Winter..

[jd2305cd]

First winter with my 2305, anything i need to do before winter hits? Going to use for plowing my drive way this winter.

Thanks --Craig

 

[bpattie]

Craig,

There was a recent post, last couple weeks that addressed this issue. I would say do any fluid changes that may be coming up, perhaps using lighter weight oil for Winter, check antifreeze, make sure glow plugs are working, consider adding block heater if you do not have one, and perhaps most important is to use an additive to Winterize your fuel to prevent gelling and raising cetane to aid in starting. You did not say what part of the country you live in and whether Winters are hard or mild. Good luck with your machine this Winter.

 

[sizzami]

I live in vt the winters are hard one thing I have done is get a spare fuel filter and sediment bowl for my tractor I keep one inside the house just in case so I can switch a dry warm one out if I need to.

 

[jd2305cd]

I looked for that other thread, didn't see it though.. At any rate, i am in Upstate NY, winters are cold and snowy.

So for my check list,

Fuel treatment
change oil, lighter weight
possibly spare fuel filter / bowl
check glow plugs

 

[bpattie]

I looked for that other thread, didn't see it though.. At any rate, i am in Upstate NY, winters are cold and snowy.

So for my check list,

Fuel treatment
change oil, lighter weight
possibly spare fuel filter / bowl
check glow plugs

the post I was referring to is under Kubota owning and operating and is still on first page and is called WINTERIZE THE KUBOTA.

 

[ovrszd]

I push with my 2210. I bought V-bar 2-link chains for the rear tires. But I'm on unlevel grades and often on hard packed snow. Would find myself with my nose downhill and unable to back up without chains. I rarely use 4wd when running the chains on the back.

I don't worry so much about the fuel or oil issues but my JD is spoiled and lives in a 70 degree shop. Takes me about an hour to clear snow. My fuel doesn't have time to gel.

 

[studor]

JD -- two other quick thoughts -- plug in heater and thinner hydraulic fluid. While glow plugs work, if you plug in a diesel for a half hour or so it will start a lot better. Sometimes in cold conditions, Hydro fluid takes a while to function properly, hence the lighter grade comment.

 

[jd2305cd]

Thanks for the advice.. Found some stuff in the online manual too, basically engage grow plugs before starting and let her warm up..

Cold Weather Starting Aids

Recommendations:

• Turn key to ON position for 3 seconds to activate glow plugs.

• Install optional engine coolant heater if you operate machine in temperatures below -18? C (0? F).
Warming and Idling the Engine

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! In cold weather, run engine several minutes to allow engine oil and transmission oil to warm.

NOTE: It is normal for the engine to be louder and for blue-white exhaust smoke to be present during engine warm-up. The amount of exhaust smoke depends on air temperature.
Warming Engine:

• Lock the park brake.

• Set hand throttle lever to the 1/2 fast position for 5 minutes without load.
Idling Engine:

• Adjust hand throttle lever rearward to set engine speed at 1200 ± 50 rpm (slow idle speed).

 

[Thomas]

Just read manuel maybe talk w/your dealer and keep the diesel fresh.

 

[pat32rf]

Its one thing to have a block heater, but make sure that you have somewhere handy to plug it in as well. Trying to find a decent extension cord at 6am the first blizzard can be frustrating....
I have three separate heaters on my JD4300. A dealers block heater, a rad hose heater and a battery heater. When its -30C I throw the switch that turns on the outside plug and an hour later it fires right up (without using the preheat). Still let it run to warm the hydro fluid.
I also keep a battery charger and booster cables handy in the garage...

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for the advice.. Found some stuff in the online manual too, basically engage grow plugs before starting and let her warm up..

Cold Weather Starting Aids

Recommendations:

Turn key to ON position for 3 seconds to activate glow plugs.

Install optional engine coolant heater if you operate machine in temperatures below -18? C (0? F).
Warming and Idling the Engine

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! In cold weather, run engine several minutes to allow engine oil and transmission oil to warm.

NOTE: It is normal for the engine to be louder and for blue-white exhaust smoke to be present during engine warm-up. The amount of exhaust smoke depends on air temperature.
Warming Engine:

Lock the park brake.

Set hand throttle lever to the 1/2 fast position for 5 minutes without load.
Idling Engine:

Adjust hand throttle lever rearward to set engine speed at 1200 ｱ 50 rpm (slow idle speed).

It's also O K to move the tractor a ways after you start it before it has warmed up.

 

[etcallhome]

I agree it is OK to move tractor after starting Makes a difference if tractor is inside or out.,how cold it is outside on in your shed bldg or garage.
My is inside in unheated bldg. If very cold 0 to 10 above I will leave tractor run 2-3 min then pull out of bldg moving slowly and just take my time moving to front of the house . I will plow snow just enough to let tractor get out then when finishing for the night I will plow down to grd or very close to grd.
Even then it has been 5 or 6 min and hyd fluid is still running very slow .meaning front angle blade or lower or raising blade is slow , takes close to 10 min. befor everything seems to work ok

 

[johnk]

When it gets near 0 degrees that tractor will make sounds you don't want to hear when you start it up. I have a freeze block heater I installed and it makes a H*ll of a difference along w/ synthetic oil in the crankcase. Every little bit helps...

 

[slate mike]

After Thanksgiving I also use kerosene in the fuel. 3 parts deisel and 2 parts kerosene. And plug in the heater for 1/2 hour. Never a problem starting or running. And it does get cold here in VT.

 

[Johndeere3720]

My yanny is already winter ready in a heated garage, so I guess I can show a picture I drew yesterday to get the winter spirits up. It is a BX22 w/FEL and rear snowblower.

 

[LBrown59]

1*After Thanksgiving I also use kerosene in the fuel.
3 parts deisel and 2 parts kerosene.

1* I wouldn't advise that because the fuel has all ready had this done to it by october or november anyway.
Doing it again yourself results in too much kerosene mixed into the diesel .
It may be ok to put a little kero in summer blend diesel but I sure wouldn't do it with winter blend.
Putting kero in winter blend diesel is sorta like mixing premixed antfreez half and half with water.
Doing either results in a dulitued down product.

 

[jimdereynier]

I just bought a JD 650 with 4 wheel drive -with front bucket and backhoe. I have a steep (10-12%) gravel driveway- 600 FT. Driveway is new - foundation for the drive way 2-6 feet deep with blasting waste. Driveway is South facing. I plan to plow with the JD 650. I like the idea of a BX expanded clip on plow- but not sure if there is enough slack to prevent me from bending the bucket arms when I hit a boulder.
I read about using a 3 PT plow and during the early season before the ground freezes- put a conduit pipe on the plow blade. ( Or plowing backwards - oh my aching back)
When needed I have Arien 12 HP blower. I do not need a hydraulic angle lever for the plow blade I have been using a Gravely plow for decades where you manually select the angle.

I have turf tires on the JD 650 and have ordered chains for the rear. I like the bolt on weight concept- How much should I put on?
Thanks for your help/ Jim 860-305-1582

 

[RoyJackson]

The BXpanded blade has trip springs in case you do hit an immovable object such as that boulder you wrote about.
As far as using a rear blade, I suggest you get one that rotates 180 degrees to lessen the digging in. Another option is to get skid shoes to keep the edge of the blade an inch or so above the surface to be plowed.

"Bolt on weight"...are you asking about wheel weights? I don't use 'em...I prefer filled tires and rear ballast.