Cold Weather Starts
 

Hello everyone,

Going to run a new to me 149 this winter with a QA-42 snowthrower, but first I have to rebuild the PTO (sounds like a blender when I turn it on). I saw the post about the PTO diagram, but is there a "How to" guide for rebuilding the front end PTOs?

Also how do I prepare it for winter (other than the recommended winter weight oil), and how to I ensure it starts easy even when it's 0 degrees out and I have two feet of snow to move to get out of my driveway? Is there a way to add a block heater, or am I going to have to keep it hooked up to my start-cart and pray a little every time?

Although there is not guarantee that it will always start when it is 0 degrees out, here are some things that I have had good luck with that you may try. First, you can purchase some "Mechanic In A Bottle" and add just a little bit to your fresh fuel and run it through as normal use of your 149 before adding more fuel. Second, make sure that you get a battery with a lot of CCA to it. I have had good luck with the Interstate batteries. Third, even with the best battery, I would also keep a trickle charger on it this winter when not in use. Fourth, if you have not changed your hydraulic filter out and/or changed the fluid in the rear end of your 149, then I you could do that. This does not have to be done every year, but if you do not know the history of your 149, then chances are it may have never been done and 40 years of sludge may be sitting at the bottom of the reservoir. Lastly, some people do put a magnetic engine heater on the rear end. I have never done this, but it is not the engine oil that will slow down the cranking of your cub cadet, it will be the hydraulic fluid in the rear end that will become thick.

Cub Cadet 123

Do you have a torpedo heater? If you do point it at it and warm it up for about 15 minutes. It will start like a summer day.:biggrin2:

I've been using my 125 for a snowplow for almost 20 years. I keep it in an unheated shed. I use 10-30 synthetic oil in the crankcase year-round (along with some zinc additive) and I change it every year or two. I use HyTran Ultra in the Hydro, which I change out religiously, along with the filter, every 6 or 8 years, if I remember to.

I put a new battery in it when it needs one, which is about every 3-4 years, but I do not keep a battery maintainer on it. I have battery booster/charger I can put on it if it needs it, but I can't remember that last time it was needed. I use regular 10% ethanol gas, but I treat every can with Sta-Bil and Lucas Safeguard for ethanol when it gets filled. I date and rotate my gas cans so a can doesn't get forgotten and end up having 10 year old gas in it, however most of the gas I use is a year or so old for both winter plowing and summer mowing. I don't live on the tundra, but it does get into single digits most January's.

I actually put a new plug and points in it last year. The first set since I rebuilt the engine almost 20 years ago.

I have never gone out to start plowing and have the 125 refuse to start. Unheated shed. No block heater, no torpedo heater. It does require a bit more choke in cold weather and the hydro is a bit sluggish for the first few minutes.

I hope I haven't just jinxed myself. :bigthink:

What I am trying to say is that, in my experience, these things don't need a great deal of pampering to get them to run in any weather, just a little basic maintenance now and then and clean gas.

I can probably speak for most of us in saying that we are all happy that your staring experiences in less that desirable weather conditions has always been positive. But if everyone's experience was the same as yours, there wouldn't be hundreds (probably thousands) of posts here about starting a cold hydro.

I hope you didn't jinx yourself either but if you spin the wheel enough times sooner or later your number comes up. Nothing is much more miserable than working on stuff when you can't feel your fingers or toes.

No offense intended, but I'd advise the OP to follow a procedure more like that suggested by Cub Cadet 123 in post #2 in addition to those like yours

In addition to what others suggested, don't forget that the wiring connections be bright and tight. Especially with the starter motor connections to battery so it can have all the ooomph it can get when starting under the cold load!

Suggestions that I have used to be successful with my 147....

-Biggest CCA battery you can find that fits under the hood.
-Put it on a trickle charger 12-24 hrs before you anticipate needing to use it.
-10W-30 oil
-Tight and clean electrical connections
-Magnetic heater under the rear end


All of those together I haven't had an issue for years. Also keep it inside if you can.

Thanks all!

Now what about my PTO problem? Is there a good source for parts and a how-to guide?

Here’s a link to the 149 service manual. It will have the instructions on servicing the PTO. CC Specialties will have all of the parts you will need.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/c...ervice+Man.pdf

What's the biggest battery you can safely put into a 149's electrical system?

Just stick the heater to the diff face plate?