Block Heater Surprise

   / Block Heater Surprise #11  
But with the block heater the starter has to crank a looooong time before it starts so I worry about the starter.
gg

This is a little diesel trick that I've used, not on a tractor, but I've pointed a heat gun (hair dryer would work) into the air cleaner (while cranking) and it was the difference between starting or not.
 
   / Block Heater Surprise #12  
So how does that work? It sounds like there is a workaround way to bypass the the sensor that keeps the glow plugs from being turned on even for starting whenever the temperature is high enough that glowplugs aren't needed. But if the circuit can turn on the glowplugs with the key on and the tranny in forward......and without any indication on the dash .......then does that mean that the glow plugs are normally on all the time the engine is running? Or if not, what turns them off?
rScotty

I'm interested to see what the feedback is.

Not that the "undocumented work around" doesn't exist or is impossible, it just seems highly unlikely that any sane designer would design something that way.
Especially putting extra secret features on a system that is lacking features to begin with.

Why would a glow plug circuit operate off the shuttle shift position?
Why would somebody circuit the glow plug indication lights so they don't indicate if they're operating?
(Think about the extra work it would take so that your turn signal indication lights don't work...but only under certain conditions)
 
   / Block Heater Surprise #13  
This is a little diesel trick that I've used, not on a tractor, but I've pointed a heat gun (hair dryer would work) into the air cleaner (while cranking) and it was the difference between starting or not.

I have heard that but I have never tried it because it always eventually starts. But you got me thinking and maybe it would be a good thing to do. I do have a heat gun.

gg
 
   / Block Heater Surprise #14  
I'm interested to see what the feedback is.

Not that the "undocumented work around" doesn't exist or is impossible, it just seems highly unlikely that any sane designer would design something that way.
Especially putting extra secret features on a system that is lacking features to begin with.

Why would a glow plug circuit operate off the shuttle shift position?
Why would somebody circuit the glow plug indication lights so they don't indicate if they're operating?
(Think about the extra work it would take so that your turn signal indication lights don't work...but only under certain conditions)

I will try it the next cold morning we have and let you know what happens.

I agree that it is doubtful that it is a designed in feature. More likely some kind of back-feed situation missed by the engineers. There must be a fail-safe mechanism to make sure the glow plugs are unpowered if the starter engages. The shuttle shift also has a safety switch on it so the starter won't crank if it is not in neutral. It is a stretch but a common link maybe ??????????

The thing I wonder about is this: the glow plugs must take a fair bit of currant being heaters. If enough currant is flowing to heat them in an unintentional circuit path it may not be healthy for those components to carry that much currant. Assuming this trick is a design flaw rather than a design feature.

gg
 
   / Block Heater Surprise #15  
How about this for a scenario: Electronic temp sensor disables glow plugs during pre-start when warm, but when key goes to start position the temp sensor is bypassed so that glow plugs are energized to counteract cold air and fuel entering cylinder for as long as it takes to start (when key in start position).
Thus by putting shuttle shift out of neutral you are bypassing the temp sensor, energizing the glow plugs, but not allowing it to start, thus getting a sustained glow plug application.

...but this would mean glow plugs momentarily come on every time you start the tractor (key in start position), even in summer? Could this be?
 
   / Block Heater Surprise #16  
So how does that work? It sounds like there is a workaround way to bypass the the sensor that keeps the glow plugs from being turned on even for starting whenever the temperature is high enough that glowplugs aren't needed. But if the circuit can turn on the glowplugs with the key on and the tranny in forward......and without any indication on the dash .......then does that mean that the glow plugs are normally on all the time the engine is running? Or if not, what turns them off?
rScotty

Scotty

What I observed was my local Kubota dealer with lots of machines parked outside when it was very cold was starting them and moving them for snow clearing.

The machines were firing immediately which seemed unbelievable good luck and then I questioned the mechanic and learned the work around. Sometimes they will do the work around a second time.

The Shuttle shift has to be in forward and the key turned to the START position not to ON. Then the glow plugs activate with no dash indication.

I cannot think of another time when you would have the shuttle in forward and the key turned to start.

I don't profess to understand how it works but for certain I experience it working.

Dave M7040
 
   / Block Heater Surprise
  • Thread Starter
#17  
Is there a similar procedure on the hydrostat tractors?
 
   / Block Heater Surprise #18  
Is there a similar procedure on the hydrostat tractors?

I dont have the model knowledge to understand the tractors you are referring to.

What year and model are you talking about?

I was just looking further and it appears that your glow plugs are not part of an electronic logic box which determines their operation.
You should have the best of both worlds in that you can run the GP's when and for how long you want.

Dave M7040
 
   / Block Heater Surprise
  • Thread Starter
#19  
I was just wondering, if this is something that was actually intended by the designer, whether there was something similar on the hydrostat models. Yes, I knew that my antique is "electronically challenged" but just wondering about the newer hydrostat tractors.
The hazard flasher is about the only electronics on my '87 Kubota. Well maybe the voltage regulator also. lol
 
   / Block Heater Surprise #20  
If you have mice you may want to check engine area and air filter.

Very true...happened to me. The surprising thing is the mice didn't get into the tractor's air cleaner...they built their nest into my daily driver truck air cleaner. That nest caused the truck to shut down on a trip to Connecticut (about 70 miles from home).
 

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