Hi i am a electrician on skid steers

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Hi i am a electrician on skid steers
Hi, I am a 60yr old new widow and still learning about how to use my Bobcat S150. Do I have to plug in a block heater to use it in the winter or will the internal block heater suffice? I live in Ontario, Canada, where temps can get down to -30C at times in Jan/Feb, but still below 0C from December and into March.
When I turn the key, it shows a timer, and I wait, then when finished I turn the key to start it. It is now -1C today, so it usually gives 19 seconds to wait. I would then turn the key off and allow it to do that once more before starting, just because I am nervous.

I only have 2 options on where to park it. Out in the snow near hydro where I could plug in a block heater a little while before planning to use it, or totally inside my new 64 x 50 Drive Shed but there is no hydro available.
Thanks
 
The block heater will help the engine to start quicker and with less wear and tear. It may also shorten how long the countdown is. You don’t need to have it plugged in all the time. You will learn, with trial and error, how long before you need to use the machine that you need to have it plugged in.

It never hurts anything to use the block heater. You can even use it during warmer months to shorten the count down or eliminate the countdown all together if it gets warm enough.
 
Mrs. Charlie,

Do you have a block heater on the machine or are you asking if you should get one? I believe from the way you worded your question that it is the latter, correct?
 
I would say to definitely get the block heater and use it. My T190 is only used occasionally during the winter, mostly to plow snow.
I plug in a few hours before starting. It makes starting much easier on the engine and the battery.
 
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Block heater is the way to go. I have a block heater installed but the plug is ripped off.. I’m trying to re wire it but unsure which wire of the three is power, negative, ground.. does anyone have a wiring diagram or know a way to figure out which wire is which?
 

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I also am a electrician
You will notice on any 120 volt power cord that is permantly attached, as in your block
heater cord or radio cord, coffee maker cord ect. that one side of cord has a ribbed edge.
this is to identify the nuetral wire which will be attached to the wider steel prong on the
male plug end. The opposite side will be power wire and the center wire if applicable will
be the ground wire. Double insulated tools and such may not have a ground wire.
I hope this helps.
RedneckMike
 
I also am a electrician
You will notice on any 120 volt power cord that is permantly attached, as in your block
heater cord or radio cord, coffee maker cord ect. that one side of cord has a ribbed edge.
this is to identify the nuetral wire which will be attached to the wider steel prong on the
male plug end. The opposite side will be power wire and the center wire if applicable will
be the ground wire. Double insulated tools and such may not have a ground wire.
I hope this helps.
RedneckMike
so great thx
 
I also am a electrician
You will notice on any 120 volt power cord that is permantly attached, as in your block
heater cord or radio cord, coffee maker cord ect. that one side of cord has a ribbed edge.
this is to identify the nuetral wire which will be attached to the wider steel prong on the
male plug end. The opposite side will be power wire and the center wire if applicable will
be the ground wire. Double insulated tools and such may not have a ground wire.
I hope this helps.
RedneckMike
Thanks for your reply, after doing some more digging online (after I posted) I found exactly what you described, learned something new yesterday. Wired it up and plugged it in, good as new. Thanks!
 
Mrs. Charlie,

Do you have a block heater on the machine or are you asking if you should get one? I believe from the way you worded your question that it is the latter, correct?
I only used the machine last winter when it was -1 to -3C, but no colder because I was afraid of damaging it. But this year the 2 heifers I was feeding hay to last year are bigger, have 2 calves suckling on them, and I am raising another yrlg heifer with them, and all 3 are pregnant, so they are eating much more, so I will have no choice but to use it in the winter. It is unseasonably cold this winter, as it already dropped to -11C yesterday.
I just assumed any diesel engine in Canada would have a block heater. I will go check this morning after I finish chores. Apparently they are not installed at the factory, but an aftermarket product. So, I was planning on putting my generator out in the Shed, so I can plug it in to warm the block ahead of time.
 
When I first got my skid steer I also thought I would install a block heater. but to my surprise the 13 year old machine
already had a block heater installed but never used the factory tywrap was still installed on the cord neatly tucked away out of sight.
just had to cut tywrap and plug it in. Its nice when things go your way for a change.
 
When I first got my skid steer I also thought I would install a block heater. but to my surprise the 13 year old machine
already had a block heater installed but never used the factory tywrap was still installed on the cord neatly tucked away out of sight.
just had to cut tywrap and plug it in. Its nice when things go your way for a change.
Yep, took me awhile to find it, as it was wrapped around the top left. I don't have hydro in the Drive Shed where I have the bobcat safely tucked away from the weather, so tomorrow I am putting my Generator in the Drive Shed to use to plug the block heater into for the winter.
 
Mrs. Charlie as I recall you have the same machine as mine a small S150 I just put 200 hrs on it this summer
and now have 2000 hours on my machine. I have just done a complete fluid change on it.
Bobcat has a Blue for cold climate hydraulic oil for cold weather climates. what are the hours on your machine
and when were fluids all last changed? Antifreeze changed? Is engine oil and drive case oil good for winter?
Some things for you to consider. Good luck on your farm.
 
Mrs. Charlie as I recall you have the same machine as mine a small S150 I just put 200 hrs on it this summer
and now have 2000 hours on my machine. I have just done a complete fluid change on it.
Bobcat has a Blue for cold climate hydraulic oil for cold weather climates. what are the hours on your machine
and when were fluids all last changed? Antifreeze changed? Is engine oil and drive case oil good for winter?
Some things for you to consider. Good luck on your farm.
Yes, same machine. 1845 hrs. 1000 hrs when I bought it from a friend in late 2020 after our old skidsteer burned in our Drive Shed fire. Always covered by them, always stored inside by me. In great shape and trying to keep it that way. My friend up north borrowed it for a bit and I think he did an oil change on it, and lubed it all up before he gave it back. It had 1550 hrs then, that was last year, spring. I had to fix a tire after. I will ask him those questions, thanks very much. I need the advice as I am a novice. Lost my husband in early 2022 and he was a Heavy Equipment Operator so I didn't need to know any of this stuff.
Yesterday, I got stuck in the snow trying to rescue 10 bales in the tube before it got too deep. Too late, apparently. Had to call a neighbour along with my hired helper I had for only that half day to dig me out. I took off the hayfork and put on the bucket yesterday. Now I have to learn how to plow snow. And for the farm, not push snow, as I have to dig out the deep stuff that comes off the roofs of the 2 barns where the round bale hay feeder is for the sheep. So, I am trying to figure out what I can use to put on the material bucket (6') to stop the snow from sticking in it. I tried to pickup some snow last winter and there was 3/4 of the bucket still full of snow and I couldn't shake it out. I have been told to try putting diesel fuel on it. I've thought of using Pam. lol Or a silicone spray lubricant maybe?? I found a cheap spray canola oil? lol Any inexpensive options?
 
Yes, same machine. 1845 hrs. 1000 hrs when I bought it from a friend in late 2020 after our old skidsteer burned in our Drive Shed fire. Always covered by them, always stored inside by me. In great shape and trying to keep it that way. My friend up north borrowed it for a bit and I think he did an oil change on it, and lubed it all up before he gave it back. It had 1550 hrs then, that was last year, spring. I had to fix a tire after. I will ask him those questions, thanks very much. I need the advice as I am a novice. Lost my husband in early 2022 and he was a Heavy Equipment Operator so I didn't need to know any of this stuff.
Yesterday, I got stuck in the snow trying to rescue 10 bales in the tube before it got too deep. Too late, apparently. Had to call a neighbour along with my hired helper I had for only that half day to dig me out. I took off the hayfork and put on the bucket yesterday. Now I have to learn how to plow snow. And for the farm, not push snow, as I have to dig out the deep stuff that comes off the roofs of the 2 barns where the round bale hay feeder is for the sheep. So, I am trying to figure out what I can use to put on the material bucket (6') to stop the snow from sticking in it. I tried to pickup some snow last winter and there was 3/4 of the bucket still full of snow and I couldn't shake it out. I have been told to try putting diesel fuel on it. I've thought of using Pam. lol Or a silicone spray lubricant maybe?? I found a cheap spray canola oil? lol Any inexpensive options?

I only used the machine last winter when it was -1 to -3C, but no colder because I was afraid of damaging it. But this year the 2 heifers I was feeding hay to last year are bigger, have 2 calves suckling on them, and I am raising another yrlg heifer with them, and all 3 are pregnant, so they are eating much more, so I will have no choice but to use it in the winter. It is unseasonably cold this winter, as it already dropped to -11C yesterday.
I just assumed any diesel engine in Canada would have a block heater. I will go check this morning after I finish chores. Apparently they are not installed at the factory, but an aftermarket product. So, I was planning on putting my generator out in the Shed, so I can plug it in to warm the block ahead of time.
I’ve had lots of success with using both block heater in the head and a magnet pan heater. One of the biggest issues is the battery! Once voltage drops the computer cuts off the cranking of engine ! So I have battery blanket as well.
 
Something else to consider is solar.
I have a 20 x 30 shelter out back with no power. I have two 40 watt solar panels which I rotate between my skidsteer, snowmobile, atv and an old pickup.
I generally pull the batteries on what I am seasonally not using.
 
I buy WD-40 in the gallon can at NAPA. I put it in a spray bottle and coat the bucket each day I'm plowing.
That can is much more cost effective that buying spray cans. One spray can would only last 2-3 coatings. I don't know how long the gallon has lasted. I did several long driveways over a few winters and still have enough for another. It seems like you are using a lot when you spray it, but it goes along way.
You probably need chains for your machine. I have tracks and screw in #14x1" hex head screws for the winter. Huge difference. They make screw in studs for equipment, but they are kinda spendy.
 

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