Plowing, how to prevent hands from freezing

[Tractor Tom]

Final got our first snow of the season last night and I was keen to try the new tractor in the snow. Both the blower and bucket work great, my problem is my hands nearly froze to death on the steering wheel after only half an hour. Any advice on what to put on the steering wheel? Is there such a thing as a heated steering wheel for tractors? Thanks for the help

PS: The tractor doesn’t have a Cab, and yes I have heavy mitts. I’ve used these mitts for years with the hand blower, not a problem. On the tractor you don’t work up much of a sweat to keep you warm.

 

[Renob]

Gerbing has some great electric clothing (gloves, pants, jacket) that I use whilst riding motorcycles. I imagine it would work great for your purposes.
12 volt disconnectable harness come with the clothing and are easily detachable.

Try gerbing.com GREAT STUFF!

 

[BB_TX]

I have a set of gloves that are a cross between gloves and mittens. The glove fingers are cut off about half way and then there is a mitten type pouch to cover the exposed fingers. It is easy to slip the fingers in and out of the pouch. I wear them hunting as I like to have a bare finger on the trigger. If it is very cold, I put one of the hand warmer packs in the mitten pouch. If it is very very cold, I also put one of the packs in the palm of the glove.

 

[Gerifalte]

The cheapest solution: warm packs (AKA hand warmers). They cost about $1.5 a bag and will last for 24 hours. It doesn't get much cheaper than that!
You just put them in your mittens and you won't even feel the cold!

 

[roxynoodle]

Have you tried insulated gloves with Thinsulate? Those are what I use outside and I can stay out in below zero temps for at least a couple of hours. I have boots with it too. I live in the flatlands with a farm field behind me and that west wind sure does blow across this property. In fact, lucky me, it takes all the snow out of that field and piles it up in my backyard.

 

[AndyMA]

Maybe the problem is you have had the mitts for years. Time for a new pair.
Of thin ones. Many years plowing snow before I got a cab. Fingers were always warm.

Andy

 

[George2615]

I agree with most others. If your hands are getting cold after only a half hour then get some new gloves. I also use gloves with thinsulate and plow for about an hour and a half without getting cold hands.

 

[eanjay]

They do make steering wheel heater for cars - should work on tractors. About $14.95 on sale this week at Canadian Tire stores.

Maybe it's also time to get the 'Doc' to check the old circulation system?

EanJay

 

[Zoombah]

Ski gloves

 

[bill177]

Make sure that what you are wearing on your hands does not constrict them at all. If the gloves/mittens are too tight, they will slow the circulation and you WILL have cold hands.

 

[chrisjbell]

my problem is my hands nearly froze to death on the steering wheel after only half an hour.

Oh, if only there was a way to stay warm on the equipment in the cold... I have gone so far as to open up the hood and actually put my hands on the hot exhaust manifold whilst huddling around the engine for warmth... (Yes, that does singe the gloves, but I really didn't care at the time!)

Sure makes a difference sitting on a moving machine vs. doing something like blowing....

I do my best to finagle the tractor with the cab when I have to go out in the cold at work. At home I just suffer, since my tractor is wide open. I'll check out the heated clothing, though. The glove heat packs do work well, but get expensive using them every day (since I work 12 mornings every two weeks that runs to nearly fourty bucks a month)...

 

[Glowplug]

Layers:

"Thin" wicking liner glove, followed by insulating fleece glove, followed by wind and water proof mitten.

Goes back to my backpacking days! Keeps hands warm all day in a blizzard.

 

[jk96]

Zoombah's got it right.

I've got a pair of snowboarding gloves. Extra long to cover up to mid arm with drawstring to prevent any snow, wind, etc from getting in. Thinsulate and waterproof. Used them last winter plowing snow in 10 degree weather for about 4 hours. No problems at all.

jk

 

[Thomas]

Morning Tom.
I use snow mobiler gloves $$'s,the type which extends 4 or 5 inches be on the wrist...just keep the glove dry from sweating.

 

[jbrumberg]

Tractor Tom:

A lot of good suggestions have been presented. I tend to go with a layered approach with a goretex type outer glove. The key is to keep your hands dry. Jay

 

[kwolfe]

When you feel you are getting to cold, get off and run around a bunch. When warm, get back on the tractor. It's free

 

[CharlieTR]

A heat houser kab king Burch Manufacturing Company

Here is a link for a heat houser. It's a custom made canvas that takes heat off the engine and puts it in the canvas cab.

 

[Egon]

Two pair of warm mitts. Wear one pair, keep the other pair under the hood to warm up. Switch as required.

 

[JoeL4330]

eat a candy bar

 

[schmism]

keep your core body VERY warm and your body will cirulate warm blood out to your fingertips keeping them warm with little gloving.

I go with the heat packs and stuff them in a glove when im getting started... you can find version that you can microwave repatedly.