fuel additives or more needed for winter

[bearskinner]

I use a winter diesel additive for parking the BX between plowings, but it will be in an uninsulated metal building, so it will be below freezing for extended periods of time. How hard is cold starting after sitting a week or two in freezing weather? should I put a little buddy heater under the tractor for a few minutes prior to starting it up? this will be my first winter with the little BX

 

[85Hokie]

I use a winter diesel additive for parking the BX between plowings, but it will be in an uninsulated metal building, so it will be below freezing for extended periods of time. How hard is cold starting after sitting a week or two in freezing weather? should I put a little buddy heater under the tractor for a few minutes prior to starting it up? this will be my first winter with the little BX

In your part of the world - I would think it would be a good idea for the heater!!! and a blanket, pour hot coffee on it and start a fire under it !!

seriously - get a block heater or some other type - the buddy heater will do the job but must be careful where you point the heat! I burned a sofa a few years ago at 3 feet!! And you will need the heater for more than a few minutes.....more like 30 plus!

I would get a magnetic heater or water jacket heater......

and hold the glows plugs for 30-60 seconds, should not have a problem, my idea of cold around here is 30F ! your cold will be a wee bit cooler !

 

[Humblebub]

On my little island -25C with wind chill of -50C shelter is my friend. While I know it does not specifically address your question I find it interesting here that temperature in my shop is seldom below freezing and if it is below it is not by much. my shop is insulated and sheltered by trees but I never turn on the heat unless I plan on spending time there. Everything starts including a couple of very picky German motorcycles. This is my first winter with a tractor and as I was given a magnetic heater I will try that first. I am hoping that the magnetic heater along with time with the propane heater on for 15 minutes that I will have success. I am new to diesels so I really have no idea if my plan is logical. January and February is just plain nasty here.

 

[Orange Tractors]

As long as your fuel isn't gelled, AND YOU HAVE A GOOD BATTERY, neither bearskinner or Humblebug should have any problems starting their tractors.

I am not a fan of magnetic heaters, I would much prefer to have some sort of coolant heater. Either the freeze plug type or one that goes in the lower radiator hose.

Robert

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I use a winter diesel additive for parking the BX between plowings, but it will be in an uninsulated metal building, so it will be below freezing for extended periods of time. How hard is cold starting after sitting a week or two in freezing weather? should I put a little buddy heater under the tractor for a few minutes prior to starting it up? this will be my first winter with the little BX

Just north of you, typing as the snow is flying here...... , You need to get a block heater and a thermo cube, or just plug it in a couple of hours before use.

Humblebub,
I would suggest the same for you!

 

[Humblebub]

Thanks NIW. Passing by the dealer today and will be taking your advice.

 

[Tooljunkie]

I have been considering this myself. Fuel-antigel is a must.
Block heater? Havent decided. Garage? Very small insulated -1500 watts will keep it nice for kubota and the minivan. I will save money by heating garage instead of two block heaters and a interior car warmer.

 

[bearskinner]

Just north of you, typing as the snow is flying here...... , You need to get a block heater and a thermo cube, or just plug it in a couple of hours before use.

Humblebub,
I would suggest the same for you!

Looks like they make a thread in block heater for the little BX. N.I.Wolfman in a previous post you talked about possibly getting a trans heater. Do you use that also? I have the BX inside my shop, so its out of the wind, but its not insulated. It wouldn't be a problem to plug it in an hour or so before plowing. This is my first mini diesel, so gotta ask a lot of stupid questions, and read up on it. I only have 28 hours, so not even an oil change yet, only greasing the zirks, but it would probably be a good idea to do a synthetic oil change to winter oil. a little early wont hurt

 

[bearskinner]

ok, I pulled the engine cover, and my BX does NOT have a threaded fitting area to install the block heater. Ill go by the K dealer and see what they say, and take a look at the part if they have one in stock. so much for an easy install.

 

[Daren Todd]

From what i've seen of some of the other posts for the block heater it looked like you pull a freeze plug, tap in an adapter, and screw in the block heater.

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15979&highlight=block+heater+install
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16028&highlight=block+heater+install

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I use Mystic JT5 hydraulic oil in mine, but it's an older unit and nothing fancy about it, I would recommend changing to SUDT2 for your situation, flows better cold and winter use here can get real hard on fluid flow.
Heating the hydraulic fluid would be great but I have not found a good heater for that use, most heaters will just cook the oil.
The pump and flow will heat the hydraulic oil up nicely in a rather short period of time so no real problems there as long as it starts to flow, I had a problem last year using a generic hydraulic oil that turned to molasses when the temps got below 0.

I put a block heater in mine via the freeze plugs and it was quick, you have a little less room to work with but it's doable.

On and this is what my front yard looked like this morning.

 

[bearskinner]

what a difference 25 miles can make. there was barely any noticeable frost on the ground this morning, and we spent a few hours digging and putting poles in the ground for a carport and pump house cover. I'm actually outside in a tee shirt. ( nice while working) its about 40 here. I called Kubota in CDA and they get $48.00 for the kit, $85.00 to install ( probably one hour labor) which isn't too bad, as I have a lot to build still, and the weathers changing fast. I need to pick up filters ( probably Kubota proprietary anyway) and synthetic motor oil in town, as Ill hit my 50 hour service this winter, so I want to have it all here.

 

[bearskinner]

I picked up a bottle of anti gel, Ctane booster and added it to my tank and gas gas. Also picked up the block heater from the Kubota dealer and installed it in about 20 minutes. It takes longer to take the cover off and drain some antifreeze off, than the install. Just drilled a 1/8" hole and used a slide hammer to remove the freeze plug, tapped in the element, tywrapped the wires in place. all ready for winter once I drop the FEL and hook up the snow blade.