Newbie Question about wintering

[Prefect]

I have been reading this forum for a couple of weeks and it could be that my sporadic attempts have just been half-efforted, but I haven't been able to find information on what to do with my tractor in the winter.

Here's my situation. I have a piece of property on which I am planning to build a home. The tractor will live there. Currently there are no buildings or electric. I'm hoping to break ground in August or early Sept., but who knows for sure.

My question is this; is there anything special I need to do to keep my tractor from being damaged by the possible cold tempratures we are often subjected here in the midwest (often sub 0). I know you guys up north will have some wonderful insight on this topic.

My tractor may have to winter outside this year. I hope not, but it may be the case.

TIA,
Kyle

 

[tc35dforme]

The obvious issues are fuel treatment to prevent gelling and anti-freeze coolant at proper levels to prevent freezing. Other than that, it's MEAN, but the tractor can sleep outside all winter.

Is the tractor a hydro...if so you may have to let it warm up a few minutes ( more than a few /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ) to get decent performance.

A block heater would help with the starts ( if you get power ), but it'll start without one.

 

[Prefect]

This will be the first diesel powered...anything I have ever owned. I'm not familliar with the gelling problem. I'm assuming that deisel doesn't actually freeze but gel. Does that break the fuel down in some way as to leave moisture in the system or does it expand and break things?

 

[Egon]

Will this tractor be sitting outside in an isolated area? If so could you please post directions to the site.

Proper antifreeze mixture, full fuel tank and remove battery. Put a tarp over the instrument cluster.

Egon

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Kyle I don't know how far you are from civilization but here is an option that may work for you.

Before we built our current home I had the very same problem. A tractor that I needed to keep close to the lot and no where to store it. I found a self-storage building within 15 minutes of my property and the tractor lived in a storage shed for 2 winters. It was easy to drive it back and forth and it eliminated any vandalism done to it while being on the lot without protection until we were able to build. I hope this information is of some value to you. Just be sure that you find one that will accommodate your tractor height.

 

[slowrev]

Put tarps under and over the tractor. Just putting a tarp over the tractor will trap moisture coming up from the ground. Remove the battery/s and take them with you to put on a charger about once a month to keep the fully charged. Do not sit the batteries on concrete, very bad on them, not really sure why just know that it is. Put a piece of wood or something similiar under them if on concrete.

 

[PineRidge]

Actually modern day batteries may be placed on concrete with no ill effects. I used to hear when I was a kid not to place them on concrete but I think this is a wifes tale. This is information that I located on the web:

Flooded Lead Acid

Periods of inactivity can be extremely harmful to lead acid batteries. When placing a battery into storage, follow the recommendations below to insure that the battery remains healthy and ready for use.

NOTE: Storing, charging or operating batteries on concrete is perfectly OK. The most important things to avoid:
Freezing. Avoid locations where freezing temperature is expected. Keeping battery at a high state of charge will also prevent freezing. Freezing results in irreparable damage to battery's plates and container. [Freezing can happen between -19 F (40% charge) and -98 F (fully charged)]

Heat. Avoid direct exposure to heat sources, such as radiators or space heaters. Temperatures above 80° F accelerate the battery's self-discharge characteristics.
Step by step storage procedure: 1. Completely charge the battery before storing. 2. Store the battery in a cool, dry location, protected from the elements. 3. During storage, monitor the specific gravity (flooded) or voltage. Batteries in storage should be given a boost charge when they show a 70% charge or less. Completely charge the battery before re-activating.
For optimum performance, equalize the batteries (flooded) before putting them back into service. Refer to the Equalizing section for this procedure.

Q: Will a battery rapidly self discharge if placed on concrete?
A: No, placing a battery on concrete will not cause it to discharge any faster than any other surface.
Q: Can I store a battery indefinitely?
A: No, a battery will self-discharge slowly over time. Allowing a battery to sit in a discharged state will ultimately lead to severe positive grid corrosion and battery failure. An unused battery should never be allowed to sit over 6 months without a recharge.

 

[SacandagaBrad]

If you're going to leave it out for extended periods, in addition to the other suggestions you have received, put a couple open containers of moth balls around. Under the hood, seat, etc. Keeps the mice and other rodents away, they love to chew wires, seats, hoses, and belts! I do it on my winter toys during summer storage and on my summer toys during winter storage.

Brad

 

[RoyJackson]

All good suggestions above....one more: do not...repeat...do not use ether in a modern tractor Sooner or later, someone will suggest ether to ease cold weather starting. It's not a good thing, especially if your tractor has an warm air intake system (warms the air being drawn into the cylinders). There's a heating element in the intake. Using ether can cause an explosion.

Make sure you use that anti-gel before there's freezing. It will "un-gel" the fuel, but that can take a while...and the anti-gel won't help with fuel in the system beyond the tank after it's gelled. FYI, we had a bitter cold spell in PA a few years back...it was pretty sudden. The tractor-trailers on the turnpike stalled out due to gelling.

 

[Prefect]

First of all, thanks for all of the advice. This info combined with the stuff from the manual should get me through the winter with minimal to no problems.

I knew I came to the right place. I know you have heard it many times before, but I have gotten so much useful information here. I can't believe the wealth of knowledge contianed within this forum.

Thanks again guys! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif