Cold Weather Pre-heat and other questions

[Texasmark]

I have the 1" thick, comprehensive Owner's Manual but this isn't covered specifically. The manual covers the fact that On position is also Pre-heat position, and mentions an indicator in the dash panel but not this specific question.

My precious tractors had a dash "Pre-heat" symbol illuminate when the operate switch was moved to the ON position from OFF when the temperature was below a certain value. The light was timed and when extinguished, you roll on over to Start and go.

The MT225s just winks at you when going to the Pre-heat position my first morning in having it and in trying to start it, it winked at me when going to On position rather than stayed illuminated. I figured I didn't need to wait since it extinguished, rolled over to Start and it took several 2-3 second start-wait-start-wait cycles before the engine came online.

Question is, is it normal to wink and you just guess at how long the key stays in the On position before your roll on over to Start?
----------------------
Operators manual states that idle RPMs on Hydros (my first tractor, my mowers are hydros) are over 1200. Mine idles at around 1600. Said it needed to be high to get the oil flow adequate to have decent performance at lowest speed. Yes, no?
---------------------

Comments appreciated.

 

[Bearsixty7]

You just have to get a feel for it.
I see you're in NTX and normally we don't get that cold, however yesterday/today we are below freezing. I have never needed to start mine when this cold but I have noticed on my MT240 the glow plug light will stay on longer when it's colder weather. I would think yours should as well.
However, you can just give it more time in the "Warm" or glowplug on position before trying to start it.

I saw a few people mention that if you turn the key to the left or CCW and hold it, that the glow plugs will come on for the warm up. My manual doesn't state this and since the glow plug light comes on for a short time when I turn to the right, I always just did that. But being the curious person I am, I tried turning the key left once and sure enough, the glow plug light came on, I held it there probably 15 seconds and it stayed on until I released it. You can try that as well.

 

[Texasmark]

I forgot about the CCW...will give it a try when I go outside in a few minutes. I had that on a MF 35 years ago but Fords, my current older tractor inventory has it in the CW position. Do appreciate your time sir.....and yes it was chilly this AM.

 

[Texasmark]

I checked it today and it does turn on the plugs either direction but the wink still exists. I heard the glow plug relay energize when switch switching to the function and immediately turn off, in both directions. It was about 40*F in the shop this AM. I'm starting to think that it isn't cold enough for it to stay energized.

Initially I'd only roll the starter for a couple of seconds and stop. Today I rolled it longer and it hit in around 4-5 seconds. The owner's manual caution is for rolling quite a bit longer than that so maybe that's a hint that I wasn't used to how long it takes cold. I will say this. My Branson 2400 was Swirl Chamber and had the glow plugs present at much higher temperatures on a cold start. It always started with a few puffs of smoke. This one is an IDI ignition, don't know if it's indirect injection (as is swirl chamber) or Independent Injection like care/trucks with MPI. Looking into that this evening.

I will say this. For a 235# 6'5" guy, that little sucker is mighty easy to enter and exit. The human factors engineers on the design team really did their job. I already see that I sold myself short when I bought the Branson as stick shift. I should had bought it as a Hydrostat and I'd probably still have it......but it doesn't let you in and out as easy and that item is high on my list of wannas.

 

[870m]

I also own a ls mt2 25s and im not
At all that pleased with its cold weather starting . I find myself cycling the key 9 ten times and still not enough to get a strong start. I consider this a design flaw by ls. Everything else about this tractor is fantastic, by the way its 17 degrees outside im in N.E.

 

[wraven]

I also have a MT225s and also wondered why there was not a glow plug light that stays on until ready. I just leave the key turned to where the glow plug indicator is for about 10 seconds and then turn to start. I’m in South Central PA and it hasn’t really gotten that cold this year to give me any issues.

 

[nicksdad50]

Hi Guys. I am out of west NJ near Easton PA. I have experienced over the last year with my M225s so vey cold mornings (10-15 deg). I have always just placed in the on position counted to 10 and she starts up. I had one day where she sat for close to a week last winter if sub 20 deg days that I had to wait for the sun to come up and warm her up a bit before she started. I have since always added Seafoam to my diesel.

 

[mred2]

I am following this as I have an XR4150 and the light stays on longer if it is colder. Summer on a second or two. Yesterday, about 10 seconds. Hard to believe they would take that out of a newer tractor to save a few cents.

 

[JCoastie]

@mred2, They haven't on my MT240, this is from the manual and seems accurate as far as I can tell with my moderate (30's F) temps.

 

[rodneyn]

I知 in northern Indiana with MT225S I agree the glow plug sequence is short wink of the eye. I have also noticed when turning key on to start motor the glow plug light comes on as the motor is cranking. I run 5w-20 rottella syn-blend it makes difference in the cold. I do agree it will smoke you out when first starting in extreme cold. It starts a lot easier then my Kioti Lk3054 which requires compression relief cable to start in cold weather. Suggest if running in cold weather use oil heater or inline heater in on radiator hose. Warmer the motor less issues to address in the future. Diesels don稚 like sub- zero weather.