Snow Kubota B21 under snow drift won't start

pdxlights · Dec 22, 2008

Was pushing snow off our driveway (200 yds gravel through forest) when bizarre weather conditions (ice+snow+freezing rain) created a new situation: B-21 sliding slowly backwards, spinning downhill into snow bank. Tried to get it out but lost light and freezing rain drove us indoors until morning. Temp was 27 degrees (so not so cold). But in morning tractor would not start. It cranked, but only slowly. Thinking it might be a weak battery, I tried a fully charged battery, but still no joy: only slow cranking. Any ideas for tomorrow?

weldingshop · Dec 22, 2008

oil is probably thick as molasus, and what about your glow plug? and if its been sitting wrong what's the chance you need to prime your injectors?

pdxlights · Dec 23, 2008

Thanks for suggestions. Propose to drain cold oil, refill with thoroughly warmed oil, try again. due to distance from power source being considerably beyond reach of available extension cords, have been trying to imagine best way to get warmth to engine. Here in NW Oregon we're all going slow.

ChuckinNH · Dec 23, 2008

It might be worth renting a portable generator to get some warmth to that engine, or a portable heater.

MarkLeininger · Dec 23, 2008

pdxlights said:
have been trying to imagine best way to get warmth to engine. Here in NW Oregon we're all going slow.

If you can get close, pull your vehicle up to the tractor, open the hood, then throw a tarp over the engine compartment and your tractor, let it hang down right to the ground to keep out the draft. If you want to live dangerously, the exhaust is really warm, if your tarp is big enough you can cover tractor and vehicle. Obviously don't sit under the tarp, doh.

Egon · Dec 23, 2008

A coleman lantern under the tarp may also help some.

Tig · Dec 23, 2008

At +27 F degrees I don't think the cold should have a dramatic effect.
Could be a bad connection on the starter or solenoid.
If you do want to warm things up.
You could drain the anti freeze, warm it up on a fire and pour it back in. Probably don't want to get it very hot, but I would think that 90F should work.
Cold anti freeze is nasty if you get it on your skin. It really sucks the heat out fast. Hot anti freeze is also more dangerous than water.

Egon · Dec 23, 2008

At +27 F degrees I don't think the cold should have a dramatic effect.
Could be a bad connection on he starter or solenoid.

Tig may be on the right track for your problems.

wushaw · Dec 23, 2008

Try better jumper cables, check the battery electrolyte level, check the battery under a load, corrosion on terminal, bad cable, loose cable connection, dragging starter.

Throw a volt meter on the battery and see what the voltage is when you turn her over and see if battery falls on it's face.

Check your glow plugs to see if they are heating up.

curtisfarmer · Dec 23, 2008

My L48s have the same problems and are basically the same machines as the b21. First, make sure you have treated your fuel cause your fuel filter may have slush in it. Second, your machine needs almost full battery power to turn it over effecivly in the winter in the situation you are in. You will need a diesel truck or other machine with big battery to give it a jump. When plowing, like the last 5 days up here in NH, I noticed my lights can drain the battery slowly, so maybe you want to trickle charge it too when not in use in the cold. I had to hook up a charger to get one of my machines to start yesterday, same situation as you. Good luck.

Scotty370 · Dec 23, 2008

I don't know if your tractor specs allow it, but in my John Deere (gas-18hp) I use Mobil-1 Synthetic oil. It doesn't get like molasses in the winter, and turns over like summertime. I've had neighbors take the idea and use it in their pull start blowers, with great success. I can't afford to run it in my car, because of volumn, but the small engines only take a quart or two.

MarkV · Dec 24, 2008

Is it possible that a connection to the clutch safety switch got knocked loose by the snow? Have you checked the fuses to see if the snow shorted something out?

MarkV

pdxlights · Dec 27, 2008

resolution: warmed engine by tarping and burning kerosene lanterns underneath (theory was to free up stuck fuel solenoid), changed out battery (for direct connection, not jumped), also ambient temp rose overnight, and voila! it started right up. Discovered when trying to charge dead battery that it was somehow shorted (9 yr old OEM Yuasa), so no wonder jumping even with two paralleled good batteries did no good. Thanks to all for enlightening discussion. we are now plowed out to the road, after seven days snowbound.

BigD23 · Dec 27, 2008

pdxlights said:
resolution: warmed engine by tarping and burning kerosene lanterns underneath (theory was to free up stuck fuel solenoid), changed out battery (for direct connection, not jumped), also ambient temp rose overnight, and voila! it started right up. Discovered when trying to charge dead battery that it was somehow shorted (9 yr old OEM Yuasa), so no wonder jumping even with two paralleled good batteries did no good. Thanks to all for enlightening discussion. we are now plowed out to the road, after seven days snowbound.

Glad it worked out for you.......and Now we get rain.

Don

KubotaSam · Dec 27, 2008

pdxlights said:
Was pushing snow off our driveway (200 yds gravel through forest) when bizarre weather conditions (ice+snow+freezing rain) created a new situation: B-21 sliding slowly backwards, spinning downhill into snow bank.

Another good reason to keep chains on all 4 wheels when removing snow. It is really difficult to control a tractor when sliding on ice. Chains help you stay safe and keep you from getting stuck. It is also very difficult to put the chains on after you have slid down the hill and ended up stuck in a ditch or snowbank.

LBrown59 · Dec 27, 2008

pdxlights said:
resolution: warmed engine by tarping and burning kerosene lanterns underneath (theory was to free up stuck fuel solenoid), changed out battery (for direct connection, not jumped), also ambient temp rose overnight, and voila! it started right up. Discovered when trying to charge dead battery that it was somehow shorted (9 yr old OEM Yuasa), so no wonder jumping even with two paralleled good batteries did no good. Thanks to all for enlightening discussion. we are now plowed out to the road, after seven days snowbound.

Glad it's all resolved.

pdxlights · Dec 28, 2008

speaking of chains, first thing we did when we got to town was try to buy chains, but it appears will have to order them. can you advise on merits of manufacturer, chain design, & such?

PBinWA · Dec 28, 2008

Checkout tirechains.com - they have a good selection and prices.

What sort of tires do you have on your tractor? If you have Industrial or Ags then you have to find chains that won't slip between the lugs.

I like the v-bars for the best ice traction but they will scratch up asphalt and pavement.

robbieo11 · Dec 28, 2008

or do like i did go to tractor supply buy 55 feet of chain and make a set cost a littleless but some time involved and of course a welder

C6rider · Dec 28, 2008

Honest to God when I was snowmobiling up in Erroll, NH a number of year ago at around -20 I saw a guy actually build a fire under the oil pan of his car to thin out the oil. We left in a hurry.