keeping a tractor warm

cb in wisc · Jan 30, 2014

Do any of you use blankets/tarps on tractor engine compartments to help keep them warm when the tractor has to set outside? Also does anyone use radiator covers, like trucks use, when operating a tractor?

Brent Zappe · Jan 30, 2014

My Dad live in betwwen Bishop Ca. and Mammoth mountain. I have two tractor up there that are kept out side. When it snows he covers them up with a some traps. I got to say it looks like a U.F.O in the front yard but he does start them up and let them run on those very cold days. He did get a heater to heat up the oil on the tractors but I think he got from Val U Built they do sell them. He has a 1948 farmall Cub and a 1951 Farmall M which use to be a cotton picker. Which I had restored these two tractors just for him. Cub has a front blade to move snow, we had a snow blower on it but he did not like it so it was taken off and the farmall M has nothing for it right now.

oldtanker · Jan 30, 2014

I have but when they set for 3 or 4 days in sub zero temps it really doesn't help much if at all. I'll tarp the 1206 IH when I plug the block heater in.

Rick

gene bender · Jan 30, 2014

Why would an unheated blanket keep anything warm temp underneath the blanket would be the same as ambient temps

rrlund · Jan 30, 2014

LOL That reminds me of an old guy who used to live across from my Grandma in town. He had an old Dodge truck,late 40s I'd guess. He had a canvas that he always threw over the hood in the winter to keep it warm.

Dellbertt · Jan 30, 2014

I suspect the tarp was to keep out the moisture.
Even on a cloudy day covered things stay a little warmer.

nybadlybent · Jan 30, 2014

Not much help in keeping tractor warm in cold weather. Might help a little when using an engine heater prior to starting the tractor but not much.
If you are going to put a forced air heater under the tractor as a starting aid it would help hold the heat against the tractor.

W_B · Jan 30, 2014

I tarp mine to keep the snow and rain off.

notjustair · Jan 30, 2014

I always have the radiators on the Farmalls partially covered during the winter. When I drove bus I had the winter fronts buttoned up tight on them. The only things I don't use a radiator cover on are an old 8N I blade with and the pickup. Both of those seem to warm up quick enough and maintain a good temp. I think it a lot easier on an engine to get it up to temp quicker. It also keeps the cold wind off of me on the open tractors.

Russ from MN · Jan 30, 2014

My dad used to use a JD350 crawler for logging, much of it in well below 0 temperatures. He always covered it well with a heavy tarp. If you can keep the wind off the engine it will not completely cool down overnight. I have a heavy quilt over our JD 4600 in the garage, when I plug it in for snowplowing it warm up better and quicker.

Tom Bond · Jan 30, 2014

I'm about 40 miles SW of Chicago and it's been pretty cold here the last couple weeks. I put an old heating blanket, which is about 6 ft. X 8 ft. on top of and around the motor as best I could and just leave it plugged in. Been doing this the last couple years on my gas 861 and more recently a 4000. You wouldn't believe how much easier it is to start and only cost pennies a day to keep it plugged in.

mab570diesel · Jan 30, 2014

that seems to be a real fire hazard tom id be leary of that setup

NNP · Jan 31, 2014

I use tarps to keep the snow off ignition stuff,
and it makes cleaning snow off the tractor easy.
My winter tractors get parked in a wind sheltered spot, that will see some sun, tarp'd.
Yes, solar energy is still there in winter.
Mid-day, Pull the tarp loose just a little, and stick your head up under there. Warmer eh?
I don't bother with radiator covers, thermostat seems to control that ok.

Blackhole49 · Jan 31, 2014

My Kubota F2000 is in an unheated pole barn (SE MI). I put an old quilt over the hood and radiator and keep it plugged in. Unless it is well below 0*, it is up to operating temp when started. Without the quilt, it was noticeably cooler.

keeping a tractor warm

cb in wisc

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Brent Zappe

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oldtanker

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gene bender

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rrlund

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Dellbertt

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nybadlybent

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W_B

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notjustair

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Russ from MN

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Tom Bond

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mab570diesel

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NNP

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Blackhole49

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