Arctic Blast & Tractor Preparation / Protection

[JGY]

Hello all,

I know you're not going to believe this but some of us folk down here below the Mason-Dixon line need some information and advice. I will make the question as broad as possible. (I live in SC but others down this way may also be helped.)

My question is "What preparation / protection do we need to do and/or give to our tractors to insure nothing being busted or broken by this C*O*L*D weather headed our way?" (Some of our tractors are either outside or in open buildings.)

The forecast in the next 48 to 72 hours will have the lows in the S*I*N*G*L*E digits. (This is a once in ninety (90) years occurrence that it gets this cold down here; I am NOT ninety (90) years old, and what's this I keep hearing about global WARMING!)

ALL responses are greatly appreciated ....

Joe

 

[nh DRAGON]

I do not know if your fuel would be (treated) or not so I would add some 911 fuel additive to off set gelling or any moisture you may have in the tank!

 

[FastPauly]

If you are not expecting a large dumping of snow with the cold snap and needing the tractor for snow removal (which I doubt you are implement equipped)......then this is what I suggest;

A) Park tractor where it is easily visible through a house window.
B) Cut and prepare fixings for a pot of stew (I prefer deer meat).
C) Slow cook stew until ingredients can easily be fork cut.
D) Slice up a loaf of deli style bread ant top with real butter.
E) Set back and enjoy the stew and bread.
F) Sip on your drink of choice while enjoying the meal.
G) Occasionally look out the window just to make sure everything is O.K.
H) After the passing of the cold snap and things get bact to normal....start tractor up and forget it ever was cold out.

 

[prosperity]

If you are not expecting a large dumping of snow with the cold snap and needing the tractor for snow removal (which I doubt you are implement equipped)......then this is what I suggest;

A) Park tractor where it is easily visible through a house window.
B) Cut and prepare fixings for a pot of stew (I prefer deer meat).
C) Slow cook stew until ingredients can easily be fork cut.
D) Slice up a loaf of deli style bread ant top with real butter.
E) Set back and enjoy the stew and bread.
F) Sip on your drink of choice while enjoying the meal.
G) Occasionally look out the window just to make sure everything is O.K.
H) After the passing of the cold snap and things get bact to normal....start tractor up and forget it ever was cold out.

Ha! Excellent advise!

 

[JB4310]

If your not going to use them at that time, the only thing you might worry about would be the coolant, but as long as you have anything in there besides straight water it wont be a problem.

If your gonna use the equipment then besides possible gelling, old batteries are not going to be happy, also older equipment that is OK/borderline mechanically in warmer temps may not start with out some extra attention.

You should be conscious of any other equipment that has water in it, like pumps, sprayers, tanks rollers and shallow buried plumbing. That 9.5% that water expands at 32 degrees when it freezes wreaks havoc on anything trying to hold it back.

Good Luck!
JB.

 

[JB4310]

If your not going to use them at that time, the only thing you might worry about would be the coolant, but as long as you have anything in there besides straight water it wont be a problem.

If your gonna use the equipment then besides possible gelling, old batteries are not going to be happy, also older equipment that is OK/borderline mechanically in warmer temps may not start with out some extra attention.

You should be conscious of any other equipment that has water in it, like pumps, sprayers, tanks rollers and shallow buried plumbing. That 9.5% that water expands at 32 degrees when it freezes wreaks havoc on anything trying to hold it back.

Good Luck!
JB.

 

[JGY]

If you are not expecting a large dumping of snow with the cold snap and needing the tractor for snow removal (which I doubt you are implement equipped)......then this is what I suggest;

A) Park tractor where it is easily visible through a house window.
B) Cut and prepare fixings for a pot of stew (I prefer deer meat).
C) Slow cook stew until ingredients can easily be fork cut.
D) Slice up a loaf of deli style bread ant top with real butter.
E) Set back and enjoy the stew and bread.
F) Sip on your drink of choice while enjoying the meal.
G) Occasionally look out the window just to make sure everything is O.K.
H) After the passing of the cold snap and things get bact to normal....start tractor up and forget it ever was cold out.

Excellent! I now have the rifle ready for the hunt first thing in the morning. Hopefully by this time the next day ... I will be watching, eating and drinking!!

Joe

P.S. Do you recommend Glenlivet (Scottish) or Bushmills (Irish)?

 

[JGY]

If your not going to use them at that time, the only thing you might worry about would be the coolant, but as long as you have anything in there besides straight water it wont be a problem.

If your gonna use the equipment then besides possible gelling, old batteries are not going to be happy, also older equipment that is OK/borderline mechanically in warmer temps may not start with out some extra attention.

You should be conscious of any other equipment that has water in it, like pumps, sprayers, tanks rollers and shallow buried plumbing. That 9.5% that water expands at 32 degrees when it freezes wreaks havoc on anything trying to hold it back.

Good Luck!
JB.

Good info! Thanks JB!!

Joe

 

[PILOON]

"You should be conscious of any other equipment that has water in it, like pumps, sprayers, tanks rollers and shallow buried plumbing. That 9.5% that water expands at 32 degrees when it freezes wreaks havoc on anything trying to hold it back."

For sure the most important advice!
Water can split the engine block wide open! and crack heads!

If in doubt drain the coolant (after all only water) and save the tractor.
OR
Add 2 qts of Glenlivet (Scottish) or Bushmills (Irish)

 

[kebo]

Excellent! I now have the rifle ready for the hunt first thing in the morning. Hopefully by this time the next day ... I will be watching, eating and drinking!!

Joe

P.S. Do you recommend Glenlivet (Scottish) or Bushmills (Irish)?

JGY, you're not serious about going deerhunting this week are you??? Deer season closed for the entire state of SC on Jan. 1st. I deer hunt as well but I put all my hunting gear away after Jan. 1.

Btw, what part of SC are you in? I'm in the Lexington area. Supposed to get down to about 14 or so here on Friday morning I think. Btw, back in '83 or '84 we had some single digit temps in December. I remember that well cause I deer hunted in it! I think I lasted about 1 hour though before I had to go find somewhere nice and warm!! LOL!!

 

[JGY]

Add 2 qts of Glenlivet (Scottish) or Bushmills (Irish)

Sorry! Piloon,

Don't have enough for 2qts ... the tractor will have to do without! The tractor is on its on!!

Joe

 

[JGY]

JGY, you're not serious about going deerhunting ...
Btw, what part of SC are you in? ... LOL!!

kebo,

Really officer ... that deer just jumped out in front of me. Sorry, I couldn't avoid hitting it ... it didn't die immediately officer ... yes, that's a .45 in the car ... yes sir, officer, I discharged my firearm ... of course I "put it out of its misery." Certainly ... you have a good evening too ... enjoy your half of the deer! Later "Cousin Andy." You too "Barney."

I'm in the "Law's Crossroads" area of Lee County (Hint: Law's Crossroads is the old name for Elliott.)

L8R,
Joe

 

[JiminGa]

we have plans to work Saturday, I'm not sure I can find antigelling agents...any other suggestions on that? it's supposed to be around 12 here. thanks

 

[JB4310]

I live in CT, it is 12 right now, I have never had a gelling problem but I know our diesel is winterized from the oil companies for this region.

Call the fuel dealers and ask them if their fuel is winterized, or where you can get some #1 diesel to mix in yourself.
Any auto parts store is gonna have a bunch of different fuel conditioners most will say helps with cold weather pour point.

Was gonna say I've heard of people using a little kerosene but searched the subject and that does not seem to be good advice.

 

[Pif]

Isn't all on-road diesel winterized? I would think it would be because even if a driver buys his fuel down south he may end up here in the north. So if you are running on-road you should be OK I would think. That being said, I use Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement. It's 12 degrees and falling as I type. Just waiting for high winds and wind chill to kick in.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Kebo, ya'll probably got way too many deer in SC anyway. If a man wants a little stew meat don't hold it against him. These are hard times we're all in.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[JiminGa]

I use off road in my tractor...gotta save those pennies where ever we can.

 

[foggy1111]

SINGLE DIGITS????? HA! When we get single digits we worry about things OVERHEATING...not freezing lol. It was -25 here this morning...and colder tomorrow.

Seriously.....The freeze protection stated and any water in your fuel are the biggest concerns. For your purposes, one of those magnetic heaters on the oil pan or engine block would be good for an occasional cold snap. Around here the tractors that "got to go" have a block heater installed in 'em and are kept in some sort of shed. Batts need to be up to snuff and fuel needs to be good. And even so...sometimes you just have to wait it out.

 

[JGY]

Isn't all on-road diesel winterized? I would think it would be because even if a driver buys his fuel down south he may end up here in the north. So if you are running on-road you should be OK I would think. That being said, I use Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement. It's 12 degrees and falling as I type. Just waiting for high winds and wind chill to kick in.

Pif [Program Information File?],

FWIW I don't know if on-road diesel down here is winterized. I do know this. The fuel I get from just up the road from me is not dyed and is either LSD (<500ppm) or sometimes ULSD (<15ppm). I guess you would say it don't really matter the color (if any) of the fuel if'n it ends up in our'n tractors. You'se we all be farmers 'round here'n -- ain't never had no dang col'rs added to the fuel and shoot never will!

Sometimes ... I do end up getting some "green" from up the road at the truck stop -- ULSD -- but still don't know if it is winterized ....

Found some Opti-Lube XPD DFI ... will get some mixed into the fuel b4 sundown tomorrow and run it a few minutes (or more) to get it in there.

Any who'se ... THANKS for the HEP!!

Joe

 

[boxygen]

Yes, the stew advice is definitely the best and if the cold weather is going to pass quickly thats what I would do. Coolant would be the only concern if you dont use the tractor. I would definitely look for some fuel additive and pour it in the tank just in case. Run the tractor a little bit to make sure it gets through the lines and into the filters etc. Let it warm up much more than normal before operating. I have heard stories about what cold hydraulic fluid can do if worked too hard without letting warm up first. When you do start operating, go slow for a while to ensure gear oil in differentials and such gets a chance to warm up too. Im not sure if they sell different coolant regionally or the stuff you buy down there is rated the same stuff as we buy up here. I suspect its all the same but who knows. I would hate to find a cracked block when things warm back up.
Thanks for the stew recommendation. With it being -13 here this morning a little stew slow cooked on the woodstove sounds pretty good.