winterize the kubota

[Rich 529]

This is my first winter with the kubota
I live in western Pennsylvania
I probably will only use the machine to move snow during the winter months. We don't get tons of snow so I probably won't have a use for the machine every week.
I keep it parked under a roof, unheated.
What should I do to winterize the machine?
Does any one change any fluids before or after winter, not concerning the hour meter recommendations.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Unregistered2013]

i would make sure your hydro fluid is super udt, not straight udt.

i would also run mobil1 turbodiesel engine oil --

-- make sure you have an antifreeze / water mix in your radiator -- not just water --

-- maybe get a block heater, too.

that's all.

 

[pitt_md]

I recomend a block heater.
My Kubota starts well in the winter but when it gets really cold and you don't have some kind of block heater installed they make sounds that they should not be making.

 

[dex3361]

I always check the freeze protection level with one of the cheap suction bulb testers from the auto parts store. It could be catastrophic failure if it freezes. Lube the tractor and put in fuel conditioner. Put out a few mouse traps or use the spray rodent repellent it seems to work well (capsasin based). Clean machine of heavy dirt or mud that may hold moisture and promote corrosion.

 

[bpattie]

Rich,

I would also keep it full of fuel and add some additive to keep the Diesel from gelling and raise the Cetane level to aid in cold starts. The additive piece seems to be hot topic here and you can find plenty of posts with members debating it. Power Service is one and easily available at Walmart and other auto parts stores. I have used Stanadyne for some time in all my diesel engines and it seems to work well. also, don't have link for it but there was a post maybe a couple months ago that had link to a study done on various additives and ranked them. You would probably find it doing search on additives.

 

[veresjwv]

I agree with everything said, also once started give the tracktor plenty of warm up time before operating to get the Hydraulic fluid pumping. Cold fluid even if SUDT may contribute to some strange noises.

 

[radioman]

yup- fuel treatment is your number one concern. Add power service and run it through the system so your fuel filters is protected as well. Check your radiator freeze protection level and top the fluids everywhere. Get the red bottle of 911 for those emergency gelling of your fuel or have 1/2 gallon of kerosene on hand . (I never had to use it since I been using power service). If you didn't switch to SUDT when you did the 50 hour service, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Add a couple sheets of bounce dryer sheets under the hood somewhere to keep mice out of there just in case. (be sure its not near or on hot surfaces)

 

[BXRICK]

Nothing new to say, really, but I'll say it again: Fuel Treatment.

After a couple of years of treating "winter" fuel, but not bothering the summer, and paying the price a couple of times, I found it was much easier to simply treat the fuel when I buy it, no matter the time of year. It gets you in the habit.
I don't use the tractor all that much, and fuel purchased in say, September, might still be in the tractor 2 months later. It's easier not to worry about it.

Block heater is a good idea, but probably not required. And, if you're going that far, a way to turn on the block heater without trudging outside in the cold.

 

[Rich 529]

Thanks for all of the advice, this is a big help. I'll do the fuel additive, the radiator has antifreeze in it.

BXRICK, i'll take your advice that the block heater is a good idea, but probably not necessary. I'll see how the first winter goes. Anyway, is a block heater something that I can install myself or is it a dealer job?

If you didn't switch to SUDT when you did the 50 hour service, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Add a couple sheets of bounce dryer sheets under the hood somewhere to keep mice out of there just in case. (be sure its not near or on hot surfaces)

I have not approached the 50 hour mark yet. When I do it seems that I should put in SUDT. I will also do the dryer sheet. I never thought about the mice.

Should I remove the battery like I would in a gasoline car engine?

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Thanks for all of the advice, this is a big help. I'll do the fuel additive, the radiator has antifreeze in it.

BXRICK, i'll take your advice that the block heater is a good idea, but probably not necessary. I'll see how the first winter goes. Anyway, is a block heater something that I can install myself or is it a dealer job?


The block heater is an easy job assuming you have the right size allen key, 17mm I think. Its large! if you can drain your coolant, and have the allen key a cheater bar, and 45 minutes, then you can install the block heater... Good luck.

Makes a world of difference in the winter!!!

 

[easygo]

+1 on the block heater. Well worth it.

 

[SouthernConservative]

Here in drought stricken Central Texas.. I have done everything as folks up north..except a fuel additvie - Should I? Texas winters are light by any standard...but I would like to know what any Texas - Central and South owners "winterize".

Thanks

 

[fish6942]

Back when I parked my BX in an unheated garage, I'd plug in the block heater for about an hour before starting it. When I did this, the temp gauge would already be half way to operating temp when it was started!!

 

[bp fick]

My dealer puts block heaters in everything before it goes out the door. SOP up here in the north. Why wouldn't you? It's just got be easier on everything. Frankly, I wish I had put one in my truck years ago.

 

[funkydaddy59]

I've never treated my diesel fuel but make sure you don't use summer bought diesel in the cold, cold winter. The tractor suffers from total loss of power( but will keep running). I find the block heater makes for easy starts and a short wait for the engine to reach operating temperature.

 

[Jay4200]

This is my first winter with the kubota
I live in western Pennsylvania
I probably will only use the machine to move snow during the winter months. We don't get tons of snow so I probably won't have a use for the machine every week.
I keep it parked under a roof, unheated.
What should I do to winterize the machine?
Does any one change any fluids before or after winter, not concerning the hour meter recommendations.

I'd recommend putting a float charger on the battery, and dump a double-dose of Powerservice in the white can in your tank. That's it.

I keep my tractor in a tent-garage. It sits all winter doing nothing. I fill the tank to minimize condensation, put PS in the fuel, and that's it. Always starts right up in the spring - which is when you should change the engine oil. The only thing I am going to do different this year is I'm going to start keeping the battery on a float charger (don't use a "trickle" charger).

JayC

 

[DieselnHooters]

This is my first winter with the kubota
I live in western Pennsylvania
I probably will only use the machine to move snow during the winter months. We don't get tons of snow so I probably won't have a use for the machine every week.
I keep it parked under a roof, unheated.
What should I do to winterize the machine?
Does any one change any fluids before or after winter, not concerning the hour meter recommendations.

Thanks,
Rich

If your machine is fairly new and you bought it from your northern area, then just add some PS to your fuel.

Otherwise just check your battery,connectors, coolant ratio and oil weight....those premium diesels will crank up to -30 no prob with just the plugs.

If you have access to power / block heater you are ready for the next ice age.

 

[mswlogo]

So do think it's better to top off the fuel tank or wait till spring?

I always assumed topping off was best but then after reading some unrelated posts that diesel fuel can start to have stuff grow in it etc. I wonder if it's best to just put fresh fuel in the spring and run it down as low as you can before you store it for winter.

 

[brucewj]

Here in drought stricken Central Texas.. I have done everything as folks up north..except a fuel additvie - Should I? Texas winters are light by any standard...but I would like to know what any Texas - Central and South owners "winterize".

Thanks

I talked to three farmers around me, and all of them said they do not use the fuel treatment. All of them said they HAVE had fuel gell up on them though. After reading all these posts, I bought some PS in the white bottle and added it to my fuel. I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[Bx 23]

Thanks for all of the advice, this is a big help. I'll do the fuel additive, the radiator has antifreeze in it.

BXRICK, i'll take your advice that the block heater is a good idea, but probably not necessary. I'll see how the first winter goes. Anyway, is a block heater something that I can install myself or is it a dealer job?


The block heater is an easy job assuming you have the right size allen key, 17mm I think. Its large! if you can drain your coolant, and have the allen key a cheater bar, and 45 minutes, then you can install the block heater... Good luck.

Makes a world of difference in the winter!!!

Yup, 17 mm and a good bar. Makes things eaiser when it's -20.

You can find some photos on how to install a block heater on a BX.