Extreme Cold weather operation

[imnukensc]

The owner's manual for the 23S has instructions for operating the PTO when not on the tractor. You don't have to "trick" the seat switch (unless they've changed something).

 

[91diesel]

No, you're correct. If you unlock the seat on the bx23s and lift it up you'll be good to go (dang reading instructions! who does that?)

 

[DustyRusty]

No, you're correct. If you unlock the seat on the bx23s and lift it up you'll be good to go (dang reading instructions! who does that?)

Putting a jumper between the terminals of the seat switch accomplishes the same thing. My old BX22 didn't have any of these new seat switches to drive you crazy.

 

[kubotasam]

Nope! the nanny staters win again! in N, parking brake set, tractor will shut off with pto engaged if you're not in the seat. I just picked up a 50" pto snowblower, so it'd be nice to have it warming up a bit as well. Guess I'll go to the fake weight trick.

Your post leads me to the conclusion that you are going to leave the tractor running with the PTO engaged and the snow blower turning while the tractor warms up. I am hoping that I just do not understand what you are going to do. Leaving a PTO operated implement running while you are not in the seat or very near the tractor is a very dangerous thing to do.

 

[91diesel]

Not at just above idle speed in the middle of a cleared out piece of land with the parking brake on it isn't. It also allows me to give the blower a once around while it's slowly rotating to look and listen for any problems from the day before. I'm near the tractor

 

[BAP]

I'd have to trick the seat switch to run the PTO, otherwise the tractor shuts off if I'm not sitting on it.

Most Kubota’s, if you tip the seat up against the steering wheel, you can run the PTO without pressure on the seat sensor.

 

[ItBmine]

Been minus 40 here all week. When it gets that cold I will use the block heater .

I could be right or wrong, but I don't agree with the manual saying to apply half throttle or higher when starting and warming up. I start all mine at idle, then let them idle for a bit before I bring the RPM up a BIT.

Then as others have said, I'll go have a coffee or do my hand shoveling around doors and decks for 20 minutes before I put it to work.
Biggest concern is letting the transmission/hydraulic oil warm up before putting them under stress.

 

[Fido Farms]

Just a thought. For a gear transmission the tranny is somewhat warming up because it’s turning with the engine at idle. For a Hydro if you where really concerned about loosening it up you could put the range selector in neutral, brakes on. Then if you were comfortable making a seat safety switch jumper for these special conditions you can depress the foot peddle (Need something to hold the foot peddle depressed somewhat). Now you have hydro pumping and flowing without moving the tractor.

 

[RMS]

Newbie question,, Is it ever too cold to run your tractor? What comes to mind are hydraulic hoses too cold/brittle and anything else that might be over stressed due to temperature.

 

[ItBmine]

Newbie question,, Is it ever too cold to run your tractor? What comes to mind are hydraulic hoses too cold/brittle and anything else that might be over stressed due to temperature.

Well several years of minus 40 (minus 50 with wind chill) with everything from little Kubota to full size Cat's and no issues. Just proper warm up time.
Anything colder than that, I would not want to be out in it anyway, LOL

 

[bird dogger]

I agree, warm the tractor up first and then work it! Same sub zero winter temps here in North Dakota. Once the tractor is warmed up, it needs to be worked to keep the engine temp up in that mid range. The longer the better, all to burn off any condensation that might have been built up inside the engine upon shut down from the last use.

 

[Jwd55]

Ok, new here and I did use search with 3 different phrases.
My question is what people think about operation in extremely cold weather? (-5 to -30*f) Just as far as not damaging the tractor goes. It's in the -20's here in Fairbanks AK and although I don't want to go clear mine and other's driveways, a big dump of snow came before the cold weather and I must. My BX23s was bought here and is 'winterized' with a block heater and an oil pan heater (oil pan is shorted I think, so currently not used). I start the tractor, let it run at a little bit of a high idle first. Then I will move the FEL rams in short movements (not the full throw and at a low rpm 1700). Then I'll bring the rpms up to 2200-2500 and drive the tractor in low and work the FEL to more full throws. After this I'll start working the tractor. Like my 12 valve Dodge cummins, the tractor won't really warm up until you start working it some (as far as the temp gauge goes). Any thoughts, opinions, facts, or conjectures are appreciated.
For instance, would you just say clear your own driveway at -10 and below and refuse working on neighbors (for money) or just follow the slow use warm up and use it as a tractor!

So far I have had good luck with Stanadyne diesel fuel additive or power serv, Delo 5w-40 synthetic oil, super UTD in trans, block heater. More additive the colder it gets and longer warm up time.

 

[bird dogger]

Newbie question,, Is it ever too cold to run your tractor? What comes to mind are hydraulic hoses too cold/brittle and anything else that might be over stressed due to temperature.

