Tractor use this winter

wkndwrnch · #1 02/15/15, 11:35 AM

My 57 TO-35 has not seen much snow plowing use this winter! (I guess that is not a bad thing)I have been starting it and using it,just to keep fluids moving. On the really cold days is it better to run it up to temperature and use it or leave it alone?Thanks for your thoughts

Knight9 · #2 02/15/15, 12:22 PM

On cold days here if it has not snowed and I don't need the tractor, I let it sit. In my opinion a cold start is probably harder on it than it sitting. I do have a block heater though, so if I know I need it, I'll plug it in a few hours ahead of time to warm up a little.

I spent a few hours on my Kubota yesterday moving snow. But it was a sunny day, so I won't complain.

Kevin

logbuilder · #3 02/15/15, 12:25 PM

This was my first year with a FEL. I was hoping for a good snow but so far none. Two years ago I had 4 feet on the ground and and had to hike in.

jwal10 · #4 02/15/15, 12:37 PM

Only start when needed but when you do start it, get it up to temperature. Add something in front of radiator, remove some or all when it gets to temperature....James

coolrunnin · #5 02/15/15, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwal10

Only start when needed but when you do start it, get it up to temperature. Add something in front of radiator, remove some or all when it gets to temperature....James

I am curious why you want to remove what you added if the weather remains cold, if it warms yes, but otherwise leave the weather front attached.

FarmboyBill · #6 02/15/15, 01:56 PM

abopt it

FarmboyBill · #7 02/15/15, 01:58 PM

In the old days, they would close off the canvas weather front to start it and get the kero hot. That made it run better with more power. Don't know but that might be the same theory with Diesel. AFTER it got hot they would retract the weather front by degrees so that the radiator wouldn't run hot. I guess they could tell how much to roll it up by the way the tractor continued to run.

jwal10 · #8 02/15/15, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolrunnin

I am curious why you want to remove what you added if the weather remains cold, if it warms yes, but otherwise leave the weather front attached.

Only if it gets too hot. To warm it up quick, I have put cardboard right in front of the radiator, if all blocked off and working tractor hard it can get too hot. Watch the temp gauge....James

FarmboyBill · #9 02/15/15, 09:50 PM

Ive got my front mounted blade on the H but it hasn't got the hyd hooked up yet so I cant move it forward. I got it backed up against my horse grader so I cant go backwards. These are at the welder torch. I can use the 34 Case, but it hasn't started in around 4 mos. It is out of gas also, BUT I got a couple gal of Ethyl I can put in it, BUT, with it not having started in such a long time, I imagine there may be rust on the points of the mag making it hard,, if not impossible to start by hand.

I got to get out and buy some chicken feed tomorrow, as I forgot to buy it today after church, when I was already 1/2 way there. I NEVER buy anything on Sunday, so that's the reason I forgot it. I turned the pk around so I don't have to do it tomorrow when the snow and ice will be on the ground to get out the driveway.

Homesteader1 · #10 02/16/15, 10:30 AM

I have a Kubota 4-wheel drive, we don't get enough snow to move, but I take it out on the ridges to get trees blown down. If it get;s like really cold I'll run it until she gets all warmed up. I check the antifreeze every spring and fall. I like the idea of of block warmer. Need to get one,just in case.

Micheal · #11 02/16/15, 01:05 PM

Just came inside from using my TN60-A. Took bout 1 1/2 hours with the block heater plugged in and the battery charger hooked up to get it started.
Once started it took bout 5 minutes of run time to get the power steering to warm up enough to be able for the front wheels to be able to turn.
Of course the 3-point hitch was super slow for about 15-20 minutes of running before it to operated normally. Needed to push bout the 0-10 inches of blown snow out of the driveway.

Anyway this time of year I only run the tractor if and when needed. And on a day like today being minus 4 outside (noon time temp) trust me it's a l-o-n-g ordeal just to get it started and truly used long enough to get it "warmed" up.....
Only if I could say the same for me....

Brrrrrrrrr.

Oh, by the way, the tractor is kept in a barn that only holds firewood and of course the tractor.

bja105 · #12 02/16/15, 06:36 PM

I do my best to avoid needing the big tractor in very cold weather. My garden tractor can handle most snow duties, and it starts easier. I don't yet have electricity to my new tractor shed, so i don't run the tractor if I think I need the block heater.
I find that mine warms up above C at a medium idle in a few minutes. I haven't had any hydraulic problems as cold as -10, but I have new fluid and filters, and my tractor is only 30 years old.

I don't like using the loader to move snow. My loader is only 5' but the tractor tread is 7', so it doesn't do well, and tears up the driveway gravel.

The garden tractor does well in dry snow, or shallow wet snow.

bigjon · #13 02/16/15, 07:39 PM

both my tractors set in the garage all winter.i use my plow truck-a lot this winter!

GeneMO · #14 02/16/15, 08:03 PM

The Farmall 706 I use now was bought new when I was in 8th grade. I am 60 now. So it is a lot like me, rather slowing down, and retired.

It doesn't like to start when it gets much below 40 degrees. Unless I plug in the block heater. So it has sat in the shed this winter pretty much undisturbed.

We have only had one snow of any consequence, and that was today, we got maybe 3"

Gene

Silvercreek Farmer · #15 02/19/15, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight9

On cold days here if it has not snowed and I don't need the tractor, I let it sit. In my opinion a cold start is probably harder on it than it sitting.

+1

Is the TO35 gas or diesel?

wkndwrnch · #16 02/20/15, 04:12 PM

Gas, (Z134)I have removed the back hoe for the winter,and am using the 3 point blade for snow,along with front end loader.Chains or rear wheel weights would really help for traction in snow,but drive way is not that big and fairly flat.It always starts,and runs great,Hydraulics do take some time to warm up though.

bigjon · #17 02/20/15, 06:34 PM

wkndwrnch? both my tractors are fergusons-first-te20(1948) 2nd-to30-1954,used for veggie farm.

SmokeEater2 · #18 02/20/15, 07:55 PM

I generally only start my my tractor, A 1954 Allis Chalmers CA in very cold weather if I need it.

It always starts right up and I let it run until the motor warms up before moving it and then I go slow and easy for a bit to let everything come up to operating temperature gradually.

It seems to keep the old girl happy.

wkndwrnch · #19 02/21/15, 04:33 AM

New addition to the property! 1977 Power King! Wife wanted a tractor she could just get on and use,not have to worry about loader,and turn on gas,etc. I found a 14 hp with 24inch rims, it has been gone through,and runs great. This will be the primary mower,and multi use tractor. Might look for a cat 0 blade to move some snow.

Silvercreek Farmer · #20 02/21/15, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkndwrnch

New addition to the property! 1977 Power King! Wife wanted a tractor she could just get on and use,not have to worry about loader,and turn on gas,etc. I found a 14 hp with 24inch rims, it has been gone through,and runs great. This will be the primary mower,and multi use tractor. Might look for a cat 0 blade to move some snow.

Nice! Plenty of Fluid in the tires, wheel weights, and chains and that little tractor will really surprise you. Great for working in tight spots, too.

Ethanol free gas with some stabilizer and running once a month or so are probably about the only things that might help out over the winter.