Winterize my H?

[roxynoodle]

Is there anything special I need to do for my H this winter? I have an engine block heater for the Yanmar but since the H is a gas engine I'm thinking it doesn't need one. It will be used throughout the winter and if I go for more than a week without using it due to weather, I was planning on starting it and running it for awhile. It has a 12 volt conversion and so far is still starting on the first try (our coldest temp so far has been 15 degrees). This is my first vintage tractor so I figured I should ask/seek advice.

 

[Nat]

Make sure the antifreeze is ok and you should be ready to go. Later, Nat
BTW, did you ever order a gas cap?

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Farmall gas engines that are in relatively decent tune will start first time, every time. If you are just pulling a spreader for a few minutes at a time, you should cover the grill as the radiators on Farmalls are about double the capacity that is needed. If you your H still has its thermostat, its probably a 160 degree unit. Need to cook the condensation out of the engine/pan every week or so. Bobg in VA

 

[roxynoodle]

Make sure the antifreeze is ok and you should be ready to go. Later, Nat
BTW, did you ever order a gas cap?

Yes, the gas cap came within a week. It is a big, ugly one but that's ok. Thanks for that info! My newest project is to replace the seat bushings. I got some a few days ago but haven't had time to put them in yet.

How long should the tractor run to burn off any condensation in the thermostat? I will probably only be spreading when the ground is frozen because the farmer disced up the field behind me and I don't want to get the tractor stuck (or buried!). I think he was stuck because he finished in the low spot and left the tractor there until Sunday. We had several inches of rain on Friday and then everything froze. The rain was so extreme though that most of the rivers, creeks and ditches overflowed their banks and really made a mess. This morning is the first time it has been over freezing since the rain so I know today everything will be wet and mud.

 

[Egon]

Put in a block heater or in-line hose heater. Those older tractors didn't start worth a dam in cold weather.

Many had a team of horses placed in front of them to pull start them.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Put in a block heater or in-line hose heater. Those older tractors didn't start worth a dam in cold weather.

Many had a team of horses placed in front of them to pull start them.

Egon, not sure which planet your Farmall was from, but if you got spark, gas, and air into a C, H, or M (or any of their Super brothers), they would fire right up. I regularly start a '53 Super C with the hand crank on the first pull, just because I can.

As far as how long to run them, the condensation will build up in the pan and the valve cover (above the engine). Simple fix is take a double thick plasic trashbag and duct tape it over the grill. Some folks may say don't, but theres' plenty of space between the grill and the radiator that some air can get thru. This will help you engine warm up faster and stay warm longer so that the block temp can get up enough to evaporate any condensation. BobG in VA

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Rox,
As Bob stated if they are in tune and timed properly they will start fairly easy. Other than the tuning and timing and antifreeze, I also use straight 20 wt as opposed to 30 wt for easier winter starting.

Thats just a suggestion

 

[Egon]

Same planet as everyone else. Lets try -25C and see what happens.

 

[Nat]

Now Egon, everyone knows if it's that cold there is no need to even go outside, I don't think I start at -25C. I have a hard time getting moving if it less that 50 F. Later, Nat

 

[roxynoodle]

If it's -25F I'm only going out for animal care (admittedly several times due to freezing water buckets and their need for extra calories in such temps). If it's -25C I will not be running a tractor or anything else!

My tractor is parked indoors, although it's an old corncrib and not entirely wind proof. Is condensation still a big enough problem that I need to cover the grill?

If this is a normal year I don't expect any real air temps below -10F. The coldest I can ever remember was -28F in 1994.