Here in northeast North Dakota my Kubota B2650 gets used in actual temps of -35°F and routinely in temps well below 0° F. Growing up on the farm, our tractors always had winter front kits on them for their winter duties. I made this 3 piece winter front kit for my B2650 for its winter duties. Without it ...... in below 0° temps the B2650 would never warm up. With the winter fronts installed the B2650 can warm up quickly and operate in those extremely cold temps while showing mid range and above on the temp gauge.
Benefits: Any condensation in the engine boils off, the fuel stays warm under the hood, same for the hydraulic oil, no snow ingestion into the air intake clogging the air filter, and the heater output in the cab is substantially more. Here's a pic of the B2650 winter front covers:

If interested, I also make a set for your LX2610, and a few other models. Here's the LX model:

 

[gmbc]

Regarding blocking off the grill/screen below the steering wheel on your BX23S.....see post #65 here
Behind that removeable outer screen and below the battery there should be one or two removeable plates. Same as what's been done for my neighbor's tractor and a few other's here on OTT. You could block off the outer screen and remove or vary the openings below or in the cover over the outer screen.

I made a cover for someone's BX23S in Fairbanks, I believe, that covered the screen below the steering wheel but also had a variable opening in it to allow more air in as needed.

Our smaller Kubotas need all the help we can give them to keep their engine temps in the midrange in our sub zero temps. Like all the above posters have mentioned.....restricting the cold air intake to the radiator will make for very quick warm ups, help raise the engine temp & help keep it in mid range, burn off internal condensation, keep the fuel warm (if your tank is also under the hood), etc. Once your tractor's warmed up to temp the longer you run it the better! Or until frostbite sets in!!

If you have any questions or interest in a nice easy on/off cover for your outfit.....let me know. Would be happy to get one up to you.
David

Hat are your covers like. They magnetic? You have for B2650

 

[bird dogger]

Hat are your covers like. They magnetic? You have for B2650

Greetings "Northern Neighbor".
Yes, the covers are held in place with strong magnets sewn within the hems. So....easy on/off with no tools or mods to your tractor. I have a B2650 like you, and it was the model for the first set of covers made.

You can see the list of models I have patterns for, along with prices here in the Vendor's Forum.
I try to keep at least one set for each model ready so there isn't much of a delay in shipping. There's links to the write up, descriptions, pics, comments for the models as well in that Vendor's page.
Actually, the upper pic in post #53 above is the very first set made as seen on my own B2650 a number of years ago now. I just put them back on again about a week ago.

Here in North Dakota, my B2650 is a happy camper out working in sub zero temps.

For any questions, feel free to start a conversation!

 

[BruceMc]

For any questions, feel free to start a conversation!

Message sent for an LX2620.

 

[BruceMc]

Ok, new here and I did use search with 3 different phrases.
My question is what people think about operation in extremely cold weather? (-5 to -30*f) Just as far as not damaging the tractor goes. It's in the -20's here in Fairbanks AK and although I don't want to go clear mine and other's driveways, a big dump of snow came before the cold weather and I must.

I'm in Fairbanks, too, and I was going to chime in on the dump we got a few days ago, and that it was -40º here at my place this morning.

Then I noticed the date on this post.

Yep, life in the Golden Heart city goes on.

 

[bird dogger]

I'm in Fairbanks, too, and I was going to chime in on the dump we got a few days ago, and that it was -40º here at my place this morning.

Then I noticed the date on this post.

Yep, life in the Golden Heart city goes on.

Bruce, I can personally attest to the fact that you're not the only one to not notice the date on a prior post. I do the same!!

I replied to your message, too. Thanks
David

 

[Bearcatrp]

Greetings "Northern Neighbor".
Yes, the covers are held in place with strong magnets sewn within the hems. So....easy on/off with no tools or mods to your tractor. I have a B2650 like you, and it was the model for the first set of covers made.

You can see the list of models I have patterns for, along with prices here in the Vendor's Forum.
I try to keep at least one set for each model ready so there isn't much of a delay in shipping. There's links to the write up, descriptions, pics, comments for the models as well in that Vendor's page.
Actually, the upper pic in post #53 above is the very first set made as seen on my own B2650 a number of years ago now. I just put them back on again about a week ago.

Here in North Dakota, my B2650 is a happy camper out working in sub zero temps.

For any questions, feel free to start a conversation!

Ordered mine for my 1880.

 

[nbryan]

Here in northeast North Dakota my Kubota B2650 gets used in actual temps of -35°F and routinely in temps well below 0° F. Growing up on the farm, our tractors always had winter front kits on them for their winter duties. I made this 3 piece winter front kit for my B2650 for its winter duties. Without it ...... in below 0° temps the B2650 would never warm up. With the winter fronts installed the B2650 can warm up quickly and operate in those extremely cold temps while showing mid range and above on the temp gauge.
Benefits: Any condensation in the engine boils off, the fuel stays warm under the hood, same for the hydraulic oil, no snow ingestion into the air intake clogging the air filter, and the heater output in the cab is substantially more. Here's a pic of the B2650 winter front covers:
View attachment 73488

If interested, I also make a set for your LX2610, and a few other models. Here's the LX model:
View attachment 73489

I just affix a poly sheet to the radiator bug screen, with a 6"x6" hole in the center.
DIY.