starting Branson 3820i

[donaldg]

Just bought a new 38201. So far so good. Just one question, and please forgive my ignorance as this is my first diesel tractor. The operator's manual states that to start the tractor, you wait for the glow plug light to turn off, have the throttle on max, and then start the tractor. Is there another, better way? I ask this as it seems to take me two to three attempts before the tractor starts. I appreciate any feedback.

 

[SnowRidge]

I have a 3520, and I'm not sure what the difference in engines is, but I start mine at idle. In fact, I can't think of any diesel that I have owned or operated that required the throttle to be wide open for starting.

May be a typo or translation error in the manual.

BTW, I don't even bother with the preheat, unless it is cold out. It always fires right up without it in warm weather, even after sitting for prolonged periods.

 

[donaldg]

Thanks very much. I double-checked the manual and it says to have the throttle at max. I think you are right as I am uncomfortable starting at max. Thanks for the info.

 

[Tscott9330]

Yeah, X2 on what Snowridge said. I start mine at idle and depending on how patient I am I may wait for the coil light to go out. Diesels hate high rpm'm so I am quite Conservative in that area.

Tom

 

[SnowRidge]

Hey, how about that. My manual actually says the same thing. I don't think I ever noticed that before.

I have a complete set of books that came with the tractor. They were clearly written in Korea and translated to English by someone other than a native English speaker.

I will continue to start mine at idle.

 

[DavesTractor]

Just bought a new 38201. So far so good. Just one question, and please forgive my ignorance as this is my first diesel tractor. The operator's manual states that to start the tractor, you wait for the glow plug light to turn off, have the throttle on max, and then start the tractor. Is there another, better way? I ask this as it seems to take me two to three attempts before the tractor starts. I appreciate any feedback.

They are probably wanting the extra enrichment on start up, but I always have mine at idle. Unless it is real cold, turn the key, count to about 7, then start it. Seems to work better than waiting longer. If you do start it with the throttle all the way up, as soon as it fires, throttle down before it revs.

 

[bobmisi]

YOU NEVER WANT TO START ANY ENGINE AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. THAT IS WHEN THERE IS NO OIL ON ANY INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS EXCEPT WHAT IS LEFT OVER FROM THE LAST TIME IT WAS USED. ALSO THE ENGINE BLOCK AND INTERNALS ARE COLD AND ALL ENGINES EXPAND WHEN THEY ARE WARM SO THERE IS MORE CLEARANCE ON ALL MOVING PARTS. MY 38201 STARTS AT IDLE AND I WOULD NOT DO IT ANY OTHER WAY, UNLESS IT WOULD NOT START AT IDLE. I'VE SEEN GUYS REV COLD ENGINES AND HAVE A ROD COME RIGHT THROUGH THE BLOCK. MY TRACTOR RARELY GETS USED ABOVE 1500 RPM'S AS IT IS REALLY UNECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT I'M DOING. ONLY TIME WOULD BE WHEN USING THE POWER TAKE OFF TO RUN THE GENERATOR, AND I HATE RUNNING IT THAT WAY, SO I RUN IT USING 1000 RPM PTO INSTEAD OF 540 AND USE LESS RPM'S.

 

[SnowRidge]

YOU NEVER WANT TO START ANY ENGINE AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. THAT IS WHEN THERE IS NO OIL ON ANY INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS EXCEPT WHAT IS LEFT OVER FROM THE LAST TIME IT WAS USED. ALSO THE ENGINE BLOCK AND INTERNALS ARE COLD AND ALL ENGINES EXPAND WHEN THEY ARE WARM SO THERE IS MORE CLEARANCE ON ALL MOVING PARTS. MY 38201 STARTS AT IDLE AND I WOULD NOT DO IT ANY OTHER WAY, UNLESS IT WOULD NOT START AT IDLE. I'VE SEEN GUYS REV COLD ENGINES AND HAVE A ROD COME RIGHT THROUGH THE BLOCK. MY TRACTOR RARELY GETS USED ABOVE 1500 RPM'S AS IT IS REALLY UNECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT I'M DOING. ONLY TIME WOULD BE WHEN USING THE POWER TAKE OFF TO RUN THE GENERATOR, AND I HATE RUNNING IT THAT WAY, SO I RUN IT USING 1000 RPM PTO INSTEAD OF 540 AND USE LESS RPM'S.

Please do not use all caps when you post. It makes it very difficult to read.

Thanks.