Starting a JD 2520

[JD755]

If you want to know for sure, take a voltmeter to either the glow plugs or the air intake heater, whichever you have, and check for voltage when you turn the key to ON. Voltage would be there for just a few seconds. If no voltage then try Dutch procedure to measure in Crank position. If voltage is there during Crank then that would explain it being left out of the manual.

 

[revitupfaster]

Well, I just got off the phone to my dealer, and although the person I was talking to was not an actual "Tech", he referred to the "latest" sales manual for the 2520, and apparently they have an "Air Preheater", which JD classes as a cold starting aid.

Apparently this air pre-heater activates during the normal cranking of the engine during startup. I told him that now the cold weather has arrived that the engine was cranking over somewhat more than it did in warmer times, but apparently that's normal, so you just go ahead and crank it till it starts.

That's the latest answer I'm getting. Who knows, everybody seems to have a different story. Boy, I wouldn't think this question should be all that difficult, but apparently it is.

REV

 

[Runner]

I think the actual answer is that, yes, the 2520 does have glow plugs, but not in the cylinders. If you look at the shop manual, it does state that it has glow plugs, but, as stated by your dealer, they are in the intake manifold.

As far as special starting for cold weather, I seem to remember the manual stating that you should open the throttle 1/4 or something like that for starting all the time. However, I always just leave it at the minimum setting and have never had any starting problems, cold or hot.

 

[JD755]

So the later models are the ones with the air heater and the earlier models had glow plugs? Have you checked your engine to confirm which you have? Makes no difference on how you activate them, but might be good to know.

 

[JD755]

I think the actual answer is that, yes, the 2520 does have glow plugs, but not in the cylinders. If you look at the shop manual, it does state that it has glow plugs, but, as stated by your dealer, they are in the intake manifold.

As far as special starting for cold weather, I seem to remember the manual stating that you should open the throttle 1/4 or something like that for starting all the time. However, I always just leave it at the minimum setting and have never had any starting problems, cold or hot.

The air heater is not glow plugs and is not in the intake manifold. It is a heating element just after the air cleaner. Item 20. Deere has used these for many years. They were on the 855 and 955.

 

[diesel466]

The newer models are the ones with glow plugs, older model had grid heater. It should be very easy to open hood and see them in the head. I would talk to service dept. not salesman as to key postion to activate them. Good Luck

 

[Runner]

"The air heater is not glow plugs and is not in the intake manifold. It is a heating element just after the air cleaner. Item 20. Deere has used these for many years. They were on the 855 and 955."

JD needs to make up their mind about it because they alternately refer to "manifold heaters" and "glow plugs" in the tech manual.

Quoting from the "Electrical Diagnostics & Operation" section, on page 152:

(2) Does manifold heater heat when voltage is present?

Yes - Test complete.

No - If voltage is present at the glow plug connectors but glow plugs don't heat, remove suspect glow plug(s). Ground plug to head and put key in START position. Replace glow plugs that do not heat.

 

[JD755]

Deere does have many problems with their proofreading, although the tech manuals usually do better than their advertising. Looks like in this case they updated just part of the manual when changing from air heater to glow plugs. Also instead of separately explaining two different systems, they just tried to update everything to the latest model. Seen that before. Can make it hard to work on different years of the same tractor.

 

[Deadman]

My 2520 is like 2-3 years old now, and it starts sooooooooo EASY in the winter. You guys are worrying about something thats likely never going to be an issue. I started mine last winter at -5F, and I let the throttle at idle speed, and just cranked it. It cranked for maybe 3 seconds at the MOST, and it fired right up, and was purring like a kitten. It will automatically go to Hi-Idle until it warms up so far. i won't move it until it idles down, and I don't "work" it til it gets really warmed up good.

 

[Runner]

"My 2520 is like 2-3 years old now, and it starts sooooooooo EASY in the winter. You guys are worrying about something thats likely never going to be an issue. I started mine last winter at -5F, and I let the throttle at idle speed, and just cranked it. It cranked for maybe 3 seconds at the MOST, and it fired right up, and was purring like a kitten. It will automatically go to Hi-Idle until it warms up so far. i won't move it until it idles down, and I don't "work" it til it gets really warmed up good."

I agree completely. I've never had any problems whatsoever starting mine in the winter. I've never even used the block heater. It starts much easier than my gas lawn tractor....