Re: Re: Cold weather starting

Posted by Hugh MacKay on February 15, 2004 at 21:37:57 from (209.226.247.52):

In Reply to: Re: Cold weather starting posted by Cliff Neubauer on February 15, 2004 at 14:32:38:

Cliff: While I have to agree with you whole heartedly, there are or rather used to be situations where diesels had to start in very cold weather and without the use of electricity. Today we have propane block heaters. Big trucks use them all the time for when a guy is spending night in a sleeper and not wanting to run the diesel. The propane block heater will keep him warm over night much like his hot water furnace at home. The diesel starts next morning just like a summer start. In -40F temperatures they are running those block heaters all the time they are running as well to keep the diesel up to good operating temperature.

That was not the case even 20 years ago. Forestry equipment was often miles from any source of heat, and while we really didn't care if it would start at -40F. Anywhere above -25F it did have to go, contracts had to be filled. We tried quick couplers on pickup heater hoses coupled to the diesel for about 10 minutes. The cold coolant coming from the diesel was very hard on the warm pickup engine. Many of the guys that tried that found themselves with larger bills on pickup engine repairs than the risk of using ether. Some guys tried building fires under the diesel, some tried makeshift oil fired and propane block heating devices. Many of those same guys also burned a few machines. I used to carry a cast iron fry pan and charcoal for emergencies. You made damn sure you had no oil leaks anywhere near you engine, and you had two guys standing by with fire extinguishers and a steel hook to pull the fry pan out with in a hurry if needed.

Bob speaks of this as bragging, nothing to do with bragging, rather the COLD hard facts of life when you operate up here.

Follow Ups:

Post A Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Re: Re: Re: Cold weather starting Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]