Winter...

[devongarver]

Ok, so I am having a bit of a conundrum here. I will be using my tractor for snow removal this year. I am currently keeping it outside, because I am using it for VERY muddy chores every few days ever since I purchased it. (I practically live in a swamp, and I have been digging ditches to correct that). I have my mustang stored in the garage, and it will of course remain there all winter(I live in Northeast Ohio). I have room to park the tractor in the garage, but I am worried about the snow when it melts off the tractor after using it this winter. have no floor drains in the garage. Instead, the floor is pitched about 1/8" per foot to drain the water to the front towards the door. The problem with this, is it will hit my door seal and pool to the sides, which will then hit the wooden base of my work bench which is simply not acceptable...

The garage is not heated, however it is attached to the house and remains around 40 degrees most of the winter. At the plumbing company I used to work for, we stored a Kioti 4wd tractor, a CAT skidsteer, and an IHI trackhoe outside in one of those metal framed tarp covered car port things you can buy for 300$ or so. All of this equipment was used in the winter, and none of it was hooked up to engine block heaters. We simply let the glow plugs warm for 30secs or so and they all would fire right up. But....of course I am a scaredy-cat, as this tractor is my baby, and I am worried about leaving it outside all year in one of these carport things.


So-the real question here-is there any harm in leaving the equipment outside during below freezing temperatures? I got below zero last year quite a bit as well. I am worried about the hydraulic lines, the oil, and honestly just the severe heat cycling that everything will experience going from ice cold to full operating temps...

This brings another question, would a block heater be beneficial? And if so, where can I get one/which type/brand should I get?

Pretend I know nothing at all, and school me on winter usage here. I promise I will not be offended!

:confused2:

 

[mmurphy]

I lived in Minnesota a a kid on a dairy farm. All of are equipment just the same as now ran in the coldest days when you swore it could not possibly get any colder. Heater would be beneficial for motor if setting out side, especialy on a diesel.Like any thing cold, may need a little idle time before working it to warm up a little.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Ok, so I am having a bit of a conundrum here. I will be using my tractor for snow removal this year. I am currently keeping it outside, because I am using it for VERY muddy chores every few days ever since I purchased it. (I practically live in a swamp, and I have been digging ditches to correct that). I have my mustang stored in the garage, and it will of course remain there all winter(I live in Northeast Ohio). I have room to park the tractor in the garage, but I am worried about the snow when it melts off the tractor after using it this winter. have no floor drains in the garage. Instead, the floor is pitched about 1/8" per foot to drain the water to the front towards the door. The problem with this, is it will hit my door seal and pool to the sides, which will then hit the wooden base of my work bench which is simply not acceptable...

The garage is not heated, however it is attached to the house and remains around 40 degrees most of the winter. At the plumbing company I used to work for, we stored a Kioti 4wd tractor, a CAT skidsteer, and an IHI trackhoe outside in one of those metal framed tarp covered car port things you can buy for 300$ or so. All of this equipment was used in the winter, and none of it was hooked up to engine block heaters. We simply let the glow plugs warm for 30secs or so and they all would fire right up. But....of course I am a scaredy-cat, as this tractor is my baby, and I am worried about leaving it outside all year in one of these carport things.


So-the real question here-is there any harm in leaving the equipment outside during below freezing temperatures? I got below zero last year quite a bit as well. I am worried about the hydraulic lines, the oil, and honestly just the severe heat cycling that everything will experience going from ice cold to full operating temps...

This brings another question, would a block heater be beneficial? And if so, where can I get one/which type/brand should I get?

Pretend I know nothing at all, and school me on winter usage here. I promise I will not be offended!

:confused2:

The best thing for your tractor will be to store it in a heated, temperature controlled, Humidity controlled environment. It's also better for your tractor if you change the oil every time you use it. It fact it's best for your tractor if you actually never use it at all. It will last a lot longer that way.

What's best for your tractor has to be balanced against what's best for you. Lots of us use our tractors outside all winter without storing in a garage or shop. It may wear a little more on the tractor, but it works fine. If I had to choose between storing my tractor vs. my Mustang in a garage the Mustang would win easily. All of the problems you brought up about water in the garage, etc. are good things to consider. It sounds like you really ought to find someplace besides the garage for storing your tractor.

Do find something to at least keep the snow off your seat.

A block heater does make a difference. Katz are good heaters.

 

[devongarver]

Are the Kats just a magnetic heater?
Also, if I only push snow 3-4 times a week, would I still leave the block heater plugged in the entire time it is parked? I mean is it ok to leave for 3 days like this, or should I only hook it up the night before? I could always used a mechanically timed outlet and have it kick on at night for me to use in the morning.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Are the Kats just a magnetic heater?

They have frost plug heaters and radiator hose heaters too. Go to your dealer and see what they recommend. Some of these little tractors have blocks too small to accomodate a frost plug heater.

Also, if I only push snow 3-4 times a week, would I still leave the block heater plugged in the entire time it is parked? I mean is it ok to leave for 3 days like this, or should I only hook it up the night before? I could always used a mechanically timed outlet and have it kick on at night for me to use in the morning.

You're probably okay either way. I like to plug mine in for an hour or so before I use it rather than leave it on all the time. Your tractor will tell you what works best. Mine starts fine without the block heater. I just feel like it's better for the tractor to have it warmed up a bit before I start it.

 

[flyingcow]

Block heater of some sort. Just plug it in a couple of hours before starting. Usually enough. I used to run synthetic oil, motor will turn over easier.

 

[DiezNutz]

It fact it's best for your tractor if you actually never use it at all.

I probably don't need to point out to you how that statement isn't really true, do I?

Devon,
The advice to get a block heater is good advice in your situation. Other than that, don't work the tractor hard until it has warmed up some. That being said, in the coldest weather you could leave a Diesel idle forever and it will never truly get up to operating temperature. Nor should you let it idle extensively.

Again that's were the block heater comes in handy. :thumbsup:

 

[BXpanded]

Consider that construction equipment spends its entire life outside with no cover at all. It is started on the coldest of days and at best, is given mere moments to warm up. Still, it'll run hard for a couple thousand hours per year for many years with much less maintenance than you would think. That, as it is, the appearance can suffer greatly from the exposure, mostly from the sun.

 

[lungdoc]

We use our 4320 with blower and store in an unheated steel building without floor drains. Doesn't seem to be a huge issue, although it's a big building at 40x60. Do use a block heater, plug it in a few hrs ahead if it's cold. I do take 15 minutes or so after blowing with a broom to get rid of most of the snow from the tractor and blower which helps a lot. It also prevents refreezing water blocking important blower parts. I park on some cardboard for oil drip reasons anyway, this would probably also catch small amounts of water and allow it to evaporate intead of running off. If it is consistently cold out the stuff that isn't near engine or warm parts won't melt quickly in the building anyway.

 

[CBW1999]

I had the dealer install a frost plug heater in my B7510. I used to leave it plugged in all night, but figured out that an hour or so would warm it up enough.

I tend to only use it during our coldest part of winter (44 below at 5am)- which lasts about 2 weeks (kind of Arctic wind shift thing). Otherwise, even at below zero, it starts fine with an extended glow plug warm up (30 seconds).

The only other thing to be careful of is the Hydraulics. I have a gear shift tractor, so warming up the fluid for the FEL seems to take a while. So, I let it idle, have another cup of coffee and then cycle the FEL a couple of times SLOWLY to circulate the fluid.

Last winter I bought a "magnet" heater with the intent of putting it on the hydraulic fluid reservoir to help warm it up. I might actually get it placed there this year....

Otherwise, it sits outside year round- and after 5 years, it is still running strong

 

[beenthere]

......... but I am worried about the snow when it melts off the tractor after using it this winter. have no floor drains in the garage. Instead, the floor is pitched about 1/8" per foot to drain the water to the front towards the door. The problem with this, is it will hit my door seal and pool to the sides, which will then hit the wooden base of my work bench which is simply not acceptable...
.................
:confused2:

First, I don't think the tractor needs to be stored inside.

But the reasons you listed for not storing it inside shouldn't keep you from doing that. IMO

Put the work bench on blocks to keep any moisture from contacting the wood base. And minimal effort clearing some melted snow/water from the tractor will (should) keep the door from freezing down and water pooling. I wash my car in the garage in the winter, and some of the water pools against the garage door rubber astragal and doesn't present a problem.
And very little salt will take care of it if it does.

 

[flyingcow]

We use our 4320 with blower and store in an unheated steel building without floor drains. Doesn't seem to be a huge issue, although it's a big building at 40x60. Do use a block heater, plug it in a few hrs ahead if it's cold. I do take 15 minutes or so after blowing with a broom to get rid of most of the snow from the tractor and blower which helps a lot. It also prevents refreezing water blocking important blower parts. I park on some cardboard for oil drip reasons anyway, this would probably also catch small amounts of water and allow it to evaporate intead of running off. If it is consistently cold out the stuff that isn't near engine or warm parts won't melt quickly in the building anyway.

