Blowing straw in January

Dad is getting some straw in an older relative's barn that's been empty for a few years now. He's got our blower set up at that barn with a chute made to go from the barn to the blower, with a spout from an old Fox chopper to put it in the wagons. Borrowed the nieghbor's IH 600 blower to put it in our barn.

Fired up the 1855 from it's winter slumber to run the blower at our barn (wouldn't need it, but the 285 has a bad water pump) after not running it for over 2 months now. Plugged it in and got the blower set up with the 1600, and then when I was ready for the 1855 I walked out back and checked it. The block was still cold as ice. Turns out the breaker tripped (too many cords to reach the tractor) when I plugged it in. Gave it a try anyway and after a few cycles cranking, preheat, crank, preheat, crank, it fired up and came back to life Chunks of black carbon came out the muffler but it never missed as soon as it fired.

Kinda nice unloading with our 100 HP 1855 on a big blower vs. my 1600 on a smaller blower. Was able to unload the wagons pretty fast. (wind picked up by this time and made it pure hell) Unloaded 2 loads and now we gotta get some more. Dad figures there's about 2 more loads, but now we've been told to take all of the hay chaf in the barn too. They found someone to take the barn down for the lumber and they just want it cleaned out. Not sure how much chaf is there as it's been a while since I've been in his barn, but there should be a few loads...

Donovan from Wisconsin

It's nice to have a diesel that starts in the winter, even if you don't have the block heater.

Got that right. I wasn't sure if it would start or not as it was only around 15* outside today. Had to switch the PTO from 1000 to 540 and all I can say is that oil in there is stiff. Made shifting and turning the shaft to mesh the gears a little more difficult than usual.

Definately don't want to start the 18 too much in the cold like this, but it was parked too far away from an outlet. Told Dad to park it closer back in early November when all the plowing was done, but what can you do? Now it's parked within 30-40 feet of an outlet for next time.

Donovan from Wisconsin

And the pictures are where?

Camera was at home... I'll try to remember it tomorrow when i help load a wagon or 2.

Donovan from Wisconsin