Operating key to glow on a rk37

[jk3700]

Do the glow plugs continue to heat even though the two lights go out and the key is held in the glow position on an rk37?

 

[markie61]

Page 2-12 of RK37H operator's manual: "(7) Preheat indicator T h i s c o m e s o n w h i l e t h e engine preheating function is activated. It goes off as soon as preheating is completed."
Sounds like it has a timer on it.
My NH has a timer- and relay-controlled glow-plug cycle, which means if you want to warm them more than a few second, you have to turn the key off to reset the timer and do it again.
I have yet to mess with pre-heat cycle on my RK55H which sounds a little different - page 4-2 of my tractor's manual: "8. Operator need to turn key to the "ON" position. The glow circuit automatically activates. Operator need to wait for glow light to turn off .As the lamp goes off turn the key to the start position to start the engine."

 

[Roadworthy]

To really KNOW whether the glow plugs are getting power connect a voltmeter to one of them and the other voltmeter lead to ground. It will indicate when the glow plugs are receiving power. Of course a test light will do the same thing.

 

[jk3700]

Sadly, the rk37 manual does a poor job of explaining the function of the glow setting on the ignition switch.

Thanks for the manual reference Markie. My old tractor has a glow setting on the switch and the glow works as long as the switch is held in the glow position.

Interestingly, when my old tractor does start, the glow circuit helps to clear out the black puffs of exhaust while the engine gets going. Quite a difference.

Also, my old tractor gets turned off by pulling a knob to snuff out the engine.

 

[ptsg]

Most of these newer tractor will use a glow plug controller.

Once you put the key to Run position, it will cycle the glow plug for X amount of time, then once you start it, it will do an after glow for X amount time also, even though the glow plug light if on.

The time that the glow plugs will work, varies accordingly to the coolant temperature.

Here is an example from my tractor manual but I would say it's the same for the Korean tractors:

 

[markie61]

Sadly, the rk37 manual does a poor job of explaining the function of the glow setting

The manuals do a poor job of explaining just about everything. If you want to be entertained by useless information, read the RK55 loader manual on installing and uninstalling it - it's a real noodle-scratcher.

My old tractor has a glow setting on the switch and the glow works as long as the switch is held in the glow position.

I had quite a bit of experience with my grandmother's mid-70's Ford that had the same thing - there was a resistance coil in the dash which would glow when preheating (you monitored it through a peephole).

when my old tractor does start, the glow circuit helps to clear out the black puffs of exhaust while the engine gets going.

Dark smoke = unburnt fuel. Preheating helps diesel burn more efficiently which means less smoke.

 

[jethroish]

Page 2-12 of RK37H operator's manual: "(7) Preheat indicator T h i s c o m e s o n w h i l e t h e engine preheating function is activated. It goes off as soon as preheating is completed."
Sounds like it has a timer on it.
My NH has a timer- and relay-controlled glow-plug cycle, which means if you want to warm them more than a few second, you have to turn the key off to reset the timer and do it again.
I have yet to mess with pre-heat cycle on my RK55H which sounds a little different - page 4-2 of my tractor's manual: "8. Operator need to turn key to the "ON" position. The glow circuit automatically activates. Operator need to wait for glow light to turn off .As the lamp goes off turn the key to the start position to start the engine."

On my 55, I have yet to see the Glow Plug indicator come on. Even when the outside temps are below 40. Indicator or not, I turn the key to the left for about 10 seconds in cold weather, before starting.