Cool Weather Prep

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Shep1478

New member

Equipment
2017 Kubota L3901, various implements
Mar 5, 2017
16
0
1
Dahlonega, GA
Hel y'all..

I've got a 2017 L3901 HST w/ about 18 hours total on it.

Since the winter is creeping up, is there anything I should consider about prepping for cooler weather?

Here in the North GA Mtn's, we'll hit the teens as winter low temps every so often. More along the lines of lower to mid 20's for lows during the winter months.

I'm keeping the tractor in my Mother In Laws stack house, so the sides are blocked, but ends are open so no real way to keep it out of the cooler weather unless I move it to an enclosed garage.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Jim
 
B

badcompany

New member
Oct 19, 2017
13
1
0
Georgia
I'm in Ga too, curious to what others do. I don't do anything.

When i used to have motorcycles, i'd keep 'em slam full of fuel all winter to help keep moisture out. And stabil.
 
William1

William1

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX25D
Jul 28, 2015
1,213
409
83
Richmond, Virginia
Add some anti-gel and algecide. Run it a while to ensure the stuff is well mixed in the tank and in the fuel lines to the injectors (30 minutes will do it). Fill the tank to the top. I just did that today to my BX, though I use it to clear snow come winter and need it to run on a bad day. If we get one....

Take the battery out and put it in your basement (assuming you do not plan to run the tractor until spring.)
 
L

lordulrich

New member

Equipment
BX 2370, 60 MMM, Loader, Front Mount Snow Blower, Landpride 3 pt blade, Tiller
Jul 28, 2016
82
0
0
SE Minnesota
Do you intend to use your tractor in the winter? What needs to be done if the tractor sits idle would be different.

I have MUCH colder weather, I grease everything (I like to grease stuff I'm storing before and after I put it into storage), give it a wash and clean the screen on the radiator, switch from loader and mower deck to snow blower, , give the deck and loader a quick coat of paint to keep rust at bay, add anti-gel to my fuel, and make sure to have fuel on hand (almost got stuck one time out of diesel, unable to get the truck out of the driveway) and check my shear bolt supply. I also estimate if I think I'll make it to spring before the next service and if I have anything upcoming get it done before winter because it is no fun in the cold.

I also run my tractor on average weekly during the winter to clear the driveway. I don't have to do much until it hits 0F or so, then I plug in the block heater if I remember.
 
rjcorazza

rjcorazza

Member

Equipment
L4060 HSTC Loader, ZD326, ZD1211
Mar 9, 2016
778
25
18
Hyattstown, MD
We have slightly colder weather here in MD. I treat the fuel with anti gel starting in November, and use a block heater when it gets cold. The block heater isn’t really necessary for Maryland climate, but the tractor starts like on a summer day after 3 hours on the heater.
I forget the various temps for diesel fuel “cloud point” and “cold filter plugging point”. If memory serves, 15 deg f is when bad things start to happen to diesel, and it’s all downhill from there with untreated fuel.
 
D

D2Cat

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Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
14,330
6,566
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
If I'm needing to use a tractor in winter weather I make sure I have a good battery and antifreeze is appropriate. Then I only top off with fuel when I know the supplier has their fuel winterized, so I wait until Nov.

I have 7 diesel engines in machines. A couple don't get used in the winter months at all. A couple get started, maybe, if I get inspired to use them just for the sake of using them. A couple are "go to" machines and need to start in all conditions.

I can't remember the last time I added some concoction to the fuel to make sure they'd go. Off road diesel, that's it.

Use some injector cleaners once in a while, but not a winter only thing.

I think the advertisers indoctrinate folks with scary thoughts if they don't buy their products!!
 
Stmar

Stmar

Active member

Equipment
B2650HSDC
May 23, 2017
932
48
28
Buffalo, Wyoming
If you have electricity available get a battery tender and keep it plugged in, I put a quick connect pigtail on my batter and I have my tractor situated where I plug it in when parked. If you don't have electric then consider a solar charger, I have my lawn tractor battery on one for the winter and also have one on my trolling motor any time it is not in use. Lawn tractor battery is on a small 2 watt and trolling motor is on a 10 watt and since they are on them when not in use it seems to keep a good charge.
 
S

Shep1478

New member

Equipment
2017 Kubota L3901, various implements
Mar 5, 2017
16
0
1
Dahlonega, GA
lordulrich said:
Do you intend to use your tractor in the winter? What needs to be done if the tractor sits idle would be different.

