when this cold sets in if I do not have to saw or start equipment I don't.
If I had to work I would prepare for it, but it makes everything a little harder.
Years ago it was a lot harder. Synthetic lubricants and better batteries help a lot.
Most of the wear in equipment is from cold starts.
Old Pony motor Cats lasted so long in part because the were warmed up and had full oil pressure before they fired.
https://youtu.be/ukon56N_yN8?si=dcdN6UC9crUV3Ilp
I agree, when it's that cold I don't want to start things. When it was down in the single digits a few days ago I had to use my tractor forklift. It's inside, but still that cold. I built a little shelter around the engine and hyd tank to help keep heat in, and used a propane torpedo heater for an hour before starting. I haven't even bothered with the mill, and do not want to start my planer with cold bearings and grease until it warms up.
Long cold spell. I think my main problem will be getting myself going after all this inactivity.
I wrapped my mill mounted planer tonight with a small electric heater at the ready for Sunday morning. I'll let the heater run for an hour to hopefully heat up the bearings and grease in the bearings before running it. I need to joint and thickness three 4x8x8' walnut pieces to be used as trim above the bedroom doors in my mom's house.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16191/IMG_1486.jpeg) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=357525)
Quote from: Brad_bb on January 26, 2025, 03:09:31 AMI wrapped my mill mounted planer tonight with a small electric heater at the ready for Sunday morning. I'll let the heater run for an hour to hopefully heat up the bearings and grease in the bearings before running it. I need to joint and thickness three 4x8x8' walnut pieces to be used as trim above the bedroom doors in my mom's house.
Brad,
Is that a WM planer on the LT15 bed or something you made?
Woodmizer MP100 planer. Love it. It acts like a jointer. Material stays stationary and planer head runs over it.
Channel I watch setting up his Corley sawmill in WY just put up a video starting his D4 Cat diesel with pony motor in zero F weather to saw up some 2x4's for a friend of his. Had warmed up from -30 deg F to 0 deg F so figured time to saw some logs.
My brother and I had an old D6 9U with a pup motor. You're right about it making the 318 easier to start, but we rarely fired it up when it was cold. Too hard on all the metal, internal and external.
Quote from: beenthere on January 26, 2025, 02:17:30 PMChannel I watch setting up his Corley sawmill in WY just put up a video starting his D4 Cat diesel with pony motor in zero F weather to saw up some 2x4's for a friend of his. Had warmed up from -30 deg F to 0 deg F so figured time to saw some logs.
That pony motor fired right up.
The pony motor was one way to start a diesel engine before good batteries. Not a great way, but a way nonetheless. ffcheesy
One advantage with the pony motor is they could crank the big diesel until the cows come home to wake up the horses. ffsmiley
Some also had the pony motor exhaust giving heat to the intake air, aiding in starting.