[AT] Freezing Tractors

[Bruce Fallon]

Last Saturday evening while watching White Christmas we got about 1 inch of 
snow since then it has not been above freezing for a week. Down in the low 
20's in the night and almost above 32 in the day.  The ground has been 
frozen solid for a week.  Wednesday morning I thought I better check the 
pumphouse as the water softener would be cycling soon and the discharge line 
is run in the open and usually has a low spot with water sitting in it. 
When I checked the temp in the pumphouse was 28 and the line was frozen 
solid right to the softener.  I plugged in the heater and threw a quilt over 
the tanks and softener. I also unplugged the softener so it wouldn't try to 
cycle. When I got home that night I thought I better check the tractors and 
equipment for antifreeze. All were fine except the one I was sure was fine. 
This is a 53 Allis Chalmers CA. The level was too low to see in the radiator 
so I started it up.  The generator was not turning so I shut it down, I 
could turn the generator by hand so I started it up again and the belt was 
slipping on the crankshaft.  That was because the waterpump was froze solid. 
I shut it down and put a lightbulb under the waterpump and covered the hood 
with a moving quilt.  Thursday night when I got home and checked the water 
pump would turn so I started it up and got a little spray.  I ran it a few 
minutes and pulled the plug on the bottom radiator hose to drain everything. 
The only damage is the thermostat housing has a crack which I should be able 
to braze up when it warms up some to be able to work. No visible cracks or 
leaks anywhere else.  I had seen pictures of Allis blocks cracked along the 
side below the head before. I guess I was lucky on this one.



Bruce Fallon
Langley,WA 98260
bfallon at whidbey.com