Very Cold Weather Starting

[MikeD74T]

John_Bud, I'm with you - cold doesn't even start until 0F. MikeD74T

 

[slofr8]

I have a '85 305DT. I was going to see how it started in cold weather before I buy a blower. I'm in northern Maine and it was getting hard to start below 20F (not -20F but we'll see that soon enough). Well this wasn't going to work, so I put in a heater that warms up the anti freeze this week. $35 and it starts like summer. Can't imagine not having one. I'm sure it takes a lot of the wear and tear out of a cold weather start.
Dan.

 

[NoTrespassing]

To what Tractor or SO ?

Traded up on my SO. She is from overseas just like my tractor...LOL

 

[vrex]

I can tell you what we did in Siberia, during the several winters I spent there - just don't ever turn it off! Use the cold grade of diesel, and once temps drop below -30, don't turn it off. That will hold you to at least -67, as far as I know

Vince

 

[bigdad]

Get a block heater. It'll start like July! Just make sure to warm up the hydraulics after it starts.

 

[fish6942]

Just make sure to warm up the hydraulics after it starts.

That's the part that I always wonder about. What method of warming the hydraulics is easiest on the machine?

Last time I used the tractor, the garage it's kept in was about 10F. I plugged in the block heater and after about 2 hours the engine was at operating temp before I turned the key. Nice!!

 

[RobJ]

On my old MF 203 without glow plugs we just spray starter fluid into the intake and it starts instantly so far no ill effects

So Far!!

Ouch, I'd rather use the glow plugs.