Cold weather start

[Harvey7]

We've had a cold spell here in Nova Scotia over the past few days, it was -23 C, ( -9 F ), but the CK25 started right up, ( two turns of the glow plugs ). I was pretty impressed.

Harvey

 

[Egon]

Good show.

My truck just made a few "erugahs" and became silent. It definitely sounds like "New batteries" time.

Been putting it off but now it is time.

 

[JoelD]

Do you think a block heater would've helped, or just time for batteries?

Joel

 

[Egon]

Oh yes the block heater would have helped.

Being plugged in overnight did make a tad of a difference it did! The overnight battery charger kinda helped too! The batteries are six years old.

But; new battery time it is as the present ones are not holding a proper charge. Money I no got!

 

[IXLR8]

Oh yes the block heater would have helped.

Being plugged in overnight did make a tad of a difference it did! The overnight battery charger kinda helped too! The batteries are six years old.

But; new battery time it is as the present ones are not holding a proper charge. Money I no got!

Have you tried just cleaning up the connections to the batteries? The battery in my 6 year old diesel was acting up so I changed it out, $145.00 later.. same issue. Cleaned up the battery terminals and clamps, as well as main ground connection... it is much happier now. Old battery was propably still okay.

 

[Egon]

The connections are kept clean. Many thanks though.
But maybe I should clean the connectors again. It sure would not hurt!

The previous batteries also lasted just six years.

Now I hope My tractor will start as easy as "Harveys". It does not have a heater yet and I fear the battery may not be in the best of condition. And some snow is falling.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Tried my tractor yesterday. -21c over night and -15c when I started it. Took a few tries - - - preheat with glow plugs but it did start. I let it run 5+ minutes and shut it down.

Lloyd

 

[frank_f15]

We've had a cold spell here in Nova Scotia over the past few days, it was -23 C, ( -9 F ), but the CK25 started right up, ( two turns of the glow plugs ). I was pretty impressed.

Harvey

Ipretty much start my Kubota B2400 the same way and it has been cold here also about 0 deg but today is warmer.

 

[JoelD]

My LK has started flawlessly, started the other day, was around 10 degrees or so, long glow plug, turn key, sputter, run glow plug again, another 30-45 seconds or so, turn the key, she sputtered, as she sputtered turned glow plugs back on and she smoothed out.

Real nice starting diesel.

I still need to install my collant line heater, no need to make the starts harder than they need to be.

But very impressed with how easy this diesel starts in the super cold.

Joel

 

[KBEAT]

I have had to start my CK30 more this winter than ever with the snow we have gotten. I run the glow plugs 4 times and it always starts right up. Made the last payment on it last week, now I love it even more . Can't imagine going through this winter without it.

 

[jimmyj]

I am a newbie to diesel but mine has started right up whenever I have tried, even below -20. Any tips on managing or using the glow plugs that I should know so I don't do anythng dumb?

Hey Egon, I can hear the "erugah" noise - perfect description!

 

[garydc]

just cycle your glow plugs a couple or three times and it should fire right up jimmy and be sure to let it run awhile to warm up before you try to run the tractor, I usually let it idle for about five minutes , engage the pto and let it spin for about 10 minutes to warm up the hydro and cycle the loader and 3 pt a few times. works for me. Gary

 

[jimmyj]

Thanks a lot. I have been guilty of not letting it warm up long enough. What RPM's would you warm up at?

 

[bearhawk]

Thanks a lot. I have been guilty of not letting it warm up long enough. What RPM's would you warm up at?

When it's real cold I let it run for the first few minutes at 1500 with the clutch depressed.

Then start slowly raising and lowering the 3 point. Another few minutes I'll release the clutch holder and start raising and lowering the loader. Again slowly to let the fluid warm up some before having to do any real work.

I might start driving within the first 8 minutes, but just taking it easy until the water temp at least starts moving.

I think that a few minutes of easy warm up will pay dividends in longevity.

 

[Gittyup]

Someone posted a chargt that showed warm up time vs. temperature. If I remember right, it recommended like 15 minutes if at or about freezing. Up to a half hour if below 20 F.

I let mine run for at least 15 minutes at or below freezing and the temp gauge still barely registers.

Carefull moving hydraulics until it warms some. I've read stories where guys have blown out there hydraulic cooler seals by doing it when cold.

 

[gerard]

The warm up issue is one reason I use a block heater. Starts instantly and takes less time than to get engine temp up. Well worth the $50 is cost

 

[garydc]

Jimmy I usually let mine idle for around 5 min. then I engage the pto's at an idle then speed up to around 1000 for the next approx. 10 min. and everything works great if I dont' warm it up like that my hydralic chute on the blower will only turn one way and I'm sure it's a lot better for the hydrostat. Gary