no heater; no charger & expectin' 15 below 0!

5030 · Jan 8, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

Will:

Actually, it is pretty safe. That's how I used to start my Cummins in my Freightliner. Just so long as the oil pan and block is not covered with oil. It might catch on fire. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I've seen a tarp over an engine and a salamander shoved in the fron too. That works. Of course you need juice to run the salamander. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

kevinj · Jan 8, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

Them old come-a-parts were some mean starting engines if they were not plugged in !!! The only good thing about the old 318 Detroit was with a purple pill and a good battery you could start it.

frank_f15 · Jan 8, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

yep i do carry short handeld scoop shovel in the car also, in the back seat i have a soft bristle push broom, so much easier to clean snow off the cars. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Old_Hickory · Jan 9, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

( You could always build a small fire under the oil pan to warm it up. )

When I was a kid our school bus driver tried that and set the(new) school bus on fire and burnt all of the wiring up on the motor. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

rambler · Jan 9, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

Ok, 15 below F is right down there. You needed the PS in before it got that cold & run the tractor a few minutes, to mix in with the fuel & be in the filter. If it's this cold, I hope you have a winter blend to start with, #2 starts to gel at 25 degrees - it's asking a lot for Power Service to make up 40 degrees - can do it, but you need it mixed in before it's that cold.

If your fuel is properly treated in time, and if you start your tractor most every day, and if you have winter oil and a good battery it should fire up for you. You might have to cycle the preheater a few times - a good battery is needed for that. The suggestion of taking the battery in to a heated area, and same with the oil, is good.

A small charger is not that expensive....

Let us know how it turns out.

--->Paul

kensfarm · Jan 9, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

If you have an enclosed shed for the tractor.. leaving the lights on will keep it somewhat warmer inside.

herbenus · Jan 9, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

"but I can't imagine living in cold weather without a charger" It doesn't have to be cold to need a charger. I'm down in Texas and use my charger a lot, mostly for stubborn batteries on lawnmowers, but also when the truck or tractor battery is getting up in age. We don't have 15 below down here, but if we did I'd stay inside, with or without my battery by my side. We only get "cold" two weeks out of every two years.

JDgreen227 · Jan 9, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

"Two weeks out of every two years".....I would love to reside in a climate like that but have lived in the mid-Michigan area all my life and that's where the family is and that's where I will stay, I guess. Been down as low at 6 degrees here but I have block heaters on the car, SUV, and JD plus chargers on the trailer, ATV's, and garden tractor. You can NEVER have too many starting aids no matter where you live !!

tc35dforme · Jan 9, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

Wahoooooo !! It just hit 0.1 F. Bottomed at -9.6 F last night....expecting colder tonight.

I'm going to bottle up some of this cold and then sell it on Ebay in the summer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Jan 9, 2004

Re: no heater; no charger & expectin\' 15 below 0!

( I'm going to bottle up some of this cold and then sell it on Ebay in the summer )

I'd buy about 90 days worth. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif