HOW TO PREP YOUR WELDING MACHINE FOR COLD WEATHER

[@zachwhite1353]

Hey Austin I finally got a raise at my new job and I got my own welding rig. I’m thankful for all your tips and tricks that you’ve given to all of us welders like myself

[@welderdude1]

I like how you're selling your time in more ways than just welding. Smart move man. You have to sell your self. Good job.

[@labanglawson3069]

Mr Ross, you have helped and inspired me so much. I want to personally thank you for being one of the motivations in my life to go to welding school and learn more. I have always had a passion for welding, my grandpa was a rig welder. It’s in my blood. Please keep posting videos. I have been a subscriber to you for awhile now and love your videos. Very helpful and through information. I hope to see you out there one day and shake your hand and share a steak dinner with you.

[@greatnorthernn-3154]

Usually water icing up a diesel fuel system is a rare issue unless you happen to pull some water with your fuel out of a poor storage tank. The common problem with #2 diesel at temperatures below 20 degrees F is "gelling". What happens is the liquid paraffin that is naturally a part of #2 begins to crystallize and the wax particles will no longer flow through the fuel filters. Once a filter is plugged with wax it is very difficult to get fuel to flow through it again...usually is faster to secure a new filter and bleed the fuel system. Power Service and Howes seem to be the local favorite fuel additives here in ND. As the temps get colder it becomes more reliable to blend #1 diesel with #2 to drop the wax content or run straight #1 period. A word of caution about adding HEET (methanol) to diesel fuel. Diesel injector pumps rely on diesel fuel for internal lubrication and the addition of HEET negatively affects this lubricity. It is better used in gasoline powered applications.

[@bartbley1269]

My 76 Lincoln 200 has a circulating block heater ,always starts in 30-40 below when plugged in . run with synthetic oil . engine coolant good for work in 40 below year round. Run an extension cord inside the truck frame from front to back to plug in the welder. That cord and the truck block heater cord plugged into a pigtail that is plugged into a hundred foot cord in the front of the truck wrapped around the 2 front tow hooks . Easy to plug in at the end of the day. Made my own booster cables out of number 4 cable and soldered the alligator clamps 25 feet long under the passenger seat

[@arosswelding]

Very nice. Very nice. I love the idea! Thank you for sharing!

[@cabbyhubby]

My cousin ran a single axle diesel semi city delivery truck in the 70's in Dallas, they idled thier trucks practically all winter. They start better now days.

[@harleycolyer7211]

Block heaters can also replace a freeze plug. Also when I was at the hall a few weeks ago, Justin one of the instructors told me to run my machine in high idle for the first couple rods or so then put it on auto once you feel the machine’s calmed down. I was helping an old timer from Utah and he told me before you go and make a weld especially on a test, weld with 3-3 arc 80’s to calm your machine down. That’s enough rod to warm the machine and to calm it down.

[@auggieaugbourn4788]

There's a couple of simple tricks to working in the cold. #1 is your electrical system. A good quality battery, good wiring and clean connections will save you a pile of heartache. Check it all before winter and change anything that looks weak or vulnerable. #2 cooling system. Good clean antifreeze. Clean rad and no leaks. Mix for -40*. #3 fuel. Use good clean fuel from a local supplier. Fuel bought in Florida will freeze up in the north. Dont take fuel from sliptanks or gerry cans that had been sitting awhile or you'll find water in your filters. Fill your machine and truck at the end of the day. Unless you're working in extreme temperatures fuel additives are a waste of money. Fresh quality winter fuel should give you no problems. #4 A block heater. One installed into the frost plug is enough to keep most equipment warm. A diesel fired engine heater is nice if you dont have power but are rather expensive. Start the heater 2 hours before you want to go and get into a warm truck. If all else fails heat the oil pan with a propane tiger torch for a few minutes and it'll start. #5 Down time. If your down for a few days and it's cold go out and start it and let it run for awhile . Keeps the oil in the top end and the battery charged. Most of this is common sense stuff and if you keep on top of it winter will be pretty much worry free.

[@ryankincaid2146]

Block heater's warm the antifreeze in the block, pan heater's warm the oil. Way up North in the winter both help. Glow plugs warm the cylinder's. Power service is great for the Diesel's. Both their fuel additive to keep from gelling and their 911 if you have already gelled.

[@steelfist65]

I swear by the 911. It was ungelled my fuel many times!

