Bota at -8 degrees

[LateBloomer]

My driveway got plowed by a neighbor this week but the 2 foot berm alongside the drive was bugging me. I hesitated to crank up the Bota since it was -8 this morning but wanted to see if it would run. Even with a magnetic heater it almost wouldn't crank. After letting it warm up for about 20 minutes I jumped on and starting moving snow. The FEL worked great for plowing or moving snow around. Wish they made a bigger bucket for snow removal though. Oh well it was a beautiful day so didn't mind making lots of small trips.

 

[art]

Look likes fun!

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Late Bloomer,

I am impressed. You must be one tough fella to just have a pair of jeans on in that -8.

I would be very insulated. Maybe have a Brandy IV.

Tom

 

[LateBloomer]

HD, I have some pretty serious polypropylene underneath. Besides there was no wind today which helps.

 

[sandyc]

I use my tractor in any weather. The key, as you found out is to let it warm up......
That picture reminds me that we are overdue for a bit of snow here in the Northeast!

 

[Egon]

Latebloomer:

Install a block heater or an inline heater And the tractor just may start a whole lot easier. It will even give you a hug if you do this.

Comment on use for magnetic heater is censored.

Egon

 

[LateBloomer]

Egon, I was hoping someone would comment on the magnetic heater. My impression is that is did next to nothing. THere is no flat surface to stick it on the oil pan. How hard is it to install a block heater and what is an inline heater?? Looks like we got another 4 inches last night and it is still coming down. THis is what I will doing as soon as the sun comes up.

 

[CTyler]

An inline heater connects into the radiator hose and circulates the liquid. We used to use these years ago when I lived in Montana. We never had any problems with them. If you ask peeps around here about them they say there have been fires because of these units. I was looking for one several years ago and everyone said to stay away from the inline heater and use a block heater.

I can say that I have used both and the inline heater warmed everything up better. Probably due to the circulation vs just warming the block. Both work good though.

I have only installed block heaters in cars and trucks. You drain the antifreeze and pop out a freeze plug. Then insert the block heater in the hole and tighten. Then add the liquid back again.

 

[LateBloomer]

Thanks CTyler, I like the concept of the inline heater, seems like it would distribute the heat more efficiently. When I ordered my tractor from Washington State the dealer talked me out of a block heater and said the magnetic one worked good enough. I regret that decision now. Looks like I need to get online and research this a little better and see where I can get either alternative. Need to wait till it warms up a bit first. Hoping to get into the twenties in the next few days. Being a South Lousiana native I never thought that I would look forward to a twenty degree day for warmth.

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( An in-line heater connects into the radiator hose and circulates the liquid. We used to use these years ago when I lived in Montana. We never had any problems with them. If you ask peeps around here about them they say there have been fires because of these units. I was looking for one several years ago and everyone said to stay away from the in-line heater and use a block heater. )</font>

Not trying to start a controversy, but the convection currents with a block heater will do the same thing. The in-line heater still has to warm the liquid to 180 degrees before the thermostat will open to allow the total circulation. This means that the block has to be warmed to that temperature also. A block heater will put more heat where it is needed faster than a in-line heater for the above reason. If you have a block heater, then you don't care if the thermostat is open or not, because the block itself is warm... Once again, this will always come down to whose theory of heating dynamics you want to agree with and personal preferance.....