new(to me) 231s

[beenthere@charter.net]

I just bought a 345hr 231s and I am loving it.

The dealer has ordered a owners manual but in the mean time can someone tell me what the indicator light on the dash means, the one all the way to the left, looks like two offset triangles? It comes on before cranking, and stays on a while and then later goes off.

Also what kind of engine oil to add, it is just a wee tad below full.

Thanks a bunch
Dan

 

[beenthere@charter.net]

ok then, well what about a 231? same questions.

 

[DIRTROAD]

Rotella 15w-40 oil would be best. They hold around 2 gallons total.(at least mine does)

As for the light, I would say it has something to do with preheating, but I am unsure. My 231 predates a light like you describe.

I will check my book later and post if I find anything.

 

[MFRED]

Could the light be for charging? Staying on until the alternator comes up maybe?

 

[beenthere@charter.net]

that is what I am thinking, since it went off, after it had run enough to charge the battery. I'm just not familiar with that international symbol. Hopefully the book will be here soon. I can't find squat out on the internet ( searches ).

 

[beenthere@charter.net]

Rotella 15w-40 oil would be best. They hold around 2 gallons total.(at least mine does)

As for the light, I would say it has something to do with preheating, but I am unsure. My 231 predates a light like you describe.

I will check my book later and post if I find anything.

Thanks..

 

[DIRTROAD]

I checked my book and it shows "lightning bolts" for the charge symbol.

My tractor is older though, it may have changed.

 

[beenthere@charter.net]

lighting bolts I get that, I guess if you really used your imagination these could be some kind of a zig zag.

At any rate I am almost convinced that is what it is telling me, since it has no amp meter. It only stayed on for a few minutes today and I ran the tractor for a long while the other day so guess it got a good charge.

 

[inseeme]

I have a 2002 231S that looks like it just came off the show room floor and love it. You will love that tractor. Good Luck

 

[beenthere@charter.net]

You are so right, I already do.

My old tractor is a 841 ford, great old tractor, but it is like night and day difference in the two, and about 43 or so years difference in their ages.

But I am keeping the ford, I had the engine rebuilt a while back and know it will last for a very long time.

We run a sheep farm and a backup is always handy. The 841's carb died this summer and I was without a tractor for about three weeks, if that had been during winter hay feeding time... well lets just say hungry sheep have no patience for a broken tractor! :confused2:

 

[Travis_R]

I have a '98 MF 231 (and LOVE it). the "lightening bolt" that lights up on the dash should come on and stay on WHILE THE ENGINE IS AT IDLE. Once you "bump" the throttle to, lets say, about 900 to 1000 RPMs the light should go off and stay off. When the light goes off, that's when the alternator starts charging. Might have something to do with a "Lucas type" charging system. That's what I was told anyway...

I used to use Shell Rotella oil in the engine, but made a switch to Amsoil Synthetic diesel grade motor oil. Still using the 15W40 weight though and don't plan on switching weights or going back to regular crude oil.
Believe it or not, I was having to add oil to the engine after some heavy use when I was using the Shell Rotella. I haven't had to add a drop to it since I switched to Amsoil Synthetic.

I now use Amsoil Synthetic oil in EVERYTHING I own and have been using it for a while now. I never plan on switching back to regular crude oil again.

Travis R