[@arosswelding]

Oh ok makes since. Thanks for the input. 👌😎

[@martintaylor984]

Watch project farms video on diesel additives and you might be surprised 😂😂😂

[@eddiegirvan2394]

best thing i ever did wth a fixed chute here in texas is to put a shade roof over the squeze and other places i was gonna have to be all day. mostly used my portable chute and allways had a tree or 2 i would set it up under. shade is a blessing in the summer where ever you are.

[@repalmore]

Austin, I think you are talking about freeze plug block heater. You pull out one of the freeze plugs and put this block heater in it's place. Gotta make sure that it fits your engine before you start or you'll have your welder down till you replace the freeze plug or get the correct block heater.

[@waxfactory7582]

Great idea doing consultations! Im sure you will be giving great advice to alot of up and coming workers. Your videos are great and it has been amazing watching your channel take off.

[@arosswelding]

I’m glad you have enjoyed the videos. 👌😎 that’s always good to hear.

[@cwsalmans]

I work in the bakken up in ND and we know it’s brutal but the best way to keep the wear down on a diesel machine I have a new sae 300 and kubota warns against warming up a machine in high idle warranty wise it’s probably safest to let the machine idle down on its own then wait a few more minutes till you kick it in high. The safer you are the better you are on your equipment because the cold is just so hard on them

[@colemoseley9708]

A block heater is installed in at least one freeze plug. It keeps the oil, coolant, and steel warm

[@Wjones450]

For the block heaters...the magnetic kind is for the oil pan for the oil, the non magnetic kind is a plug that you install in place of 1 frost plug located on your engine block. that warms your engine coolant. if air cooled machine you will need to warm the oil.

[@TurninNBurnin]

Love sunrises like that....makes for a great day.

[@timdeschenes3603]

A block heater takes the place of a freeze out plug in ur engine block... it is basically a freeze out plug with a built in heating element that keeps the coolant in block warm and keeps temps in the block warmer. They do have magnetic style ones as well as heating blankets for batteries depending on how cold weather u are in.

[@aldencharley4875]

Thanks for your advice, my machine is gas driven but will give me a heads up when I get myself a diesel if I do get one. Awesum job on the Corral though! My brother and i are building his roping Arena here in Northern NM.

[@arosswelding]

Shoot ya. I enjoy workin on corals.

[@reminoel483]

On all machines and equipment i do only 5min High idle warm up and never had issues. (Nunavut we see -40c all the time)

[@bobburnitt5761]

Block heaters usually go in where a FREEZE PLUG Goes. I used to drive Trucks from Texas over to Arizona and load and go to Edmonton Alberta and Calgary, also to Winnipeg Manitoba and other places up there. When you start getting up North of Texas and Oklahoma, the further you go North they sell ONLY Number One Diesel Fuel. It is NUMBER 2 diesel that is so bad at Gelling. Diesel Heet, used to be not much more than "Ethanol". I worked for a company in Weatherford Texas, they would give us a Case of Diesel Heet when we left the yard. Carrying EXTRA FUEL Filters is what we did with the Trucks, also for the Reefer Unit. I have left trucks and the Reefer Unit running for DAYS when it gets below Zero Fahrenheit, especially if it was an older Truck with lots of Miles on it. Kille the engine, check the oil and crank it right back up. the Caterpillar Engines back them, you check the oil with the ENGINE RUNNING. I always carried a small bag of sand with me. You Park on ICE to get something to eat, and PRESSURE will melt ice. So, beneath your tires it will turn to water underneath the rubber. You put it in gear and the drivers will just spin. Get out and scatter a little "play Sand" on and in front of the Drivers and you can idle right off and keep moving. If you run HALF anti-freeze and half water, you are in pretty good shape in most places. I have seen people let a truck get cold through and through and they just can't get it to Bust Off. If you can tow it in to a HEATED SHOP and leave it for 24 HOURS that will do it. I have seen people take a BAG of Charcoal like the "Briquet kind" they sell in Grocery stores, I have seen them place that under the Oil Pan and set it on Fire. Gotta be careful doing that. One thing about Diesel engines that MOST people do NOT KNOW is, a Diesel Engine tends to RUN TOO COLD ANYWAY. Unless things have changed lately, the ambient temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit is IDEAL. Nobody does this BUT REALLY you SHOULD USE your Block-heater YEAR AROUND even in Texas or Oklahoma!!! I have a block heater in my Ford Truck, a Power Stroke Diesel. I almost NEVER use the Block heater, but I SHOULD. Starting an engine even in the summer time is when a LOT of engine wear is done. This was back in the 70's I used to do that. Too old for that crap now.

[@mixpick138]

Love it! I live by the slogan learn something "new" everyday but, if you think about it, my philosophy is redundant! Lol 🙂It's all good and I think I'm gonna' order up some of your merch 'cause I love your vids. Keep 'em coming and thanks for sharing!

[@arosswelding]

Stay tuned we’ve got fresh merch comin!

[@dustindavis7499]

Best videos in a while.

[@arosswelding]

Glad you enjoyed it 👌😎

[@UniqueAerial]

Most screw in type oil heaters or block heaters are just simple electric heating elements, much like those in a hot water heater if your familiar with that type. Usually just a piece of copper pipe with a elec. element inside and capped off with a fitting on other end to fit your specific type of oil drain plug (Screws into oil drain plug usually). There are also types that go into radiator also of the same nature.

[@H8twoluz]

The best heater I've used is an inline lower radiator hose heater,,, keeps the motor toasty,,,,,, never had a motor not start during extreme cold,,,, Signed Stick

[@amirlach]

Circulating heaters are bigger than most block heaters. There are oil pan headwaters that silicon onto the oil pan. After-40 it's not out of the question to leave things running. In Siberia we got down to -54C. Nothing but the Detroit diesels and some of the Russian engines would start. The old SA 200s could be boosted with another welder. Stinger to stinger, ground to ground. Boosting machine set about 3/4 of max. Boosted machine at minimum. Never try to boost an alternator machine like most Miller's. They melt.

[@MBwelding]

I’m running a Miller bobcat on my rig it’s gas because we get in the negatives regularly half the year so it’s easier to get going in the morning but I sure would like to get a diesel engine drive for the summer use they are nice on the ones I have got to run when it’s warmer

[@jesseheaster2754]

Most of the time, block heaters go into freeze plug hole. Great video.

[@arosswelding]

Thanks!

[@robbiefrentz9427]

Block heater is just a heating element like in hot water tank. It usually fits in one of your freeze plugs. Unless it has a specific place on block 😁😁😁

[@scottjones7279]

Core plug aka freeze plug to install the block heater

[@taylorwyant778]

No freeze plug our for when you block Freeze's and blows the plug instead of the block

[@auggieaugbourn4788]

@@taylorwyant778 there's usually 1 frost plug per cylinder. The block heater goes into one of the center plugs. As long as you have good antifreeze and your not working in Pruedoe Bay it wont freeze..

[@Mr.TBirdy]

The block heater heats up the coolant and spreads the heat around block so it’s easier to start during the winter.

[@arosswelding]

Right on. Thank you for the input. I love learnin! 👌😎

[@Mr.TBirdy]

You’re welcome man!! So do I!!

[@12RCARR]

I have a ranger 250 Lincoln I love that welder it’s a gas so I have to choke it but on mine when you start it it stays on high idle for about 5 minutes even when I put to the low idle it just what it does I bought it brand new and I always go out and start it up every week at least once to keep it up that’s if I’m not using it for a bit

[@4You5Tubeber]

Always use a anti gel in with the fuel, and never use 911 unless you have to. And a high idle is recommended if your going to be letting it set idling for more then 5 minutes, to extended the life of a diesel.

[@centraliowahayllc3183]

Would enjoy more videos of you on the fence line. Curious to see how the pipeliners build fence! 👍👍

[@arosswelding]

I’ve been sharing a lot on my KZbin stories. Or I was a couple weeks ago.

[@markarzola1418]

Can you do a video on mig, tig an stick welding the deference’s an what they should be used for? Thanks new to all this.

[@jaythemachine3845]

Where do they sell these welding machines??

[@gettinbentfabrication9073]

They go in to the block at the freeze plugs

[@Mmiitthh]

Thanks Austin

[@arosswelding]

You bet 👌

[@dannyjames7595]

Exhaust hose from the exhaust tuck it into the machine somewhere an idle up the truck, ain’t ideal but she fires up

[@darrelleddington7948]

Hello Austin! In an alleyway, what purpose do overheads serve? Sincerely asking.

[@taylorwyant778]

You never high idle for the first five minutes let then oil thin out frost and get pumping

[@knotbumper]

Yes! low idle, drink a cup of coffee, have a roll then start to wind the engine up. Any mechanic I knew would shoot you if you ran high idle right away.

[@4You5Tubeber]

Just about every diesel I have operated will go right into high idle. And it's safe to do as long it's not excessive and oil pressure has come up to normal.

[@melvinmariott8609]

Iv done a lot of that work in the past right there. An just let me use it throughout the winter for ya

[@melvinmariott8609]

Im looking for a pipeline welder if you have one available

[@Idciydhmb]

Thanks man, so glad I’m finally Pipelining’

[@arosswelding]

You bet!

[@RingTuned]

Power service white for down to 1f lower than that run #1 diesel or at least blend

[@arosswelding]

Right on. Thank you for sharing.

[@josephsmithe5774]

I don't have an engine drive like you do but I do want to run my everlast welders on a generator during the winter. Any advice you can give would be great.

[@pipeline_hank5277]

ALSO, straight Antifreeze is not a good idea. The most it can be is a 75/25 mix antifreeze to water. Straight Antifreeze keeps the engine colder, so people do that when its supper hot.

[@cadenhicks3136]

Do you ever use mig?????

[@Mayas.Palace]

You got a big vision and your doing the deal. Inspired by a ross

[@arosswelding]

🤔

[@KingHockey0018]

The new sae 300 MPs have a stock block heater

[@arosswelding]

Really?? I had no idea. That’s a good idea for them to incorporate that.

[@ramirocuentas5999]

Hi Austin, greetings from Jalisco mx

[@arosswelding]

Hey! Thanks for being here!

[@ericfld1209]

There is a brand named How's it is very good I use it in all my diesel's 👍

[@111outback]

Howes

[@ericfld1209]

@@111outback awsome stuff

[@arosswelding]

Yes I’ve heard that’s a good one also.

[@curtisbrockhouse7889]

Probably the most readily available additive to find is Howes

[@lolman-vv7mw]

Block heater is a sort of heater tjat is threaded to the water side of the engine block..... It uses 110-220V depending on aplication of power suply .... But in short it is like a glow plug to the engine coolnant that uses the same as the power that u have at home... Fuck My English is bad.....

[@sergioramirez3328]

Thtsloks bad ass brother than for the tip

[@arosswelding]

You bet 👌

[@fatherabe3388]

When do you figure you’ll go back to work?

[@arosswelding]

Next year

[@retireddriver16]

Never high idle a Diesel when cold

[@robertoobregon3750]

This welder high idle is 1800 rpm, low idle is 1000 rpm

[@sidewaysdanny]

This is just wrong. I run engines for OEM development, and we fast idle EVERYTHING. It's better for the engine, puts less load on bearings when cold, and increases oil pressure and circulation, and warms the engine up faster.

[@Jeremy-cf9rf]

My 18 ram high idles on it's own if it's cold within 30 seconds of startup, otherwise I can turn it on, I always high idle if sitting, it prevents cylinder wash

[@jessegauthier452]

They like to freeze up when idling all day in winter so have to high idle

[@lil_jeep_6345]

Hey, Austin! 👋🏻

[@arosswelding]

Hey!

[@jaysen2200]

"Laughs in Canadian" you call that cold ?

[@MC-hs4mf]

Friday

[@arosswelding]

It’s finally Friday! 💁‍♂️🙋🏻‍♂️🙅🏻‍♂️

[@johnvess1287]

That sounds cool of you to do. I'm currently learning welding in CC. Fucking love it!

[@arosswelding]

Shoot ya! That’s awesome!

[@johnvess1287]

@@arosswelding thx man!

[@dlm1940]

Where is Kayla? I miss seeing her

[@arosswelding]

She’s here. Just been workin workin. You can keep up with her on her instagram

[@arlife6193]

Or you could run your block heater off your machine.👍lol

[@rafatrill]

For diesel engines use hot shot secret diesel additive best on the market. Need proof check out project farm on KZbin he does lots of test to help the consumer

[@arosswelding]

Awesome! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@cmorga43morga69]

Maybe do a little more research next time?

[@williamwilkins3323]

911 is not good. Will jell up fast

[@ryankincaid2146]

911 isn't for anti gelling. It's for after you're already gelled. I keep the power service 911 in case I gell and it does work. A good anti gell and staying up on fuel treatments can prevent having to use it.

[@williamwilkins3323]

ryan kincaid a driver gelled up and put it in and didn’t do anything.

[@ryankincaid2146]

Did he pull his filters and add it or just dump it in the tank? Usually user error. Saved me once last year after a cold spell. Also the reason I carry new fuel filters.

[@adventuresofwillandshelby6013]

ryan kincaid saved my butt too! Gotta add to filters and then tanks