, but when the temperatures go down well below zero and stay there, I’m a bit worried about a couple of my tractors. I have a farmall 656 gas And a Farmall 856 diesel that are in an open front unheated shed. They of course have antifreeze in the cooling system, but I have not tested it. The gas has a circulating coolant heater and the diesel has a freeze plug heater. I have them both plugged in and just sitting there; I don’t plan on using them. My thought was to keep the heaters on during the worst of the cold. Is this a good idea? Do you guys ever do that? any other tips for extreme cold? Thanks.

That's strange. I thought AL Gore said we'd all be dead from global warming by now??

Hello. Many of you, we are settling into extreme cold here in the far north. I don’t usually worry about things like this, but when the temperatures go down well below zero and stay there, I’m a bit worried about a couple of my tractors. I have a farmall 656 gas And a Farmall 856 diesel that are in an open front unheated shed. They of course have antifreeze in the cooling system, but I have not tested it. The gas has a circulating coolant heater and the diesel has a freeze plug heater. I have them both plugged in and just sitting there; I don’t plan on using them. My thought was to keep the heaters on during the worst of the cold. Is this a good idea? Do you guys ever do that? any other tips for extreme cold? Thanks.

That's strange. I was told we'd all be dead from global warming by now.

 

[rmonio]

Yep…. Shocking isn’t it?

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Hello. Many of you, we are settling into extreme cold here in the far north. I don’t usually worry about things like this, but when the temperatures go down well below zero and stay there, I’m a bit worried about a couple of my tractors. I have a farmall 656 gas And a Farmall 856 diesel that are in an open front unheated shed. They of course have antifreeze in the cooling system, but I have not tested it. The gas has a circulating coolant heater and the diesel has a freeze plug heater. I have them both plugged in and just sitting there; I don’t plan on using them. My thought was to keep the heaters on during the worst of the cold. Is this a good idea? Do you guys ever do that? any other tips for extreme cold? Thanks.

Get a coolant tester and make sure your tractors meet the requirement. Make sure all joints are properly greased (cold and friction are deadly enemies.) Make sure your battery is good. (Test or replace.) I have an engine block heater that I typically plug in at breakfast time, and when I'm done working at noon, the tractor is warmed up and easy to start. If you're really worried about engine freezing, keep the block heater plugged in all the time when not in use. Be warned, that will raise your electric bill.

 

[Bigmuddyriver]

Hello. Many of you, we are settling into extreme cold here in the far north. I don’t usually worry about things like this, but when the temperatures go down well below zero and stay there, I’m a bit worried about a couple of my tractors. I have a farmall 656 gas And a Farmall 856 diesel that are in an open front unheated shed. They of course have antifreeze in the cooling system, but I have not tested it. The gas has a circulating coolant heater and the diesel has a freeze plug heater. I have them both plugged in and just sitting there; I don’t plan on using them. My thought was to keep the heaters on during the worst of the cold. Is this a good idea? Do you guys ever do that? any other tips for extreme cold? Thanks.

A friend of mine had his shop burn down because a block heater shorted out and caused the fire.

 

[homey53]

they make cheap gauges that will tell you what the coolant will survive, if your that worried I would buy one

Less han $10 at most any auto parts store.

 

[Rhino35]

I'll jump in here now that the OP's question has been addressed to ask experienced winter tractor drivers if, when it is zero F, there are other concerns about working open air tractors to plow snow? There is the human factor that bundling up can address (to a point - how long?), but are there mechanical concerns during operation?

I have rim guard loaded rear tires in my Kioti 41 HP tractor (HST - go, stop and reverse pedals) and would be starting the tractor at 40 degrees F and then creeping out of garage to let warm up.

 

[LittleBill21]

I'll jump in here now that the OP's question has been addressed to ask experienced winter tractor drivers if, when it is zero F, there are other concerns about working open air tractors to plow snow? There is the human factor that bundling up can address (to a point - how long?), but are there mechanical concerns during operation?

I have rim guard loaded rear tires in my Kioti 41 HP tractor (HST - go, stop and reverse pedals) and would be starting the tractor at 40 degrees F and then creeping out of garage to let warm up.

there is no issue, the tractor is warmer then it was in the garage shut off.

