Glow Plug Use

[hube2]

I understand many newer diesel applications have auto preheat setups. I know the 2017 diesel truck that I use at my nephews maple sugar operation seems to have such a setup. Insert key, turn, and wait for all lights to extinguish before it will start. But it will fire and run right away, with no hesitation.

So, this brings up another question, which I think I knew about, but really have not followed. Engine warm up...some of these times seem pretty excessive, but what do I know. I do know that diesel engines are pretty cold blooded. What do others do?

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the warm up times in this chart are for the HST, not the engine. I don't know why it mentions the engine in the last sentence as the engine has nothing to do with it other than how long you are running it. As it says, running with cold hydraulic fluid can potentially do damage.

 

[grsthegreat]

the warm up times in this chart are for the HST, not the engine. I don't know why it mentions the engine in the last sentence as the engine has nothing to do with it other than how long you are running it. As it says, running with cold hydraulic fluid can potentially do damage.

I agree, that’s why I have heated silicone heat pads attached to oil pan and transmission to preheat oils prior to starting. Has really helped frigid winter operations for me.

 

[Oaktree]

JTKub - my experience with the Yanmar's they start better in cold weather or in general without needing the glow plugs.

Yeah, my old JD750 (which was made by Yanmar) started a whole lot easier in cold weather than my Kioti. Pretty much have to use GPs anytime it's below 35-40°, with multiple cycles if it gets below freezing. I'll have to check to see if they're all good.

 

[RjCorazza]

X3 on the transmission / hydraulic oil warm up times. I don't follow the times Kubota has historically placed in their manuals though.
Below 15f usually 10m of warmup, otherwise maybe 5m. I have a 1500w infrared heater that I have put on the transmission case in the past for an hour or so, which heats up the oil very well.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have 2 silicone heat pads on the tractor own one additional on my 25 gal hydraulic powerpack unit for snowblower. All hooked into wifi outlet that I can remotely turn on a few hours prior to use. Has really helped in tractor operation during brutal cold winter operation.

 

[WM75Guy]

On my Kubota RTV-X the dealer told me to turn the key to where the glow plug light comes on, count to 10, then turn it to Start. It has worked well for us. The New Hollands have timers so when the glow plug light goes out, they start. Back in 2022 when it dipped to single digits I did have to cycle the TC40DA glow plugs twice.

 

[grsthegreat]

On my Kubota RTV-X the dealer told me to turn the key to where the glow plug light comes on, count to 10, then turn it to Start. It has worked well for us. The New Hollands have timers so when the glow plug light goes out, they start. Back in 2022 when it dipped to single digits I did have to cycle the TC40DA glow plugs twice.

My Kioti and ford diesel rigs also have timed dash lights. I have to occasionally cycle both a few times if it’s biter cold out.

 

[gswalter]

I have a 1999 B7300 I bought used with 1100 hours. I have about 1850 on it now. I rarely start it in 15F or below as I always have it in the garage before true cold starts in winter time. I have started it after it sat outside between jobs on the same cold day and it started fine. I always glow mine for 5-10 seconds. After it starts when it's cold I turn the key again to the glow position sometimes (if combustion isn't yet smoothed enough to my ear) to glow the plugs again for another 5-10 seconds while its idling. That step seems to help the early combustion a bit more while reducing smoke in the garage.

I have replaced all hydraulic lines on my LA271 loader. It happened all within a year of each other after aging, drying out, developing small leaks. I now have my eyes focusing on the other lines as I have to believe I will need to address them soon. Other than that no other repairs to mention except a new seat, as it cracked too and the internal foam could get wet and then I would get wet sitting on it. I do maintain it well on or close to Kubota's schedules.

I wish it had a temp gauge instead of that whistle. I thought of putting one in, but didn't want to crack open a port on the head or rig up something as an aftermarket custom set up. I just make sure I have a good thermostat and coolant at all times. I added bright LED lights to the roll bar with clamps. One light aimed frontwards, one aimed backwards.

I have a 54 inch deck and bagger system which mows grass fine but the deck stinks at picking up some leaves (if they were wet at some point) as the 3 blades being shorter than usual don't create enough lift/suction. But I get by on that by using my leaf blower to loosen the few areas like that, then mow over the leaves again in those areas.

 

[Carl_NH]

GS - Welcome to TBN and nice first post! Sounds like you have a good handle on maintaining your B7300.

You will find a lot of good reading material on here, and also note the highlighted model link - it takes you to a page about your model.

 

[ArmyAviatr]

Kubota may or may not have changed how their glow plugs work but what I have found on my BX2680, RTVX1100 and ZD1211 is if you install a digital voltmeter, you can see when the Glow Plugs reach their maximum heat level. When you hold the key in the glow plug position, note the voltage. When you see a slight increase (as little as one tenth of a volt) the glow plugs have reached their maximum heat. At this point go ahead and start the tractor. Works every time on my machines regardless of the temperature. I purchase marine grade USB chargers/voltmeters from Amazon, However I never use the USB function when I use my equipment.