BruceMc, your "Tractor Tuxedo" is on its way to you!! Your tractor will be stylish and warm in that -40° F Alaskan outdoors! Maybe some scenic winter Kubota pics in the Alaskan wild country are in the near future??
David
Extreme Cold weather operation
- Thread starter 91diesel
- Start date
David
A little dark for scenery, but mama moose came by this evening and gave the LX2620 the once over before deciding to join her calf. Notice her flipping her ears back a few seconds in - that's the classic danger sign of a moose getting ready to stomp something they think is a threat.Maybe some scenic winter Kubota pics in the Alaskan wild country are in the near future??
David
Another option: Get a BUDGE B2 car cover [WalMart] and a space heater. Cover the whole tractor and put the heater under the 3-pt hitch section pointed toward the transmission so the cover is held away from the heater.
Two to three hours before using the tractor put the space heater on High.
I put the B2 in a 5 gallon bucket and poured water repellent over it, then wrung it out and let it dry. Makes it thicker and helps keep the heat in.
When done blowing I put the heater up front and melt the ice out of the blower. Electricity isn't free, but it sure keeps things running great!
I put an SAE plug under the seat going to the wire connectors by the top link. When stored it hooks to the battery maintainer, when running to my heated clothing and glove liners.
Two to three hours before using the tractor put the space heater on High.
I put the B2 in a 5 gallon bucket and poured water repellent over it, then wrung it out and let it dry. Makes it thicker and helps keep the heat in.
When done blowing I put the heater up front and melt the ice out of the blower. Electricity isn't free, but it sure keeps things running great!
I put an SAE plug under the seat going to the wire connectors by the top link. When stored it hooks to the battery maintainer, when running to my heated clothing and glove liners.
torch
Well-known member
Equipment
B7100HSD, B2789, B2550, B4672, 48" cultivator, homemade FEL and Cab
Consider adding an electric battery blanket. Between glowing the plugs and cranking the engine cold weather is hard on the battery. Warming the battery can help ensure full cranking capacity.
How's your risk tolerance? Clearing snow as a favour can be considered in the light of being a good Samaritan with limited liability. Charging a fee changes the game if something goes wrong and snow-clearing liability insurance is pricey for a reason. From damage to things under the snow to personal injury due to slips and falls the property owner's insurance company is going to go after you to make themselves whole.
My son did snow clearing as part of his property maintenance business; it seemed like a way to generate income during the off-season. Despite the underwriter's required legalese in every contract, more than half the price went to insurance -- thousands of dollars per month whether it snows or not. And that did not include the actual vehicle insurance.
Then there's the headaches. People who were on a per-visit contract complained he plowed too often. Seasonal contracts complained he let the snow get too deep. Everybody wanted their property to be first on the route and cleared by 7am.
Speaking of contract types, you need a balance of per-visit and seasonal. If there's a lot of snow in a given year, the per-visit contracts are going to cover the increased running costs. If there's not much snow, the seasonal contracts are going to cover the insurance and other fixed costs. If you are really lucky, the annual snowfall lands somewhere in the middle and you actually make a few bucks that year.
Personally I just look after my own place and the section of our private road that fronts my property. If there's a heavy snow and my neighbours are away or have equipment trouble or just didn't get out of bed yet, then I'll be nice and clear a path for them too. But I never charge for it.
I did several lots back in '75ish with a CJ-5 and manual plow. Made GREAT money ($60 per hour, day job was <17 ), if it snowed, I plowed. Always got to work on time too ! Now I use the BX23S to clear neighbours driveways in exchange I get homemade soup, strudels,sourdough bread,free range eggs and all the steel I want.
Got the 'Tuxedo' on my LX2620 this weekend and I am a very happy camper. Here in Fairbanks it's pretty routine to plow in subzero temps all winter long. Even with full cardboard blocking the radiator and working it hard, the tractor struggled to keep 2 bars on the temp gauge. With bird dogger's covers I spent 5 hours plowing yesterday in -15ºF at a full 3 bars. Warm enough that I had to turn the heater down (a first). The other nice thing is that I could take a break, turn the engine off, and come back 1/2 hour later to an engine that was still warm. The covers fit well and didn't shift at all. Recommended.BruceMc, your "Tractor Tuxedo" is on its way to you!! Your tractor will be stylish and warm in that -40° F Alaskan outdoors! Maybe some scenic winter Kubota pics in the Alaskan wild country are in the near future??
David
Rcflyer330
Active member
Equipment
Kubota B2650 Cab, B2779 Broom, B2782B Snowblower, RB1672 rear blade
Now that is pretty cool. https://www.yarbo.com
It's dramatically more awesome than my mower only. If I lived somewhere with snow, that's definitely what I'd have.
It's dramatically more awesome than my mower only. If I lived somewhere with snow, that's definitely what I'd have.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Looking at the Yarbo leaf and snow blowers, if I had a lawn that small I could handle it with a push mower, string trimmer, and shovel in just a few moments. Getting a Yarbo for maintaining a postage-stamp lawn for a McMansion is like needing a robot to turn on the water faucet because it's too difficult to do on your own.
No regrets. I'm happy with it. I'm a big guy (6'1" 300#) so it's a bit tight getting in and out, but perfectly comfortable once I'm in the seat. My only complaint is where they put the treadle pedal. I wish it was located 3-4" forward.
Glad your set of covers finally made it to Alaska, Bruce!! And even better that they're meeting your expectations and keeping both your tractor & you warm at the same time!! That's sure a nice setup with that factory cab and blades for winter snow duties.
The "Arctic Vinyl" cold weather rating should easily be good for your coldest temps way up north..... but if you ever have any issues with it, please let me know!! I think your cold temps there may beat our testing grounds here in ND, at least during the last few years. But that's ok!!
David
torch
Well-known member
Equipment
B7100HSD, B2789, B2550, B4672, 48" cultivator, homemade FEL and Cab
6000 sq. ft. 1" deep per charge.
It wouldn't make it 1/2 way down my driveway. And that thing better have a fast charge mode; around here it can drop an inch in less than 15 minutes. I've seen 36" overnight and 12" overnight is not unusual.
Mowing lawns is one thing, but snow removal is a whole 'nuther ball game.
I had that problem for a while.......and then realised the seat had a slide back and forwards. Checking if your LX does, and if you know about it.
Yep. I have it all the way back. I have no cartilage left in the right knee, so it doesn't flex very well. It's mostly a problem planting my heel to reverse. In comparison to my BX25 it seems a further rearward. It's workable on the LX, but not as comfortable as on the BX.
Here is the tractor I use when it's cold outside. It's not very fast, the FEL on it sucks major balls and it takes about 30 minutes or so to wake up and do some useful work. Other than that, it's great to have around when it's cold.
