So How's the Weather Up North?

Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

Ok ok. You don't use ether because your glow plugs or intake heater will ignite it and blow the top end off you engine. Best to use fuel line anti freeze, a block heater and keep your battery in tip top condition. Also crank for 20 seconds and let sit for 2 minutes, that way you don't destroy your cables, terminals and starter letting them cool down between tries.
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

An engine block heater element is screwed into the block.
It took 2.5 hours to remove the original plug to install it ! It does require a pig-tail, and an extention cord to AC outlet. (Have someone plug it in early morning ???; after the cranks have zoned out.)

??? Low temp fuel, oil viscosity, high amp batteries (expensive !)
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

Sorry to derail this thread but ya, all the above. If your preheating system is working properly, ether is not needed. Glow plug system, air intake heater etc. is usually enough. If batteries are good I can start any of my diesels. Oldest is a '96, the newest (2013) will obviously start....

Make sure the systems are working and charged, and good oil. Should have no issues.

A friend recently damaged his motor with ether, now it wont start without it. Another mechanic who doesn't believe in ether said if you have a machine that's addicted, use silicon spray as it will lubricate and ignite...
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

I'll describe a heater setup that I used with great success. YOu do need 110v power or a generator.

Start off with a kerosene forced air heater

The one I have had a 7" output. I bought a 7" to 6" reducer

Buy one 6" elbow and a section of 6" round duct. Don't zip the duct together yet, it's not fun to shoe horn it back open.

Get a piece of rectangular duct. I think mine was 4/5"x 8/10". Like this. You can get fancy and buy the sheetmetal plugs for both ends. I used some plywood to give the box some strength. Get one long enough...you have to do some measuring.

Get a flange adapter

Now...assembly.

Cut holes in the top of rectangular duct the same size as the round duct about 1-2" from the ends. On one end put the adapter, this is input, the other is open for output.

Cut the round duct to the length needed to snorkle from the heater->reducer->elbow->duct->adapter->rectangular duct

Slip the open end under the motor and turn on the heater.

Within ten minutes or so the engine will be warmed up.

I've used this in -10f weather and the engines get nice and warm real quick.

A work of caution for oily dirty engines. Be prudent about using this setup. The heater is an open flame. You could start a fire if you don't pay attention. With some reasonable caution it'll work fine. this setup has been used for decades to warm airplane and remote engines.
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

I wait for 0 deg before trying. Electric block heaters. I used to work up to -20, but would then spend the next week of warm weather fixing things. Not worth it. Why is it so hard to convince people not to start machines in extreme cold. The engine is just part of the machine. Just because you can get the engine started, does not mean you will not break something else. I know, bills to pay, employees to keep working. Cheaper and easier to just wait it out. We got one machine working today, and it took until 1PM to warm up to 01 deg. The part of these cold snaps I like the best is when you can go out in a short sleeve with no gloves when it warms up to 20. Feels hot out. Maybe Saturday.
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

[ QUOTE ]
None of my trucks have engine heaters...any other options?

[/ QUOTE ]

We don't have access to electrical outlets where we park our equipment, and cold mornings can be slightly more difficult.

About a week ago when we were down in the singles and teens over night, I brought my propane tank to the yard in the morning, along with a 3' wand normally used for applying direct heat to things.

I laid the wand down on the ground, horizontally beneath the engine block of the truck, and later, the chipper. I propped it up off the ground with a sliver of wood behind the flame. I made sure to keep a safe distance from the actual block to prevent a fire on lower wiring harnesses, and kept the flame on a low setting. Within 10 minutes of heat radiating up into the engine bay, both engines fired up without hesitation.

I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but in times of need, it's a real easy thing to do, and certainly won't break the bank.
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

Desperate times call for desperate measures…

1620982_606599029393553_693608739_n.jpg
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

great chipper dude ! cant' throw it out unless the can is the other way . I think you can recycle it !
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

gonna be tough on the trash men . not like you can sell it , I understand ! any of your friends have a torch ? Morbark , more trash , not a good thing . That thing couldn't eat a sandwich . Tomthechipper wouldn't buy it . He buy the trash can , tomthetrashcan, he buys everything .
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

The previous user is on the ignore feature on my browser.

Someone help him/her out if they are in need of attention, I can't read their posts.

Thanks,

Tom
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

a man is a man , man up . a chipper is a chipper ! ignore me ? ban me ? I never put my chipper up on a trash can .you choose to ignore , and are just happy that you were on the cover of tcia and not your chipper . Between you and your chipper , that's two things not getting anything done . So how's the weather up north ? chilling ? The Morra cold , the lessa we do . Chipper can't talk but it doesn't ignore it's user . More bark than bite !
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

mark that is cold . do you use airline hydraulic fluid for those temps ? In Philly , never hitting minus twenty. Plug all our diesels in at 30 . Minus twenty is something we don't deal with , or want to . It was cold last two days , didn't turn my truck off for 30 hours . (diesel 250) my boom trucks are done , too cold , cylinders have to be affected by the sludge. Think about the cold fluid getting forced through the cylinders , the packing rings have to be stressed , has to place a srain on the pto and hydraulic pump, plus air brake tanks and compressors , these trucks are just not set up for extreme cold .
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

[ QUOTE ]
I wait for 0 deg before trying. Electric block heaters. I used to work up to -20, but would then spend the next week of warm weather fixing things. Not worth it. Why is it so hard to convince people not to start machines in extreme cold. The engine is just part of the machine. Just because you can get the engine started, does not mean you will not break something else. I know, bills to pay, employees to keep working. Cheaper and easier to just wait it out. We got one machine working today, and it took until 1PM to warm up to 01 deg. The part of these cold snaps I like the best is when you can go out in a short sleeve with no gloves when it warms up to 20. Feels hot out. Maybe Saturday.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like to discuss this. My brother runs heavy machinery for a concrete/excavation company and he tells me the same thing. "If you can wait it out, do it because the machine doesn't like the cold". He says the wear and tear goes way up as the mercury drops.
In a situation like this year where we don't have to clean up after one or more storms I'm going to go with this advise and just wait for days that are around the 20 to 35 degree mark to get work done.
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

Tom Dunlap... thinking about you in Minnesota.

Just saw a nasty weather report on the news for you all. -16º? Hope you brought some seasoned firewood with you from NC. Stay safe and warm.
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

Thanks! Its supposed to be -18f in the morning.

-9 right now.

Not too bad though...when it's in negative double digits we don't go out very much. If we do it's for small pruning work. The trucks are always running and heaters on 100% so we have a warmup shack with us. Warm gloves on the dash.

I'm really happy that I have Marmot down parkas and lots of cold weather clothing!
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

Believe it or not we're expecting ice and snow tomorrow and Wednesday. Been keeping the hardhats behind the seat in the truck to keep 'em warm.
 
Re: So How\'s the Weather Up North?

Go Marmot, I have a down Marmot too.

The worst ice storm I ever drove in was in SC and NC towing a car from Florida. Cars and trucks off the road to left and right of every bridge we crossed.

This weekend was a top 10 weather wise for me. Teens and twenties snow all day Sat. Got a fire going in the woodshop and worked on the picnic table both days. It's coming alone real nice. Wood is all made into lumber by me and the alaskan.

'Happy People: A year in the tiaga', by Werner Herzog.
Check it out real interesting movie.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom