Starting a VERY cold MF Diesel

I"ve got some fields that I like to mow at least once a year to keep the woody stuff at bay. What I like to do is wait until the frost kills off the grass stuff and in doing so doesn"t load-up my MF50 Diesel so much.

But, this tractor is stored in a drafty shed and I"d like to figure out an easy to warm this tractor to make starting more easy. I don"t use ether (sp?) on this fine old tractor.

Compression is fairly good, but after setting all night in the teens or twenty"s, I just don"t like grinding the starter to get the old tractor going.

I"ve got no electricity available at the tractor. What options do I have for warming-up the engine prior to starting?

BTW, it has the fuel fired air intake, but I"ve never used it where you turn the key to the left vs right when using it. Anyone using that for cold weather starting?

Any tips or tricks would be helpful. Again the tractor is a 1962 MF50 Diesel.

Thanks!
Bill

Another option...drain your oil the night before and keep it in a warm place; put it back right before you start it up. I saw this on a documentary about a lady flying her little airplane across the Himalayas. :)

Best wishes,
Barry

A half hour before he wanted to start, he'd pour in a half cup of kerosene,light it,and set it under the oil pan.

I've used it on occasion since - and it works.

In VA, that would be drastic! A working thermostart and 10-30 oil should be more than adequate down to about 10 degrees unless the engine is really tired.