I have MUCH colder weather, I grease everything (I like to grease stuff I'm storing before and after I put it into storage), give it a wash and clean the screen on the radiator, switch from loader and mower deck to snow blower, , give the deck and loader a quick coat of paint to keep rust at bay, add anti-gel to my fuel, and make sure to have fuel on hand (almost got stuck one time out of diesel, unable to get the truck out of the driveway) and check my shear bolt supply. I also estimate if I think I'll make it to spring before the next service and if I have anything upcoming get it done before winter because it is no fun in the cold.

I also run my tractor on average weekly during the winter to clear the driveway. I don't have to do much until it hits 0F or so, then I plug in the block heater if I remember.
Click to expand...
Well, It's possible I'll use it it an Ice Storm rolls in and we need to clear trees; that would be the only real reason I would need to pull it out during the winter.
 
S

Shep1478

New member

Equipment
2017 Kubota L3901, various implements
Mar 5, 2017
16
0
1
Dahlonega, GA
Stmar said:
If you have electricity available get a battery tender and keep it plugged in, I put a quick connect pigtail on my batter and I have my tractor situated where I plug it in when parked. If you don't have electric then consider a solar charger, I have my lawn tractor battery on one for the winter and also have one on my trolling motor any time it is not in use. Lawn tractor battery is on a small 2 watt and trolling motor is on a 10 watt and since they are on them when not in use it seems to keep a good charge.
Click to expand...
YES! Those are awesome! I do have the solar panel so no worries there..
 
S

Shep1478

New member

Equipment
2017 Kubota L3901, various implements
Mar 5, 2017
16
0
1
Dahlonega, GA
D2Cat said:
If I'm needing to use a tractor in winter weather I make sure I have a good battery and antifreeze is appropriate. Then I only top off with fuel when I know the supplier has their fuel winterized, so I wait until Nov.

I have 7 diesel engines in machines. A couple don't get used in the winter months at all. A couple get started, maybe, if I get inspired to use them just for the sake of using them. A couple are "go to" machines and need to start in all conditions.

I can't remember the last time I added some concoction to the fuel to make sure they'd go. Off road diesel, that's it.

Use some injector cleaners once in a while, but not a winter only thing.

I think the advertisers indoctrinate folks with scary thoughts if they don't buy their products!!
Click to expand...
Thats what I was thinking too. I do use only Off-Road diesel in it, and honestly, we don't get so cold here that I was thinking an additive would be much help. The single digit temps are rare; maybe once a year, but never stays there long. But.. the other train of thought is that the additive really couldn't hurt,,could it?
And the fuel injectors additive; yea I do think thats a good idea as well..
 
armylifer

armylifer

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BX1860, FEL, RCK54P MMM, BB1548 Box Scraper, Quick Hitch, Piranha Bar, BX6315
Mar 26, 2013
2,144
914
113
Thurston County, WA
The area that you live in does not really get cold enough to worry about special winter preparation. It is a good idea to add an ounce or two of Power Service Diesel Kleen White bottle to your fuel during winter months though. Number 2 diesel fuel starts to cloud at about 15 degrees Fahrenheit and that will clog your fuel filters unless you treat your fuel beforehand. Other than that, you probably don't need to do anything else to your tractor. When I lived in Hephzibah, GA, I never had to do anything at all to my diesel engines. We seldom got any snow and I cannot remember any temps getting into the teens in all of the 5 years that I lived there. Anyway, you probably don't need to worry about doing anything special unless you expect teps to get below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
S

Shep1478

New member

Equipment
2017 Kubota L3901, various implements
Mar 5, 2017
16
0
1
Dahlonega, GA
armylifer said:
The area that you live in does not really get cold enough to worry about special winter preparation. It is a good idea to add an ounce or two of Power Service Diesel Kleen White bottle to your fuel during winter months though. Number 2 diesel fuel starts to cloud at about 15 degrees Fahrenheit and that will clog your fuel filters unless you treat your fuel beforehand. Other than that, you probably don't need to do anything else to your tractor. When I lived in Hephzibah, GA, I never had to do anything at all to my diesel engines. We seldom got any snow and I cannot remember any temps getting into the teens in all of the 5 years that I lived there. Anyway, you probably don't need to worry about doing anything special unless you expect teps to get below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Click to expand...
Thanks Joe!
 
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