Good advice

 

[devongarver]

Wow thanks for all the good responses. I guess I just worry that my tractor isn't made to withstand the same elements as larger tractors, or construction equipment. We have been looking at the tarp/fabric style car ports to atleast keep the snow/sun/rain off of the tractor. Does anyone have any experience with using these? I have found some I like, but they are 650$ and up shipped, and for something "temporary" I am not sure if I want to drop that kind of cash. I found a cheap one at good old Harbor Freight for 220$, but it is not long enough to fit my tractor in with the box scraper attached out back, let alone the brush hog. We have plans to build another garage in the future for the tractor and for a lift to work on the cars. But, that's not happening any time soon, that's for sure.

 

[BXRICK]

I'd do something like the carport.
As you can tell form the previous posts, the temperature isn't the big deal.
To me, the big deal is having to clean off the tractor before using it, and then, because you didn't feel like doing a perfect job cleaning it off, sitting in some snow, and putting your feet in some snow, while you use it.
I kept my BX outside for a couple of seasons. It was a pain.
Now, I keep it in an unheated shed, and it's much more convenient.

Oh, and I know it isn't the main point of this thread, but make sure you use a liberal amount of fuel additive all the time. Just dump it in. Dump it in the fuel tank of the tractor, as well as the can you're using to fill it. Don't worry if you're using a little too much. Get in the habit. Do it summer and winter. You never know how long the fuel in the tabk will be there. And, summer fuel needs it more. Fuel issue are the number one thing that can ruin an otherwise glorious winter day moving snow.

 

[devongarver]

I use this from walmart, and I usually add a 3 oz bottle to every 5 gallon can which I only fill with about 4.5 gallons. I assumed that should be enough? I cannot remember for the life of me how much it recommended putting in, but I remember when I thought it out that 3oz would be more than they recommended. I wanna say maybe it was 1 oz to every 2 gallons?

 

[DiezNutz]

I use this from walmart

Perfect! :thumbsup:

Yeah I think we should qualify "dump"... follow the label directions. A little extra won't hurt since it says you can use extra for "cleanup". But there's no point in wasting it, plus I'm sure there's a point at which too much is not a good thing.

Otherwise I agree, get in the habit of using it year round.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Look at the second post in this thread: Two more Kioti owners - TractorByNet.com
Because my tractor is a cab model, it won't quite fit into one of those tarp mini-garages, though I was tempted by an RV version that I saw for sale last spring. I'm pricing machinery storage buildings now, since I can't bear the thought of all my implements rusting outside all the time.

My Kioti DK45SC came with a block heater, which I used the first winter (pluggin in an hour or two before starting up). I haven't used the block heater since then, though; it starts up fine without it. It seldom gets very far below zero F here, though.

BOB

 

[djradz]

I live in southern Michigan, so our environments are not all that different. For years I stored mine in a ricketty old small wooden shed with a dirt floor, which at least kept the snow off of it. Biggest problem was with mice getting in around the engine and chewing on things, but until they severed a starter wire, it always fired up with just using the glow plugs. I did have a block heater, but never left it plugged in. If it was extremely cold, say below 10 degrees, I would plug it in a few hours before hand, if I remembered. I never wanted to leave it plugged in because it drew a lot of current. Maybe something of lower wattage, like ~ 100-200 watts could be left plugged in longer term. The mice would have really appreciated that!

If you really want to pull it into your garage (mine is now in a semi-heated barn/garage) you might want to consider just disconnecting the blade (or whatever your plowing device) and brushing off the snow on the tractor with a broom or brush. I"ve done this for years and other than a little snow stuck to the wheels (because they're warm) very little is left to melt. For what does, I've got a couple of towels I sometimes throw behind the wheels to soak the small amount of resulting water up.

 

[devongarver]

Mice...Blasted flipping mice...I HATE mice. Any good tips to rid them? I have atleast one in my house right now that seems disinterested in any source of food I put in my traps...But I know he is still around because I find new little mouse droppings every few days...

I am debating building a shed to store it in...until I can build a garage. Does anyone here use any other types of sheds than a carport? I would have no issue building one from scratch, except that I am so **** rententive I would probably end up with a 30x40 pole barn instead of a shed lol. Oh, I need space for this too, if I am going this big, just a little bigger won't cost much more. Over and over again and i will have a 15k$ building or more...

 

[DiezNutz]

Mice...Blasted flipping mice...I HATE mice. Any good tips to rid them?

I assume you're familiar with the conventional methods...

If mice want to snuggle up to your nice warm tractor, it doesn't make much difference whether it's sitting outside in the open or in a shed.