Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-11-17
The Tractor On The Farm.
STARTING In Cold WEATHER.

From The Country Gentleman.
Owners Of stationary gas engines and
tractors frequently experience difficulty II
starting their motors in cold weather. The
fundamental reason is that the lower the
temperature. the more difficult it Is to Gel
gasoline to form a vapor-to vaporize
The remedy is to create condition that
will cause the fuel to vaporize quickly and
ignite readily.
In the case Of the small hopper-cooled
stationary engine, which is the type most
generally used on FARMS the remedy Ii
comparatively easy II the engine is kept
where water will freeze on cold winter
nights. the cooling water must. Of course,
be completely drained from the hopper
each day after II is used, to prevent
freezing and the consequent danger of
cracking the cylinder or jacket.
One Of the best aids in starting a cold
engine is to pour one or two paifuls Of hot
water into the hopper. the amount depend
ing upon the size Of the engine II is not
necessary to fill the hopper simply put
enough water in to warm the cylinder suf-
ficiently to vaporize the incoming fuel
quickly.
There are many cold nights in the fal
before there Is any danger OF damage from
freezing. To start the motor in the morn
ing first draw off some Of the cooling wa
ter. and then fill the system with hot water
This will provide the heat necessary fol-
quickly vaporizing the fuel.
Another way of raising the temperature
is to dip blanket or piece Of burlap into
a pail OF hot water and wrap ii round the
cylinder Or the blanket may first be
wrapped round the cylinder and the hot
water poured over it. There is one precau-
ton to be observed In doing this. however
and that is to be careful not to Get wateI
into the carburetor or mixer pipe or into
the gasoline tank.
Though this method Is not so convenient
In the case Of water-cO0led engine. al
the one first described. it is the only one
Of the two that can be used with an air.
cooled engine.
BY heating the cylinder before attempt
ing to start. the engine will crank much
easier, for the heat will warm the lubricat.
ing oil. thus allowing the piston to move
more freely in the cylinder. Many lubri-
eating oils and greases. when very cold
CONCEAL or harden, causing increased fric.
ton. which accounts for the difficult crank
ing.
know Of one farmer who solved his
cold weather starting trouble by mixing q
few drops of ether with a printing cup full
Of gasoline. Then. he says. II there Is a
good spark the engine will invariably start
with the first cranking
1t is also good plan to provide oneself
with a gallon Of highest gasoline at the
beginning of cold weather. A little Of this
should be put into the printing cup for
starting. as ii will vaporize much more
quickly than the commercial gasoline OF
lower gravity.
Another farmer takes a squirt oil can full
OF gasoline and sets II In vessel Of boiling
hot water This heats up the gasoline SC
1t will vaporize quickly. Some Of this
warm gasoline is put into the printing CUP
or into the air intake at the mixer. and
the engine Is turned over to draw Il into
the combustion chamber Starting has tC
ne accumulated as uuicklv aa DoaaibIe