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 | elkoboy
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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1999-07-02 5686
I have two questions:How well will a new diesel utility tractor start in cold winter (Minnesota)? I am interested in NH Boomers but have concerns about diesel use in winter. Is this a valid concern?Also, I plan on using the tractor with a loader to push snow (until I can afford a blower someday). Will I be able to do this with turf tires? Will I need chains for either ag or turf tires?Thanks!
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| Norm
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-07-02 5693
You can easily move snow with a loader and turf tires without chains - but you will need 4WD. With 4WD it is a breeze. ....
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| Roger L.
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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1999-07-03 5701
Get a block heater installed (less than $50 bucks). Add another 50 for a transmission oil heater if your tractor is equipped to take one. Plug it in foran hour before you even try to start it when the temp. is below 30 and it willfire right up and last longer besides. The loader will push snow off of a driveway, but a blade is better. Chains and turf tires will outpush ag tires...but with ag tires you may not needthe chains if the snow is light. When the snow gets over 2' deep or anytime when the snow is on top of ice even my big JD with 38" Ag tires (not a compact)requires chains. I leave chains on my tractors all winter, but I do not haveany paved roads. Chains are tough on paved roads, and bouncy besides. My opinionis that chains are well worth the trouble....but many people disagree with this. Roger L ....
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| MichaelSnyder
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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1999-07-07 5796
Couldn't agree more with Roger L,I would use the loader for a year or so, before thinking about a snowblower.Obviously,a loader may not be as good as a snowblower, but is it worth the extra money? Not to mention the extra space and Maintainance required. I would also recommend using the Lighter grade oil, as specified in your manual. 15-40 might be a little heavy for the long cold nights of Minnesota. As far asa block heater, if you need it first thing in the morning, plug it into a heavy duty timer, rather than leaving it on all night. Secondly, buy winterized Diesel fuel, or blend it with Kero.(If necessary, down to a 60/40 ratio,or so I've been told).Never had to blend fuel here in Eastern.PA. The winterized fuel works fine.You'll never look back at a gasoline engine, after seeing the performance andfuel economy of a Diesel:) ....
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| Rick
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-10-02 8456
What is the thinking behind the comment of a block heater making the engine last longer? I'm not disagreeing, I just don't know and since I have two diesels and never use the heaters, I am wondering if I have been doing harm?? ....
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| Roger L.
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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1999-10-02 8470
I have no proof that warming an engine reduces wear....I've just always believed in it. But here is how I look at it: An engine is designed to operate hot, not cold. Lubrication, combustion, and clearances are all set up to be at their best when warm. So I try to minimize cold running, and usually warm the engine up at a fast idle for 5 minutes or so before loading it or particularly before using high RPM. I "believe" that I am helping the engine to last longer, but I can't prove it. It does give me the bonus of easy starting. I know people who start 'em up and start to work immediately - under the philosophy that the engine warms faster under load and therefore spends less time running cold! Again, I have no proof at all. I will say that only once have I seen damage that was clearly traceable to cold clearances and cold oil, and it was a transmission - not an engine. If yours still start easily it would be hard to say that they have been hurt. But what about cold weather? How do you get them started at all? Sometimes its way below zero here. Roger Loving ....
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| Rick
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1999-10-03 8479
Roger,In answer to your question. How do I get them started when it is cold out?I live at the IL/WI state line. My skid steer and my JD 750 just need the glow plugs to be used. However, I must say, My skid steer used to start without the glow plugs when I bought it (500 hrs.) now with 1600 hrs. I must use the glow plugs, but I dont plug in the block heater. Maybe I should start using the block heater.??.. ....
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