PowerTrac Cold Weather Heaters....

[ernemats]

Does it have to be put on like that I don't know that I would want it on there all the time

 

[Frank Sorbello]

The pad is in the inside of the tub. Not sure why you wouldn't want it on there all the time if it going start your machine with out all the hassle in the winter.

 

[MossRoad]

Does it have to be put on like that I don't know that I would want it on there all the time

We used to install airplane engine heaters very similar to this 25+ years ago. They stayed on all the time. Inside the tub would be safe and sound... and convenient.

 

[MossRoad]

The Kohler started right up at 4F this morning with no extra assistance. One turn of the key. 1/2 throttle. No choke. Start cranking until it coughed then increased choke till it popped. Took about 6-7 seconds of cranking. Reduced choke until it sputtered then increased choke to smooth idle. Its got to be something with the compression VS starter torque VS available spark VS thickness of oil VS temperature VS battery strength VS battery cable size VS....... Lots of variables. Maybe the simpler solution is the glue on heater and be done with it.

 

[ponytug]

Yes, MR, you have nailed the essence of it: Bottom line, lots to play with.
Starter torque(&power) is related to the starter, the amps, which makes it dependent upon the battery, battery cables, and connections.
Engine speed is related to the starter speed (as a result of the torque), the viscosity of the hydraulic oil, and the viscosity of the engine oil, both of which is dependent on temperature.
Ignition is dependent on coil voltage and current (i.e. power) which is dependent on spark plug gap, and cleanliness, and ignition wire integrity and connections, engine speed, which drives compression, which drives temperature, which warms the spark plug which reduces resistance to ignition...
Oh yeah, and all of that fuel/air stuff including mixing, and air temperature that are necessary to actually ignite.

I'm always amazed that engines run. Or maybe that my engines run.

Now all one has to do is decide what you want to spend money on...
I've certainly "fixed" a few engines by using better coils and ignition systems, even without changing wires. I've had other ones that were very, very particular on the ignition wire quality for smooth running, and ones that basically required a lighter to preheat the spark plugs to get the car to start. YMMV.

I can't believe the snow in the northeast;
What Record-Breaking Snow Really Looks Like - The Atlantic

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

WOW! PT425 won't do 7'.... 6' would be no problem though... :laughing:

 

[ernemats]

I have had to change the coils on my 422, and I know the pad does not take up a lot of room but I needed every bit of room there is in the tub to change the coils. My 422 has pump in front of motor

 

[SpringHollow]

I have piles well over 12' high before i push the top back. But that is getting harder to do. Some of the piles are now 20' or more deep at the base and my PT won't push those back. I have to scrape along the face of the pile pushing up as i go then lower the snow plow to be more horizontal while still maintaining pressure against the pile. Then I can usually push the top over.

Having a plow on the loader arms is a wonderful thing. I plow some of the neighbors and can push their berms and piles back. The PU's that are plowing are not able to push the snow over the berms that form so those driveways are getting narrow.

Ken

 

[Bigger mike]

Switched out oils to 0-w-50 synthetics . And put on the heater that terry told me to get, and still no go on easy starts. Still an hour on the turbo heater and a jump helps, it's better, but not close to good. As you gents have stated before- pt needs to get a conversion kit to go back to the kholers. I have 2 - 2425's with the kholers and have better starting by far, and a third with the suburb junk, nothing but a money pit when it's cold out. Let's all get on there case and bug them into selling this conversion kit and would gladly trade our first born for one. Northern usa needs our old engines back, that start in the cold.

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Mike, not sure an hour is quite long enough. I know what you mean about the Kohlers. I told Terry I would buy a new 425 today if it had a kohler in it. My questions is why will the kohlers start when the subarus won't under the same conditions. Do your kohlers have heat issues too?