Boomer says, Brrrrr it is cold out

thcri · Feb 10, 2014

I have owned my TC29D now for ten years. In the summer it sits outside in a shaded area so I don't fade the paint. Every winter it gas been in a heated garage. Well the garage for some reason has shrunk and now I think Boomer has no choice but sit outside for a while. I have unraveled the block heater cord as I have never used it and now can plug it in a couple hours ahead of time. It will be interesting to see how well she starts in this subzero cold weather we are having.

Or should I just leave it plugged in all the time, is 2 to 3 hours enough time?

Inspector507 · Feb 10, 2014

Hiya Murph,
I've heard 2-3 hours would be plenty. My little TC18 doesn't have a block heater, but so far it's started every time I needed it to so far this season with just the glow plugs. Our weather has been somewhat similar to yours, except you've been a bit colder.

Jerry

dave1949 · Feb 10, 2014

You might see some fuel issues show up like ice and gelling. You may want to treat the fuel to prevent that, a block heater will not.

Halftrack · Feb 10, 2014

My TC33D sits in a non-heated pole barn. Down to about 15 degrees, it starts fine. Below that, I usually plug in the block heater and have never had a problem after 30 to 40 minutes. After that, it is a 20 minute warm up with both pto's running and a bit of pedal with the cruise on and the speed range in neutral. I also suggest covering the transmission cooler. I use 5-40 weight synthetic oil year round, which helps a lot this time of year.

barbqranch · Feb 10, 2014

Run the extension cord through the steering wheel, so you don't accidentally drive off and cause more damage than you want to try to fix in the cold.

thcri · Feb 10, 2014

dave1949 said:
You might see some fuel issues show up like ice and gelling. You may want to treat the fuel to prevent that, a block heater will not.

That I do even though it sits in the garage.

thcri · Feb 10, 2014

barbqranch said:
Run the extension cord through the steering wheel, so you don't accidentally drive off and cause more damage than you want to try to fix in the cold.

well that is probably something I would do too. Thanks for the tip.

thcri · Feb 10, 2014

Halftrack said:
My TC33D sits in a non-heated pole barn. Down to about 15 degrees, it starts fine. Below that, I usually plug in the block heater and have never had a problem after 30 to 40 minutes. After that, it is a 20 minute warm up with both pto's running and a bit of pedal with the cruise on and the speed range in neutral. I also suggest covering the transmission cooler. I use 5-40 weight synthetic oil year round, which helps a lot this time of year.

It is sitting about -10F right now headed for -15F tonight. One thing about it being this cold I won't be getting much snow.

thcri · Feb 11, 2014

Inspector507 said:
Hiya Murph, I've heard 2-3 hours would be plenty. My little TC18 doesn't have a block heater, but so far it's started every time I needed it to so far this season with just the glow plugs. Our weather has been somewhat similar to yours, except you've been a bit colder. Jerry

Hey Jerry, how are you doing? I think the whole States has gotten some pretty cold weather. On the news tonight our frost even with all the snow is a foot deeper than all of last year. Traveling a lot in the Minneapolis St Paul area and it is not uncommon to see broken water lines in the streets.