Oil & Fuel Can't Believe This Happened

[MHarryE]

Well, now, that's interesting, and has got my mind working. My tractor has a low oil pressure light. With a little creativity and some relays, I bet you could easily wire that to blow the horn when it's on as well. Only problem is, the light comes on when the key is turned, but the engine is not running, and that would be annoying. Is there some lead that only has current on it when the tractor is running, and not just when the key is turned? That way, you could wire it up so that if the oil pressure light is on and the engine is running, the horn blows. My tractor is a diesel, so in theory it doesn't need electrics to keep running. On the other hand, something shuts down the engine when I turn off the key. What is that?

Engine oil pressure and timer. Oil pressure at start to activate relay providing power to the warning system, but with a timer so if pressure never achieved, warning system is activated.

We have models with both power to run and power to shut down. Power to run, something happens to the electrical the engine will immediately shut down. Power to shut down if you lose electrical you need to open the hood and hold the manual fuel cut-off switch until the engine dies. Or you can do what I recommended we put in the book - slap the cap the dealer gave you over the air intake.

With the larger engines and Tier 3 we started doing everything with the engine ECM so all sensors fed the ECM and it controlled warning lights, audible alarms, and we started doing things like automatically debating the engine in case of overheating or boost power if conditions said more power is needed and there was enough margin (like coolant temp) to over boost for a limited time.

 

[boggen]

1 key switch off
2 accessories on
3 accessories on and engine running (check for relay for this position and make sure relay is big enough to handle extra load)
4 accessories on/off and starting engine (release key causes it to go back to (3) above)

 

[joshuabardwell]

1 key switch off
2 accessories on
3 accessories on and engine running (check for relay for this position and make sure relay is big enough to handle extra load)
4 accessories on/off and starting engine (release key causes it to go back to (3) above)

I'm sorry, but I don't follow what you are trying to describe here. Condition (3) is what I am trying to detect.

 

[KennyV]

I..
.. is something on the tractor that only has voltage when the engine is actually running, that you could run a relay off of.

The alternator stator terminal only has power when the engine is running... KennyV

 

[Earl Ohl]

What about just using a good old-fashioned buzzer tied in with the oil warning light?

 

[k0ua]

As far as vandalism, many years ago at a nearby tire distributor, Vandals got into this distributor's fenced yard and loosened the drain plugs on about 20 delivery trucks. As the day progressed and the drivers started calling in with broken down trucks, there was no way to warn the remaining trucks to stop as this was in pre cellphone days. If I remember correctly just about all the trucks were damaged. Things like this can and do happen.

James K0UA

 

[94BULLITT]

It would be nice if a buzzer went off through the radio speakers when it got hot or lost oil pressure.

 

[ccsial]

It would be nice if a buzzer went off through the radio speakers when it got hot or lost oil pressure.

I did this on my airplane. If oil pressure, buss voltage, or vacuum goes low I get warning tone in my headset.

 

[Grateful11]

As far as vandalism, many years ago at a nearby tire distributor, Vandals got into this distributor's fenced yard and loosened the drain plugs on about 20 delivery trucks. As the day progressed and the drivers started calling in with broken down trucks, there was no way to warn the remaining trucks to stop as this was in pre cellphone days. If I remember correctly just about all the trucks were damaged. Things like this can and do happen.

James K0UA

No one noticed any puddles of oil when getting in their trucks? I'm not doubting what you're saying. I could see this easily happening especially if the trucks were parked on dirt or gravel.

If I spill a half a pint on concrete and seems to cover a 3' circle before I can get it cleaned up.

 

[ccsial]

No one noticed any puddles of oil when getting in their trucks? I'm not doubting what you're saying. I could see this easily happening especially if the trucks were parked on dirt or gravel.

If I spill a half a pint on concrete and seems to cover a 3' circle before I can get it cleaned up.

He said they loosened them. I suspect they fell out on the road. Must have been pretty loose.

 

[Localmotion]

I don't see how checking fluids before a start can really help. Its a feel good thing for sure, especially if you are burning the oil. My JD doesn't leak anything until the plug drops out.

Lets hope it doesn't start leaking or burning on you - otherwise you'll never notice if you don't check the levels!!!

If it was tampered with, I'd look for problems on other machines, too.

Totally agree - Not sure where OP is, but if it is rural, I'd look for someone nearby who has an issue with you / your tractor!

 

[Localmotion]

What about just using a good old-fashioned buzzer tied in with the oil warning light?

Most large kit has just that - a simple buzzer that sounds when a warning light comes on. When you start an older machine, the buzzer may sound for a few seconds until the oil pressure builds up - if it comes back on, you know to stop quick!

That said, I agree with a lot of the other posts, that when working (especially without a cab) you probably wouldn't hear or notice the light in time to avoid doing damage.

Checking the levels is important - it might not have helped in this situation, but you will at least notice a potential problem before it occurs...

eg: How many people (myself included) have worked their machine hard and not checked the coolant the next morning, only to find she then runs a little hot?

 

[k0ua]

No one noticed any puddles of oil when getting in their trucks? I'm not doubting what you're saying. I could see this easily happening especially if the trucks were parked on dirt or gravel.

If I spill a half a pint on concrete and seems to cover a 3' circle before I can get it cleaned up.

I cannot remember the details, I think it was 20 to 30 years ago, and it seems like it might have been the transmission drain plugs on gear transmissions in the trucks.. I just don't have the details, I do remember the name of the tire company and where they are located, and I am pretty sure it was most of their trucks that were damaged. And as I remember it, the perps were never caught. Again this is a little hazy, many years ago, and I got it off the local news, I had no first hand personnel info.

James K0UA

 

[Scooby074]

Totally agree - Not sure where OP is, but if it is rural, I'd look for someone nearby who has an issue with you / your tractor!

THIS!!

For someone to "premeditate" this type of vandalism, they really have an issue with you. It isnt random. And its likely not kids. This is "personal". Same for the truck story earlier. Likely an ex-employee or somebody who had business dealings or a competitor.

Vandals usually want instant gratification. Draining oil to only see the vehicles fail later in the day when they aren't present doesn't happen much. Let alone having a wrench to loosen the plugs handy.

Somebody, either the previous owner or the dealership, loosely installing the drain plug during an oil change "to keep it clean" or "not to loose it" then forgetting to go back and tighten it is a much more logical explanation.

 

[moriboy]

Hmm, wouldn't the drain plug look beat up after getting hit by the mower?

 

[boggen]

Hmm, wouldn't the drain plug look beat up after getting hit by the mower?

yes/no. i can run of a gravel drive way and only get a handfull of rocks to fly. other times i could get tons of rocks to fly.

 

[JerryG]

I mowed over my cell phone and didn't damage it. That was when cells were about an inch not like the thin ones we have now.

Hmm, wouldn't the drain plug look beat up after getting hit by the mower?

It is hard to believe a vandal would put enough time and work in to loosen that many plugs.

 

[Rockin' G Ranch]

I got my tractor back today with a brand new engine. KTAC covered the engine replacement. It was a COMPLETE engine replacement - the new engine even came with a new radiator! I am extremely pleased with my Kubota dealer and KTAC!
I highly recommend that you consider the KTAC insurance. I know I'll always have it!

 

[94BULLITT]

I got my tractor back today with a brand new engine. KTAC covered the engine replacement. It was a COMPLETE engine replacement - the new engine even came with a new radiator! I am extremely pleased with my Kubota dealer and KTAC!
I highly recommend that you consider the KTAC insurance. I know I'll always have it!

That's awesome!!