johnbilt
Silver Member
Hello All
I got my first rude initiation into winter snowplowing this last week. We received a good dump of snow, over 2 feet, in a few days. Then the winds kicked up to about 50, which blew the stuff into really nice hard drifts up to 4 and 6 feet deep.
I had two problems. One, the temp dropped to -15F, and my filters gelled up and the engine quit. Two, the engine quit as I was stuck in a drift with 2WD only, because the right front tire came off the rim. While cleaning the filters and cranking the engine, eventually the battery died also. Some days are better than others !! Oh well, I enjoy a challenge.
I solved the diesel problem with a Napa product that reliquefies the gelled diesel. I cleaned and filled both filters and was able to get the engine to catch finally. I then refilled the tank with winter diesel and added Powerservice additive to protect down to -40F.
The local diesel pumps only have #2 mixed diesel, rated to -10F. I can personally verify that temp rating....
I was able to put a ratchet strap around the tire and get the bead reseated, so I could drive into the heated shop. I needed the 4WD to get through the drifts. I have had the front tires come off a couple times. This time I let the tires heat up to get rid of the ice and snow crusted into the bead. Then I let all the air out, and cleaned around the bead with a cloth on both sides. I applied a liberal amount of universal tire cement/sealer to the bead on both sides and pumped them up. I set the pressure to 45psi, which is max.
I have been able to run now with no further problems. The pressure drops to about 40psi in the cold. I guess I had the fronts set to only about 25 psi this summer, and when the temp dropped, so did the pressure and I lost the seal at the bead. Hmmm.
Anyone else with this problem ?? These are the industrial R4 tires.
John
I got my first rude initiation into winter snowplowing this last week. We received a good dump of snow, over 2 feet, in a few days. Then the winds kicked up to about 50, which blew the stuff into really nice hard drifts up to 4 and 6 feet deep.
I had two problems. One, the temp dropped to -15F, and my filters gelled up and the engine quit. Two, the engine quit as I was stuck in a drift with 2WD only, because the right front tire came off the rim. While cleaning the filters and cranking the engine, eventually the battery died also. Some days are better than others !! Oh well, I enjoy a challenge.
I solved the diesel problem with a Napa product that reliquefies the gelled diesel. I cleaned and filled both filters and was able to get the engine to catch finally. I then refilled the tank with winter diesel and added Powerservice additive to protect down to -40F.
The local diesel pumps only have #2 mixed diesel, rated to -10F. I can personally verify that temp rating....
I was able to put a ratchet strap around the tire and get the bead reseated, so I could drive into the heated shop. I needed the 4WD to get through the drifts. I have had the front tires come off a couple times. This time I let the tires heat up to get rid of the ice and snow crusted into the bead. Then I let all the air out, and cleaned around the bead with a cloth on both sides. I applied a liberal amount of universal tire cement/sealer to the bead on both sides and pumped them up. I set the pressure to 45psi, which is max.
I have been able to run now with no further problems. The pressure drops to about 40psi in the cold. I guess I had the fronts set to only about 25 psi this summer, and when the temp dropped, so did the pressure and I lost the seal at the bead. Hmmm.
Anyone else with this problem ?? These are the industrial R4 tires.
John