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So Much For Winter Time Fun.....

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:30 pm
by ricky racer
Okay, I just came in from plowing for the last hour or so. Remember what I said yesterday about watching the guys in the trucks with the snow plows attached and thinking I was having more fun than them? I'd like to take that back. :lol: It was not fun out there today....

Man, is it cold out there. Ten Degrees below zero and 20 - 35 mph winds. I had a bunch of drifts that needed cleared so I fired up the Cub however it wasn't quite so easy this time. I turned on the gas, moved the throttle lever forward, closed the choke and pulled, pulled, and pulled the ignition switch to no avail. It was froze tight, a new experience, surprise #1. I tried to lay my hand on it for a few minutes to thaw it out with no luck. I had to bring out the MAPP gas torch to thaw it out.

Once the switch was in the on position the '53 fired right up. I let it warm up a bit before getting on to start plowing. Surprise #2, I depressed the clutch peddle but when I released it, it slowly returned to the engaged position. I pumped it a few times with the same results taking about 1-2 seconds to fully return. Anyway I had no troubles the rest of the time while I was plowing other than finding room to put all the snow.

When I was done plowing I had to again use the torch to shut the Cub off. Surprise #3. I parked it back in the barn but this time I put a heat lamp under it.

Re: So Much For Winter Time Fun.....

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:57 pm
by torchred89
AND! That's why we moved from NW Michigan. :D

Re: So Much For Winter Time Fun.....

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:35 pm
by Hengy
Necessity, I guess, but there is NO way you would find me on top of a cub in this kind of weather! I guess it beats getting stuck in the house. It is amazing how these little tractors start right up in the cold, though!

Mike

Re: So Much For Winter Time Fun.....

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:07 pm
by v w
I MIGHTconsider clearing the drive tomorrow. The drive is up to my knees and by comparison we're having a heat wave, only -4 here. :lol: Vern
Edit: My cub sits in the barn under a blanket and a light bulb keeping the chill off. It is steady smiling because the cadet will get the call to move snow and have to leave it's heated shelter. (It is in the corner of my woodshop which I keep at a minimum, of 45.)

Re: So Much For Winter Time Fun.....

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:00 pm
by Stanton
Ricky, that does sound brutal. Sorry all you guys up north have to face this bitter weather!

Re: So Much For Winter Time Fun.....

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:31 am
by outdoors4evr
I have to agree with Ricky. This time it wasn't so much fun. It's been many years since I have had to move snow while below zero.
There seem to be a few days below zero each winter in Michigan, but rarely does that weather follow a good snowstorm.

The car wouldn't start, but the tractor fired right up. -10F inside the garage.

Re: So Much For Winter Time Fun.....

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:38 am
by ricky racer
outdoors4evr wrote:I have to agree with Ricky. This time it wasn't so much fun. It's been many years since I have had to move snow while below zero.
There seem to be a few days below zero each winter in Michigan, but rarely does that weather follow a good snowstorm.

The car wouldn't start, but the tractor fired right up. -10F inside the garage.



It was more the wind than the temperature that was the problem, at least for me.

Re: So Much For Winter Time Fun.....

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:58 am
by John *.?-!.* cub owner
Yup, we have 10 inches of blown snow on the ground, some drifts a little over knee deep. Interesting getting out my road. High temp yesterday of 3 degrees with 20mph winds. Have to pick son up at airport today, if his flight ever leaves that is. High in the low 30s tomorrow, so I may try it then. If not, it will all be goen by May.