Winterizing a Mini-X

Boondox · Oct 13, 2007

As a few wet snowflakes fall this afternoon I need to consider putting the Kubota KX121-3S up for the winter since tracked vehicles don't do particularly well on snow and ice covered hillsides. We'll see temps in the minus 30 range. It's a canopy model, so I'll tarp it, should probably pull the battery out and charge it now and then in a warmer place. Fuel tank is full and the diesel is treated with Stanadyne. The tracks are up off the ground on a couple a large wooden beams so they don't freeze to the ground.

Anything else..?

Egon · Oct 13, 2007

Pete:

Weld some caulks on the grousers and your good for winter operation.

Did you also lay up the bike for winter?

Dozernut · Oct 13, 2007

Grease the cylinder rods so they don't rust and pit. Maybe some moth balls to keep the mice and chipmunks out.

Boondox · Oct 13, 2007

Egon said:
Pete:

Did you also lay up the bike for winter?

No way! It was 34F when I set out this morning. Had an awesome ride on the back roads, stopped for lunch in Rochester VT, then back home. 175 miles and I pulled into the garage just as the first wet snowflake fell. Perfect timing!

My plan for the Triumph is to strip off the panniers, fill it with gas and fuel stabilizer, plug in the trickle charger and dream of Spring. But not just yet.

Dozernut -- Thanks for the reminder about the grease. I've used Fluid Film on my snowplow for a few years now with great results (and easy cleanup in Spring) so I might use that for the KX too. My three barn cats keep the rodents under control.

Dozernut · Oct 13, 2007

PETE
Thanks for the tip, I might give Fluid Film a try. If it cleans up easier than grease than that would be a plus. I was not familiar with it and just located a dealer for it 35 miles away.

Boondox · Oct 14, 2007

Dozernut said:
PETE
Thanks for the tip, I might give Fluid Film a try. If it cleans up easier than grease than that would be a plus. I was not familiar with it and just located a dealer for it 35 miles away.

It's something I never would have tried till I was given a free sample...and loved it! It's lanolin-based and looks like congealed bacon fat when it goes on, but it stays put all winter and in the spring washes off easily with warm soapy water.

One caveat, because of the lanolin the cans need to be kept at room temp. They gum up and become useless if I leave them in my garage this time of year.