For those with block heaters

[WinterDeere]

Before this thread devolves into a scholastic debate over the intercept of two scales:

 

[WinterDeere]

I've experienced MAJOR frustration due to extreme cold weather. Get up @ 1am so I can clear the snow off my mile long gravel driveway and get to work on time. Leave for work @ 5am and fight the uncleared county roads. All the way to work. Then...I'm the ONLY fool who shows up for work. Due to heavy snows and cold weather - work has been cancelled for that day.

It always really irritated me, when I'd manage to get my long drive cleared and drive an hour to work, just to find people who lived in town, 5 minutes from the office, somehow couldn't get their lazy asses to work. Some folks will use any excuse they can find, to avoid a little work.

 

[Rockbadchild]

At -40 I would only start my tractor if I absolutely have too, I would put my magnetic block heather on for 2 hours prior and turn on the antifreeze heater for 15/20 minutes prior to start up (this thing heats up very quickly) and let it run at relatively low RPM for 10/15 minutes before I move it... I run 0-40 synthetic oil as well but even then -40 is bloody cold for any equipment even 2 stoke sled has a hard time at these temperture.

 

[ruffdog]

HOWEVER - I'm retired and have been for quite a spell. I have no reason to be anywhere at any specific time. When it's very cold outside - I find it's much better to just remain inside. Hot cup of coffee or chocolate and JD.

I'm retired now, baby. I'll go when I'm damned good and ready.

^^agree...If it is cold enough for the tractor to moan and groan when it finally starts, it is too cold for me also.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

It's caused me to rethink my current home backup generator project. Instead of using an auto transfer switch, I'm changing to manual start for the diesel engine. The auto transfer switch allows only a 4 minute warmup before adding load. The recommended time in the engine manual is 10 to 20 minutes, depending on temperature. With manual start, I can make the call myself.

There must be variations between transfer switches and generators.

In my case the start-up delay is set on the generator, as is the time the generator runs after the power is restored. I increased both from the factory settings.

Also, instead of starting once a week and running a mere five minutes, mine is set to start one a month and then run for about 30 minutes.

To me the whole idea with a standby setup is to not have to go out and do anything manually.

 

[rScotty]

I've seen ethanol wars, engine oil wars and brand wars. This thread is a new one for me: preheat wars.

One thing that is curious to me and that's our JD 410j TLB. It doesn't have a heater of any kind. No glow plugs and no intake heater. As far as I know its just compression. That darned thing will growl but pop off in the coldest of temps. It's not even that noisey once it starts. It's pretty amazing as other stuff, gas or diesel, really complains under the same conditions. I've pondered but never looked into a heater of any sort because the critter is never near an outlet and past extension cord range. I run 10w-30 Mobile1 in everything year around but we are in a moderate climate with ~5f being the coldest. I hate cold starting stuff in that weather, preheat or not.

So for me you do what works for you, where you are and under the conditions. To me, if the machine won't start then take a hint and go back inside (wink).

That's interesting. Ours too. It fires right off. Our 310SG TLB came with 6000 hours on the clock. It was used daily in a very cold climate by a concrete demolition company. From the factory they ordered it with factory block heater, fuel heater, remote ether injector, and a dual battery system.... but no glow plugs.
The only one of those extra cold weather systems that we use is the low wattage standard block heater - the same block heater our 16 hp Yanmar has.

During power outages I've started that 90 hp JD 310 often at 0*F or below without any preheat at all. I don't like to do so, especially after it has been sitting a few months - but sometimes there is no choice.
Like your JD 410, It fires up instantly - sometimes so quickly that it needs close attention to hear the starter crank. Settles down to a smooth idle and no unusual noises. None of our other diesel tractors or trucks starts half so well.

Whatever JD did to make their engines last so long has sure worked out. My buddy has a much older JD310 which starts and runs as well as ours.
rScotty

 

[Rockbadchild]

Some engines are worse then others for some reasons, but I would say -4F (-20C) is pretty much the limit for most diesel engines to start without help.

 

[rScotty]

Some engines are worse then others for some reasons, but I would say -4F (-20C) is pretty much the limit for most diesel engines to start without help.

Yikes! How did you figure that?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Glad I don't have those "most engines".

But yes, even basically identical ones do act a little different from each other at start-up.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Yikes! How did you figure that?

My point is there's ''usually'' no issues with anything hotter then that, anything colder then -4F that's when you start having issued without doing anything to help it. A smaller engine will start easier at lower temperture.