Warming up the Cub in Sub Freezing Temperatures

[HiltzMachineWorks]

Hello everyone!

I’m getting ready to plow some snow again this morning, and it’s 10F. I use my Cub well into sub zero temperatures here on the Maine/Canada border, and the I was thinking this morning about my warm up procedure. I usually start the Cub and let it warm up several minutes before putting it into operation, but there are times when I’ve started it stone cold and put it right to work.

The Cub doesn’t seem to mind either way, but I figure its better to let things warm up some first.

It is worth mentioning that I plow snow using the Manual Lift, so I don’t have to worry about hydraulics.

Do you have a habit that you follow with warming up your Cub in severe cold?

[Slim140]

All mine have always been cold natured and by the time I get them to move, we're both warm

[Gary Dotson]

I don’t have a set routine but seldom run my Cubs during real cold weather. I plow snow with a Kubota and, yes, I let it warm up for, at least, 2-3 minutes. I have one comment, though, about operating a Cub in very cold temps. They won’t reach proper operating temp on their own, you need to cover part or all the grill. Operating too cold, the engine will not cook off the condensation in the oil, leading to increased build up and wear.

[ricky racer]

During cold weather and snow plowing, my Cub always starts right up but it doesn't like to do any work for a few minutes until she warms up.

[HiltzMachineWorks]

I don’t have a set routine but seldom run my Cubs during real cold weather. I plow snow with a Kubota and, yes, I let it warm up for, at least, 2-3 minutes. I have one comment, though, about operating a Cub in very cold temps. They won’t reach proper operating temp on their own, you need to cover part or all the grill. Operating too cold, the engine will not cook off the condensation in the oil, leading to increased build up and wear.

I work mine pretty hard and it seems to warm up well. Even today at 10F, I checked the oil both before and after working it and there was none of the telltale white foam in the oil. I know exactly what you mean about the engine remaining too cold. I’m running Champion D16 plugs and like I said I do work her fairly aggressively for the size of the machine. I believe the D21 is the hotter of the two heat ranges, so I could even bump up to those if I had to, but as of now everything works well so I’m keeping it as is.

[inairam]

I have noticed a big difference in the IH carb vs the zenith carb in cold weather but I am not dealing routinely with 10F. the IH carb do better and take less time to warm up.

I have used block heaters on the oil pan and TC unit if it is really cold and snow is coming. I have found the hard way the two biggest issues with the cold are: the proper coolant mix so you do not crack the bolster or the block and water in the trans locking up the tractor or worst causing damage.

[NJ Farmer]

I can tell you what the Bush Pilots do in Alaska. They will drain the oil the night before and keep it inside their cabins/houses overnight. Then in the morning pour the oil in the engine (still around 60 degrees so still viscous) the fire the engine up. No slow starts since the oil is thin due to being warm.

Anyway it’s worth a try since the Cub designers made it super simple having both drain plugs almost in the same location just grab an old windshield washer bottle and a funnel. Give it a shot and post a response back.

My Cubs hibernate during the winter so I don’t use this on my tractors.

NJ Farmer