Extreme Cold weather operation

[bird dogger]

Message sent for an LX2620.

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

 

[BruceMc]

Maybe some scenic winter Kubota pics in the Alaskan wild country are in the near future??
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.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

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.

 

[torch]

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).

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.

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!

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.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

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.