[AT] Starting in the Cold

[john hall]

Ben, with this list defining Cold is the first thing you need to understand. 
Where I am at, cold is between 25-40 degrees. A lot of guys here (maybe even 
yourself) have to deal with MUCH colder temperatures, making cranking all 
the more difficult. If we had to crank the tractors here in 10 degree 
weather, most of them would not crank.


 Basically, as has already been said, keep the tractor well tuned up and 
make sure you have a strong battery.  It certainly won't hurt to crank it up 
every couple weeks. If you let it sit for a couple months then decide you 
need it, it probably isn't going to crank in cold weather.  It was about 40 
degrees here yesterday morning when I cranked both A's (6 volt) with no 
problem. On several occasions I have hand cranked some of my older tractors 
to play in the snow. You need to learn what that particular tractor likes, 
as in how much throttle and choke. You'll find they are all a bit different.

All of this reminds me of stories of old time sawmillers. My granddaddy 
drained the water out of his 10-20 every night in the winter. When the crew 
got the tractor cranked the next morning, they would break the ice in the 
buckets and pour the water back in. I've heard of folks building a fire 
under the oil pan to warm the oil, but don't know whether to believe that or 
not, especially the way the fuel systems on the really old ones leaked gas!

John Hall