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Stuck in frozen mud

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TonyTractor
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Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2019 11:04 am
Zip Code: 12444
Tractors Owned: 1948 Cub
1981 Simplicity 7117 Hydro
2009 John Deere LA105 (family/friends can help mow)

Stuck in frozen mud

Postby TonyTractor » Tue Dec 08, 2020 3:36 pm

Ran great last week.

I parked in its new lean-to which I built this summer specifically for the 48 Cub. This lean to is on a slight slope, maybe 10 degrees, so the nose is pointing up. It was a bit muddy when I parked it.

Today with temps in the teens I tried to start it, turns over fine, but wont fire up. The leaking carburetor and freezing temps stopped me from trying to start it any further. I replaced the carb this past spring. Set the float to spec & it ran great all summer and fall.

This may sound a far fetched but is it possible that the float is stuck because of the incline that it's on? I tried to push it to flat ground, which is only a few feet back, but it's stuck in frozen mud.

Recent repairs: : (rebuilt starter last year, new plugs, points, one year old 6v battery with new +/- cables, cap & rotor, new wires) I always use non-ethanol.
#1 rule of tractor maintenance or repair: a tractor is not a car.

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lowgearfarm
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Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2019 9:01 am
Zip Code: 03227
Tractors Owned: '49 Farmall Cub
'83 Kubota B7100
Location: Sandwich, NH

Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby lowgearfarm » Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:00 pm

If you have power to the shed, you might try a hair drier on the carb. I did that successfully last winter on a frosted carb, and much to my surprise, it worked.
Good luck.

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Don McCombs
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Zip Code: 21550
Tractors Owned: "1950 Something" Farmall Cub
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Location: MD, Deep Creek Lake

Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Don McCombs » Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:09 pm

Your carburetor is likely not actually leaking. The carburetor is an updraft type. In a “no start” situation, the fuel is not taken into the cylinders and runs back through the carb and out the throat, appearing to be leaking. Given that the tractor is outside in sub-freezing temperatures, I would make sure that the battery is fully charged. Then, cover the tractor with a tarp and place an incandescent light bulb or small electric heater under the tarp to heat up the tractor overnight. Make sure the bulb or heater is located so as to not start a fire. Give it a try next morning.

If you do get it started, be careful trying to move it with the wheels stuck to the ground.
Don McCombs
MD, Deep Creek Lake

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Waif
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Zip Code: 49343
Tractors Owned: 48 Farmall Cub "Seen Yore Dobbin"
53 F-Cub W/Loader.
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Location: Michigan

Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Waif » Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:22 pm

Best to carefully reverse out of suck a spot.
Ya , I know. My tarp shed slants to rear wall and ice/wet dirt is right there....

Had a winter no start one morning and pulled main jet out of carb to find a gob of ice. It was clear Ice , so it was hard to see at first.

The hairdryer as a heat gun used safely I'll be trying eventually.
Not sure how to sneak her dryer outside and returning it without getting caught , yet...

Eugene
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Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Eugene » Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:56 pm

Container of HEET Gas Treatment in fuel tank. Removes ice and water.
I have an excuse. CRS.

tinnerjohn
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Location: West Farmington, OH

Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby tinnerjohn » Tue Dec 08, 2020 5:03 pm

I second the full charge on the battery and light bulb under the tarp . If you decide to try to jack the wheels out of the mud be VERY careful. I did that with a 450 Diesel w/ a 2MH picker that I stuck one afternoon and left overnight. I didn't succeed in lifting the tractor but I did poke a hole through the axle housing with the jack. I know a Cub has jacking points under the axle, but your story reminded me of this. Good Luck. John

k hutchins
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Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby k hutchins » Tue Dec 08, 2020 7:37 pm

Buy her a new one for Christmas, then "appropriate" the old one for shop use.
Why is there never enough time to do the job right, but always enough time to do it over. :?:

TonyTractor
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Tractors Owned: 1948 Cub
1981 Simplicity 7117 Hydro
2009 John Deere LA105 (family/friends can help mow)

Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby TonyTractor » Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:14 am

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your time responding to this post. I will try all suggestions until the 48 fires up. A new hair dryer is in order. I can just hear my wife asking why the dryer smells like fuel.
#1 rule of tractor maintenance or repair: a tractor is not a car.

inairam
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Tractors Owned: 1948 6v - Dozer
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Memberships: Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association;Chapter 8 IH Collectors; IH Collectors Worldwide
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Location: Glen Mills PA

Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby inairam » Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:31 am

Tony, a heat gun may have more use down the road than a hairdryer
When you only have 9 horsepower you need to know the names of all of the ponies!

Gary Dotson
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Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Gary Dotson » Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:25 am

I second the heat gun, versus hair dryer. Much greater heat output, every shop should have one. An inexpensive one will do. My wife kept swiping mine, for her projects so I bought her one of her own.
As others have said, a night under tarp, with a small heat source, will be your best bet. Double tarp will be even better!

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Bill Hudson
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Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Bill Hudson » Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:07 am

inairam wrote:Tony, a heat gun may have more use down the road than a hairdryer


You betcha!

Bill
Bill

"The probability of life originating from accident is comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary resulting from an explosion in a printing shop." Edwin Conklin, biologist

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Eugene
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Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Eugene » Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:51 am

Try the gas line, fuel system dryer/deicer. If you have water/ice in the carburator if will refreeze once the engine cools off.
I have an excuse. CRS.

Matt Kirsch
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Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Matt Kirsch » Wed Dec 09, 2020 11:26 am

"Leaking carb" needs definition here. Did it just drool out some gas after you tried cranking with choke for a while, or is it running a puddle of gas on the ground continuously?

If just a quick drool, then Don's advice applies. Otherwise you have an actual leaking carb.

New carb does not always mean good carb, or properly adjusted carb, or reliable carb. These things are put in a box with little cushioning, and thrown, kicked, punted, shaken and smashed all the way from the seller to you.

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Steve Butram
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Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Steve Butram » Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:27 am

Could it be possible you have condensation in the tank.
Be prepared to be unprepared Seth Goden

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Jim in SC
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Re: Stuck in frozen mud

Postby Jim in SC » Thu Dec 10, 2020 7:42 am

A side note about moving your Cub from the frozen mud its in. You may know this, but if not, it's worth noting. If a tire (any tire - front, rear, tractor, car, truck, etc.) is frozen to the ground in mud, be very careful and very slow moving it. You can literally peel the tread off the tire if it's good and stuck. Saw it happen a time or two in Alaska and in Germany in the frozen winters they have.
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