Cold starting trick

[JB4310]

I used that method on a hard to start older JD last winter when my block heater went out and it works really good. Word of caution : Don't use this method on a gasoline tractor

Yes, good caution, I would not do that with explosive fuel.

I've also heard from old timers, back in the day, they would light open fires on the ground right under the engines of heavy equipment in cold weather. That had to get interesting.

 

[Soundguy]

I heard a story of a guy that did that with one of the old fordsons.. the ones with hand cranks and coil boxes.. now them was tuff times!

soundguy

 

[Stimw]

I had a friend that was retired from the Air force, passed away in 1999. He talked about starting Euclid diesel runway plane movers in cold climates. He said they would light a piece of newspaper and stick it in the intake and crank it. The engine would eat the burnt paper!
I had a Ford Boom truck in the low 70's that had a 225 Cat engine. It had a either bottle (size of small throw away propane cylinder)mounted under the hood and a pull handle on the dash. I only used it once at 15*.
Plug in engine heaters rule!!

 

[Cami]

@Stimw: My father taught me the same trick but with an oily rag...you don't let the engine eat that!

As for the kerosene heaters, years ago I saw a purpose built truck starting setup for fleets with a Herman Nelson, big flexible ductwork and brackets to connect the ducts to truck grilles. There was even a wye connector so two trucks could be heated at once.

As for lighting fires...You really have to watch what you're doing; no daydreaming. A buddy of mine was trying to get the gasoline engine that runs the air compressor on his service truck started in -40 weather and was using a torch to warm it up. He boiled the fuel out of the carb bowl and set the works on fire. No damage was done and he was in business before long but he got a little attention in the yard.

 

[biggerten]

I've also heard from old timers, back in the day, they would light open fires on the ground right under the engines of heavy equipment in cold weather. That had to get interesting.

Many years ago, we had an old Allis Chalmers (crank start) we kept out in the woodlot. At below zero temps we'd throw a tarp over it, light a small charcoal grill, and when the flames were out and the charcoal graying (just like a barbecue) put it under the tarp. Cut wood for an hour, and then start the tractor.

 

[20 20]

Maybe bears have the better idea, go take a nap and wait for it to get warm?

 

[BXpanded]

In a pinch, a gasoline dampened rag over the air intake will usually get one going. Causes less knock than starting fluid (ether). Don't use glowplugs with ether or gasoline!

 

[Wis Bang]

I used to have to start an old cable D-8 from the 50's. The pony engine exhausted thru the diesel engine's intake manifold. You would start the pony and let it run until you could open the choke. W/ the Diesel compresson release open you would engauge the pony drive [watch the main fan blade turning] w/ the master clutch released and the diesel throttle open. As soon as the diesel showed oil pressure you would close the compression release and the main engine would fire letting you die-engauge the pony and shut it down. The secondyou killed the pony, the little rain cap on the other end of the intake would snap shut due to the maniffold vacuum.

The pony exhaust warming the diesel intake had to make the difference.

 

[Soundguy]

We had an old D6 9U with a pony engine... it was a beast and had a loosey-goosey cline adjustment.. but we greased it alot and it mostly kept the tracks on.

soundguy

 

[kenstrac]

Had a D4D forestry special with a vessel on the dash that took capsules and also had 2-1" hoses with quick disconnects that were hooked into the block that you could plug into a truck to heat the engine.