 

[Mackle]

We are in for the cold here too. Tomorrow -15f hi temp with -45 wind chills. I don't plug in the engine block heater unless I plan to use the tractor. The heater does not have a thermostat and can possibly burn out from extended use.
My dealer said to plug in an hour or so prior to starting and no need to run much longer than that. That's what I was told.

My NH block heater burned up when I plugged it in for a month during a cold snap. Also, at 650 watts, it cost an additional $30 to run it for that month. An hour or two will do for starting.

 

[dnw64]

Ok, all this being said does it hurt to try to start it without a heater? My Kioti doesn't have a block heater but I was thinking of putting an old heating pad on it or would a little space heater/blanket over top work better? Where would be the best place to direct the space heater? Or is it not needed at all?

I have a block heater, but it died (trips the GFCI). I got a new one but didn't feel like dealing with below 0° metal and antifreeze, so I put a tarp over the hood and stuck a space heater on a chair. The seat of the chair raised the level of the heater to blow right at the engine, and provided a "tent pole" to keep the tarp away from the heater. Seemed to work fine. I had heat in the cab within 10 minutes of an easy start, about the same as with a block heater. Granted, the block heater is 1/3 the wattage and a lot easier to use, but in the situation was glad of the option.

 

[Utopia Texas]

If your antifreeze concentrations are ok I would be more worried about the batteries at those temperatures. The more charged they are the chances of survival are better.

 

[esloser]

Anyone using any additives during the cold weather? Broke out the BX1870 yesterday and it was bogging down and running rough. Was thinking of throwing some Diesel 911 in it to see if that helps any.

 

[mra400ex]

I had a magnetic heater you could stick to the oil pan and it helped on my B8200. I have a L4760 Cab tractor now. Mainly to have your unit out of the wind is a big plus. Also, unless absolutely needed to use on the coldest day, wait a day. We are 5 degrees today. Will get to 33 tomorrow, so I will probably wait a day as to let things be warmer.

 

[Deertamer]

Hello. Many of you, we are settling into extreme cold here in the far north. I don’t usually worry about things like this, but when the temperatures go down well below zero and stay there, I’m a bit worried about a couple of my tractors. I have a farmall 656 gas And a Farmall 856 diesel that are in an open front unheated shed. They of course have antifreeze in the cooling system, but I have not tested it. The gas has a circulating coolant heater and the diesel has a freeze plug heater. I have them both plugged in and just sitting there; I don’t plan on using them. My thought was to keep the heaters on during the worst of the cold. Is this a good idea? Do you guys ever do that? any other tips for extreme cold? Thanks.

I worked in the LTL trucking industry and we left the tractors plugged in when not in use when cold. Spent many cold mornings with starting fluid getting them running. Most would not start if someone forgot to plug one in. I used my John Deer yesterday (no block heater). It has been single digit nights and it was 12 degrees yesterday. I held the glow plug for 15 seconds and it started right up with no difficulties.

 

[1Mech]

Ok, all this being said does it hurt to try to start it without a heater? My Kioti doesn't have a block heater but I was thinking of putting an old heating pad on it or would a little space heater/blanket over top work better? Where would be the best place to direct the space heater? Or is it not needed at all?

If you start it cold, don't run it fast until it warms up a bit. Let it idle a while to get the oils circulating.
Also depends on how cold of a cold you are talking about. Probably not too cold in Ohio, compared to northern Minnesota.
Just don't race the engine for the first minute or two.

 

[garydc]

My suggestion, make sure your antifreeze is good for cold temperature, if it's very old change it out. I used a timer on my tractor set to run for about an hour to an hour and half to shut off about when I planned to use it

 

[dnw64]

Anyone using any additives during the cold weather? Broke out the BX1870 yesterday and it was bogging down and running rough. Was thinking of throwing some Diesel 911 in it to see if that helps any.

I try to have my tank as low as possible going into winter, then buy fuel as late as possible, so that I get full Winter Blend. I then add about double the recommended amount of Howe's. The only time I ever had any problem was when I had done both of the preceding, but then never started the tractor... So the fuel in the lines and filter still had summer blend. A 5-minute stint with a hair dryer took care of that.