Frozen very worried

[Dan Lamb]

I live in northern California at the base of Mt Shasta completly different world than most of the state , so far this winter we have had about 42 in of snow, my 2018 2400h TLB has done a great job with moving snow , we live off grid and dont have the solor completed yet just have to set the panels. I do have 4 different generators and a battery pack that I can work with when I am there. Since I dont have a cover built yet my tractor has to sit outside, when I leave I do wrap the engine area with a old Wool blanket and cover that with a tarp . I have a block heater that I plug in for 2 hours befor I start when Im there. I will Get a oil pan heater and a hydralic oil heater wher I Get full time solor, but until then does anybody have good ideas to protect the engine from freez for the rest of winter, their is so much knowledge on this site I am sure there are ideas . Thank You Very much Nor Cal Dan

 

[Ford850]

wrapping in a blanket would only hold in heat that is already there, or that is produced by the block heater. It's not protecting the tractor while you're away, and could attract pests like mice. Any cover will keep the snow off of it though, if that's your intention. As long as you have proper coolant/antifreeze in the radiator, you're fine. The block heater will do wonders if really cold, but in temps of 20-30* it's not needed (but does make starting easier). After starting, let if warm up for 10 minutes, and then drive around a little, working the controls to get hyd fluid flowing and warmed. Looking up your weather I see above freezing temps daily, for the next 10 days, with lows in the teens or 20's.

 

[Dan Lamb]

Thanks 850 , the temp Get in 25-35 in winter and in teens seldom , and old timer up here said if you wrap it that will keep the frost from coming in Contact with block and it has new antifreez in it only 102 hrs, looks like your a Ford guy have you ever seen a Ford Powermaster 811 backhoe built 1957 thriu 1963 looked like a beast ,thank you for your advise. Dan

 

[ruffdog]

If the engine has the correct anti-freeze mix in the cooling system, frost is no problem. It is not as fragile as a napa grape.

 

[Ford850]

Thanks 850 , the temp Get in 25-35 in winter and in teens seldom , and old timer up here said if you wrap it that will keep the frost from coming in Contact with block and it has new antifreez in it only 102 hrs, looks like your a Ford guy have you ever seen a Ford Powermaster 811 backhoe built 1957 thriu 1963 looked like a beast ,thank you for your advise. Dan

I had to look that up. TractorData.com Ford Powermaster 811 tractor information Select-O-Speed and no PTO.

 

[oosik]

Dan - my Kubota M6040 sits out in an open carport stall. Nothing is heated. I've started it - just fine, down to our coldest temps of -20F. After it starts I let it run at high idle - 1200 rpm until it's warm. Sitting out in the cold will not hurt the tractor. ruffdog said it - "they aren't as fragile as a Napa grape"

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Like Oosik, my 2011 1500 HR BX sets outside all the time. I don't do anything special. Always starts right up. Keep us posted on your off grid experiences.

Ron

 

[oosik]

Dan - let's be honest here. You don't get cold enough, even at the base of Mt Shasta, to worry about needing to plug things in to start the tractor. When you get your solar all up and working THEN you might consider "plug in's". Honestly, the best "plug in" would be a battery tender. This will keep your battery topped up at all times and doesn't draw that much power.

That tractor HAD BETTER start without any "plug ins". The way I figure it - if we get a REAL storm here - I might loose power. I will definitely need my tractor to plow out my mile long gravel driveway. MY tractor had darn well better start without being plugged in. And it alway has.

Same goes for you there at the base of the mountain. You get a major storm - you want your tractor to start RIGHT NOW. Not after it's been plugged in for X number of hours.

Is you cooling system anti-freeze at 50/50 strength - is your engine oil the proper weight for the weather conditions? If so - - don't fret, it will start.

 

[fried1765]

Dan - my Kubota M6040 sits out in an open carport stall. Nothing is heated. I've started it - just fine, down to our coldest temps of -20F. After it starts I let it run at high idle - 1200 rpm until it's warm. Sitting out in the cold will not hurt the tractor. ruffdog said it - "they aren't as fragile as a Napa grape"

Agreed.... "the cold will not hurt the tractor"

I realize that your tractor is in a shed...and that is a good thing!
So..ooo many are left outside with paint and rubber sun damaged.
A Kubota left outside can look like it is 30 years old, though it may be only 3.

