Frozen very worried

[Slowpoke Slim]

Mine sits outside year round. We call your temperatures "spring time" up here. I don't plug anything in on my tractor in "spring time". It starts fine. I do have a block, oil pan, and hydro sump heater I plug in (on a timer) during winter. But the timer only runs the heaters for a few hours in the morning so I can start it up if I have to push snow to get out. The rest of the day, if the tractor's just going to sit, it sits with none of those heaters "on" (timer is off).

Nothing for you to worry about. Enjoy your tractor.

 

[Coyote machine]

Your best maintenance method is to have a battery warmer, that is a heating pad which sits under the batteries. When plugged in runs when the temp outside it too cold for your tractor, generator(s) to constantly be exposed to cold temps, especially without use for long periods. I have them on both of my propane whole house generators, so there is little chance when a power failure occurs that they won't start.
In addition, you should be using 'CUT' (winterized) diesel fuel, have drained your water/fuel bowl and have a clean fuel filter installed before winter hits.
One can also install a battery disconnect switch at the battery post to keep the battery from draining down from transient leaks in the electrical system. It can also deter theft by having the electrical system disconnected from battery power. Most ALL brands use the same key for all tractors of their brand, unlike a car/truck with an actual unique 'start' switch.
battery disconnect switch autozone - Google Search

Since it's outside, add a block of wood under a plow blade or anything touching ground, so it can't freeze to the ground.

Run the glow plugs 2 times before cranking the engine to allow for extra preheating of the combustion chamber too.

 

[fried1765]

Mine sits outside year round. We call your temperatures "spring time" up here. I don't plug anything in on my tractor in "spring time". It starts fine. I do have a block, oil pan, and hydro sump heater I plug in (on a timer) during winter. But the timer only runs the heaters for a few hours in the morning so I can start it up if I have to push snow to get out. The rest of the day, if the tractor's just going to sit, it sits with none of those heaters "on" (timer is off).

Nothing for you to worry about. Enjoy your tractor.

To quote Oosik in post#10: "OUT OF THE SUN is an enormous factor"
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!
I am currently searching for a SHED KEPT low hour 2004-2009 Kubota L48 TLB.

 

[ultrarunner]

Lots of the old-timers would block the radiator and cover the engine and protect the battery from the wind... never seemed to hurt and in real cold country the old diesels had a shade mechanism to cover a portion of the radiator... once in a while I see some big rigs with partial grill covers...

Dad always talked about McCloud... I think he worked up there one summer and remarked on the beauty of the area...

 

[Looking4new]

Lots of the old-timers would block the radiator and cover the engine and protect the battery from the wind... never seemed to hurt and in real cold country the old diesels had a shade mechanism to cover a portion of the radiator... once in a while I see some big rigs with partial grill covers...

Those are called 'winter fronts'.
I use a piece of corrugated cardboard across the front of mine in winter. Just keep a close eye on the coolant temperature, is all you gotta do IF you run a winter front.

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ My Grandfather had one on his Diesel Tractor... he said it really helped in the deep winter operation.

 

[Looking4new]

Detroit Diesels didn't make very much heat in winter, so you would put your winter front on in late fall and just regulate the opening in it according to how cold it was outside and how hot the engine was running.
Back when I was too cheap to put in a winter thermostat in my gassers, I would put a winter front on them. Now the winter front is worth more than the costs associated with changing the thermostat, so I put in a 190° thermostat and be done with it.

 

[LouNY]

When it's cold out I keep my "expensive" winter cover over the radiator opening ( a plastic trash bag).
When the temps are under 40F it will not overheat even with all of the grill covered,
and the transmission/hydraulic fluid runs much warmer, the lines are nice to put your hands on,
so not hot by any means.
As far as starting in the upper teens it shouldn't need any block heaters, it will start nicer with it
and reach operating temps sooner.

 

[Cougsfan]

To this day I have a specially cut piece of card board cut to the size of the face of the radiator for my '96 Dodge diesel 1 ton. It has about a 8 inch diameter hole cut in the center to allow some air flow. I put it in during the winter. Without it the defroster has a hard time keeping the windows clear. That piece of cardboard is probably 15 years old. I probably should change the thermostat, but have never got around to it.