Cold Starts and the 1845C Loader: Challenges, Strategies, and Insights

[MikePhua]

Starting heavy equipment like the 1845C in cold weather often brings unique demands—thick oil, sluggish hydraulics, and battery strain can turn a routine start into a chore. Understanding these dynamics and adapting your approach ensures smooth kicking over and steady operation, even when frost is biting.
Primary Cold‑Start Challenges
Running a cold — especially near-freezing or below — exposes several areas of vulnerability:

• Thickened engine and hydraulic fluids that resist flow
  
• Weakened starter performance due to cold-compressed battery chemistry
  
• Condensation in fuel system that can freeze or block injectors
  
• Sluggish hydraulic response until warm fluid viscosity restores full pressure
  

Best‑Practice Strategies for Smooth Starts
Here's a sensible step‑by‑step routine to breeze through winter start-ups:

• Use winter-grade engine oil and hydraulic fluid, with lower viscosity to maintain flow
  
• Pre‑heat the engine block or coolant, using electric blankets or glow-plug systems where available
  
• Engage in a warm-up sequence: idle at low RPM for several minutes, then cycle hydraulics gradually to promote internal heat and flow
  
• Run auxiliary electrical systems only after start, preserving battery power when it's coldest
  
• Check and maintain battery: ensure full charge and clean posts; cold drops voltage noticeably
  
• Drain and pre-filter diesel to remove water that might freeze or clog injectors in low temperatures
  

A Real‑World Northern Site Story
On a winter construction project up north, an operator faced sluggish hydraulic arms and starter fatigue at –15 °C. He adapted by parking the 1845C inside a heated shop overnight and routing a block heater to warm engine coolant well before morning. On startup, he idled for three minutes before gently cycling the lift arm—hydraulics gradually warmed, and fluid flow restored fully, saving both components and schedule.
At a similar crew in the Upper Midwest, they installed glow plugs and an electric hydraulic pan warmer—basically a thin heating pad under the fluid sump. These innovations delivered near-warm engine and hydraulic temps even in –20 °C, allowing nearly immediate full control and drastically cutting delay time.
Cold‑Start Checklist for Operators
Ensure freezing mornings don’t freeze your schedule:

• Confirm battery is fully charged and insulated if possible
  
• Select and use recommended low-temperature fuels and oils
  
• Engage block– or fluid-heaters before startup, if available
  
• Start engine and idle at low RPM for 3–5 minutes before loading hydraulics
  
• Run controls one at a time—lift, tilt, drive—so the fluid warms gradually
  
• Observe temperature rise—avoid high-speed hydraulic work until fluids reach safe range
  

Glossary of Helpful Terms

• Viscosity – A fluid’s thickness or resistance to flow; cold temperatures increase viscosity, slowing circulation.
  
• Block heater – An electric component that pre-heats engine coolant and metal parts, aiding cold starts.
  
• Glow plug – A heater in diesel engines that warms the combustion chamber for improved ignition.
  
• Hydraulic sump heater – A pad or element warming the hydraulic reservoir to thin fluid in cold temps.
  
• Fuel filter preheat – A system or method to avoid diesel gelling or wax separation in lines under cold conditions.
  

Final Reflection
Cold weather takes no prisoners—but with thoughtful preparation and stepwise warm-up protocols, the 1845C loader can be as ready in the freeze as it is in midsummer. Winter—managed wisely—is nothing more than a season, not a showstopper.