The engine may be warmed by pouring a bucket of hot water into the cooling system, cranking the engine to get it into the water jackets of the cylinders. Another plan is to wrap cloth around the intake manifold and carburetor, soaking it with hot water, being careful not to get water into the air intake.
A drop of liquid gasoline on the points of the spark plug will short-circuit them and prevent the formation of a spark; the points should be dry, and it is an advantage to heat the plugs, screwing them hot into the engine at the last moment before trying to start.
Kerosene is thicker when cold than when warm; it will not flow so freely, and the needle valve of the carburetor must be opened more in winter than in summer to obtain a proper mixture.
Lubricating oil also thickens in cold weather, and flows much more sluggishly. The lubrication adjustments that are correct for summer will therefore be incorrect for winter. This may be provided for to a great extent by using a thinner oil in winter than the oil used in summer. A cold snap is likely to result in burned bearings if the change in lubrication that it brings is not allowed for.
Grease thickens in cold weather more than oil does, and some kinds freeze solid. In winter a light, soft grease should be used, and the grease cups should be turned down several more turns than is usual when the weather is warm.
While antifreezing compounds can be used in the cooling systems of automobiles, they are not suitable for tractors because the greater and more continuous heat quickly evaporates them. The danger of freezing is very great, and must be avoided; the water in the radiator and jackets is in thin sheets, and will freeze when a bucket of water standing in the open will not show any signs of ice.
The only real protection against freezing is to drain out all the water whenever the tractor is to stand idle for a sufficient time for it to cool off. Petcocks are provided for this at the lowest points of the system, and also in the pump when forced circulation is used. The freezing of even a small pocket of water will be enough to crack a cast-iron water jacket wall, and the best assurance that the system is thoroughly drained is to open the drain cocks while the engine is still running, shutting down as the flow stops.
When putting up a tractor for the winter it should be thoroughly protected from rust and corrosion. The last time that the tanks are filled a quart of light oil should be added for every five gallons of gasoline or kerosene; as the tank empties this will leave a coating of oil on the inside walls.
Fuel tanks and water system should be drained, and particular care should be taken that all the water is out; the drain cocks should be left open. A mechanical oiler should be filled full, to protect the steel parts of the pumps from rust.
A half pint of thick oil should be put into each cylinder, and spread to the cylinder and piston walls by cranking for a few turns. Oil should be run between the valves and their seats.