Fairbanksan here. Block plug, oil pan heater (75 watt will do) battery pad or blanket or trickle charger. I recommend a transmission heater also, -47F my transmission temp was 56F. Get a timer for your plugins. Even when it is the coldest 3 hours will be enough to get you going. Oil I have used...
'92 Mazda Protege, Mobil 1 0w30 winter, on sale dino 5w30 summer. '11 Ford F150 Mobil 1 5w30 winter, Motorcraft 5w20 summer. Oil pan heater on the F150 without heater on the Mazda.
My daily vehicle, '92 Mazda Protege with SOHC 1.8 L usualy runs on Mobil1 5W30 in the winter w/o having a oil pan heater. No starting issues in 19 winters.
My Snapper has a B&S engine, what is the proper technic for checking the oil level? Is it when the the dip stick stops after inserting into the engine or after the quarter turn to lock it in place?