 

[oosik]

Around here - only a few of the REALLY BIG ag tractors are garaged. Most are left in the field - right where they finished work. Red, green, blue - - they all fade in the sun. My first tractor - Ford 1700 - was stored in the same carport stall as my Kubota sits in right now. I bought it new in '82 and traded it in, in 2009. Twenty seven years and the OEM tires showed NO sun damage. The blue paint was still as bright as new. OUT OF THE SUN is an enormous factor.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Mine sits outside year round. We call your temperatures "spring time" up here. I don't plug anything in on my tractor in "spring time". It starts fine. I do have a block, oil pan, and hydro sump heater I plug in (on a timer) during winter. But the timer only runs the heaters for a few hours in the morning so I can start it up if I have to push snow to get out. The rest of the day, if the tractor's just going to sit, it sits with none of those heaters "on" (timer is off).

Nothing for you to worry about. Enjoy your tractor.

 

[Coyote machine]

Your best maintenance method is to have a battery warmer, that is a heating pad which sits under the batteries. When plugged in runs when the temp outside it too cold for your tractor, generator(s) to constantly be exposed to cold temps, especially without use for long periods. I have them on both of my propane whole house generators, so there is little chance when a power failure occurs that they won't start.
In addition, you should be using 'CUT' (winterized) diesel fuel, have drained your water/fuel bowl and have a clean fuel filter installed before winter hits.
One can also install a battery disconnect switch at the battery post to keep the battery from draining down from transient leaks in the electrical system. It can also deter theft by having the electrical system disconnected from battery power. Most ALL brands use the same key for all tractors of their brand, unlike a car/truck with an actual unique 'start' switch.
battery disconnect switch autozone - Google Search

Since it's outside, add a block of wood under a plow blade or anything touching ground, so it can't freeze to the ground.

Run the glow plugs 2 times before cranking the engine to allow for extra preheating of the combustion chamber too.

 

[fried1765]

Mine sits outside year round. We call your temperatures "spring time" up here. I don't plug anything in on my tractor in "spring time". It starts fine. I do have a block, oil pan, and hydro sump heater I plug in (on a timer) during winter. But the timer only runs the heaters for a few hours in the morning so I can start it up if I have to push snow to get out. The rest of the day, if the tractor's just going to sit, it sits with none of those heaters "on" (timer is off).

Nothing for you to worry about. Enjoy your tractor.

To quote Oosik in post#10: "OUT OF THE SUN is an enormous factor"
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!
I am currently searching for a SHED KEPT low hour 2004-2009 Kubota L48 TLB.

 

[ultrarunner]

Lots of the old-timers would block the radiator and cover the engine and protect the battery from the wind... never seemed to hurt and in real cold country the old diesels had a shade mechanism to cover a portion of the radiator... once in a while I see some big rigs with partial grill covers...

Dad always talked about McCloud... I think he worked up there one summer and remarked on the beauty of the area...

 

[Looking4new]

Lots of the old-timers would block the radiator and cover the engine and protect the battery from the wind... never seemed to hurt and in real cold country the old diesels had a shade mechanism to cover a portion of the radiator... once in a while I see some big rigs with partial grill covers...

Those are called 'winter fronts'.
I use a piece of corrugated cardboard across the front of mine in winter. Just keep a close eye on the coolant temperature, is all you gotta do IF you run a winter front.

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ My Grandfather had one on his Diesel Tractor... he said it really helped in the deep winter operation.

 

[Looking4new]

Detroit Diesels didn't make very much heat in winter, so you would put your winter front on in late fall and just regulate the opening in it according to how cold it was outside and how hot the engine was running.
Back when I was too cheap to put in a winter thermostat in my gassers, I would put a winter front on them. Now the winter front is worth more than the costs associated with changing the thermostat, so I put in a 190° thermostat and be done with it.

 

[LouNY]

When it's cold out I keep my "expensive" winter cover over the radiator opening ( a plastic trash bag).
When the temps are under 40F it will not overheat even with all of the grill covered,
and the transmission/hydraulic fluid runs much warmer, the lines are nice to put your hands on,
so not hot by any means.
As far as starting in the upper teens it shouldn't need any block heaters, it will start nicer with it
and reach operating temps sooner.

 

[Cougsfan]

To this day I have a specially cut piece of card board cut to the size of the face of the radiator for my '96 Dodge diesel 1 ton. It has about a 8 inch diameter hole cut in the center to allow some air flow. I put it in during the winter. Without it the defroster has a hard time keeping the windows clear. That piece of cardboard is probably 15 years old. I probably should change the thermostat, but have never got around to it.