cold weather start

[lil_country]

I have been surprised at how much moderately cold weather affects my B3030 when starting. I notice a significant difference in starting at just 50 degrees. Is this normal? We don't usually have really cold or prolonged winters here, and I don't expect to use it much in the winter since it gets dark so early, so I haven't considered putting in a block heater. I would appreciate any advice or reccomendations. Will a block heater help significantly? What can I expect to pay for one?

Thanks

 

[Charliebrn]

Don't know about the B3030 specifically, but it makes a real difference with my BX2350 as it did with my BX2200. A couple hours with the block heater made a real difference. My brother noticed the same thing with his 7510, so I suppose it's normal.... I just posted a project on the install of the BX heater.

 

[wushaw]

A diesel motor is affected by temperature change more so than a gas motor, so the colder it gets the more glow plug times and warm up times increase.
It is just the nature of diesel motors.
When the temps start freezing then you may want to warm it up some how like park it in garage or tarp it just to help it out.

 

[m7040]

The M tractors are amazing for starting immediately. No preheating just turn the key and it runs even in colder weather. Have a block heater installed but not sure it will be needed this winter. We will see.

 

[kubuddha]

lilcountry, I noticed the same with my B3030, as you said at just below 50*even with more glow time.



______________________

B3030,403 Loader, 72MMM, 60 BB, 72" RB

 

[ByronBob]

I don't think you need one if it's not under 30 deg much. It might just take a few extra seconds on the glow plugs or a few minutes idle time.

At 10 below the first year I owned mine scared me into a heater no matter what anyone said. It was metal grinding on metal. It was enough for me.

 

[RobJ]

Same here in East Texas when it's in the 50's, 40's, etc. About 10 seconds with the glow plugs and it starts just like it's in the 90's.

I wouldn't waste good time and money (purchase and power) in the south.

JMO.

 

[cp1969]

You might want to have your injection timing checked. If it's off a little, it can make a big difference in how easy a diesel starts. These non-turbo'd, high-compression ratio engines should be among the easiest of diesels to start.

 

[Double 00 Soul]

lil country, I believe cp1969 gave some good advice, get the fuel delivery system checked. In Minnesota it's already been in the twenties and my B3030 has been starting just like it did in the summer, great. If I lived in your locale I would be using synthetic 10W-30 oil in the winter months and save the money you'd spend on the block heater. The lead mechanic at my dealer said we should use 5W-30 oil in Minnesota in the winter because it's so much easier on the engine at start-up for our below 0 temps.

 

[lil_country]

Thanks for the replies. When we have our next cool spell I'll try a little more glow plug time and if I don't see improvement, I'll have the timing checked.

 

[proudestmonkey]

Its been down in the 30's here in Minnesota in the morning. Like others have said, a few extra seconds with the glow plugs, and mine starts right up. I had my dealer install a heater on mine when I bought it ($75 installed) because I knew I'd be using it for snow (about 1/3 the reason I needed it). It may be unnecessary this winter though because I've discovered that, with the FEL and my new back blade both on, its more than the 12 feet length of my already extended utility shed (it was originally 10 feet long and the previous owner added a two foot extention). I will have to add another 2 feet next summer. Until then, I am going to see if its possible to fit it in my garage--it will be a tight fit with two SUVs in there.

 

[Ed_Indiana]

I use my glow plugs on my B7800 as dictated by the manual. Also using Mobil #1 synthetic. Maybe I am just luckey but my Kubota has always fired right up cold or hot. The synthetic oil will lubricate your engine at the get go and that makes the winter start ups save on engine wear, starter wear & battery life.

 

[Atlas]

I have had the same trouble with the cold engine starting on my B3030. Last summer I got a block heater from the dealer (about $45 w/tax) and installed it when I did my 50 hr. maintenance. It was easy to install.

Went out to the barn today and plugged it in for the first time and let it set for about an hour and a half before starting it. Checked it after one hour and the engine block was warm to the touch. When I turned the engine over it ran almost immediately. I'm very happy with the results. It's about 35 degrees here today and barn temperature is 40. Tractor had not been operated for two days prior. The heaters resistance is 35 ohms so it costs 10 cents or so to have it plugged in for two hours.

 

[Lockport]

If I lived in your locale I would be using synthetic 10W-30 .....The lead mechanic at my dealer said we should use 5W-30 oil in Minnesota in the winter because it's so much easier on the engine at start-up for our below 0 temps.

Full synthetic 10W-30 has a pour point of about -47 degrees. It hits -20 and then some on occassion where I live on the Manitoba prairies and I have yet to have a problem starting. Have yet to even use the block heater, too!

 

[Double 00 Soul]

Full synthetic 10W-30 has a pour point of about -47 degrees. It hits -20 and then some on occassion where I live on the Manitoba prairies and I have yet to have a problem starting. Have yet to even use the block heater, too!

That's good to know. This will be my first winter with the B3030. If synthetic 10W-30 works for you, it should be great here in Minnesota. I just changed to my winter oil, Mobil 1 10W-30. I wondered about the mechanics comment on 5W-30 oil so I hit the owners manual again, Kubota doesn't say anything about 5W-30 oil being an option to use. I'll have to watch what I listen to from that mechanic! The tractor has the block heater so I should be set for the winter. Sounds like you get the same winter temperatures that we do in Minnesota though I would have thought you folks can get somewhat colder temps than we do. Have you ever heard of Embarrass, Minnesota? I believe the record there is in the -50s. Maybe that's where the mechanic is from.

 

[Lockport]

Have you ever heard of Embarrass, Minnesota? I believe the record there is in the -50s.

Holy cow! According to embarrass,org 2005 Official Low Temperature: January 17, 2005 -54°. I must assume that is with wind chill factor, in which case we get occassions of the same thing. You almost look like you're in my south easterly wind stream. I am a little less than 350 miles north west of you, almost as the crow flies. The last 10 years have been, strangly, a lot warmer. I think it was 25 this morning and that is cold compared to the last few days. We hardly have any snow. In fact I can see almost all of the grass on the suth side of my property. I bet you know where Emo, ON is. My Dad owns the hotel there.

 

[Double 00 Soul]

Holy cow! According to embarrass,org 2005 Official Low Temperature: January 17, 2005 -54°. I must assume that is with wind chill factor, in which case we get occassions of the same thing. You almost look like you're in my south easterly wind stream. I am a little less than 350 miles north west of you, almost as the crow flies. The last 10 years have been, strangly, a lot warmer. I think it was 25 this morning and that is cold compared to the last few days. We hardly have any snow. In fact I can see almost all of the grass on the suth side of my property. I bet you know where Emo, ON is. My Dad owns the hotel there.

Negatory, the -54 was the actual air temp., who knows what the wind chill was. Maybe that's one reason they call it "Embarrass", they many times have recorded the lowest readings in the U.S. during the winter. I was at about 20 degrees this morning so it looks like we're in the same banana belt. I'm not familiar with where Emo is but I will definitely find out, I plan to visit your great country next year. So far the only part of Canada I've been to is British Columbia and that was beautiful. Now if they'll only give me a passport..............