starting tractor in the cold

[mit]

`this would be my first winter with this tractor. would like to have tips on getting it started in the cold weather.i have new glow plugs.at 40 degrees it is starting to get difficult to start.have pre heat about 4 times and hold the starter for a while.at 30 it may not even crank wah .wah .

 

[SpringHollow]

Is a oil heater or coolant heater an option? Or one of the magnetic heaters? They have all worked well for me but if you do not have electric at the tractor, that would be a problem.

Ken

 

[wushaw]

I hold the glow plugs on for 10sec before trying to start when it gets to about that temp.

 

[lens12]

I like heating the water since it surronds the cylinders. I have block heaters available.

 

[mit]

so the trick is to get the engine cylinders to a 70 degrees temperature before starting?

 

[wushaw]

so the trick is to get the engine cylinders to a 70 degrees temperature before starting?

Well I don't know about 70 but In the summer I count to three then start and in the winter I count to 10.

My summer temp could be 100 and I still do a three count, otherwise it take many starter revolutions for it to start.

 

[diyDave]

From Experience, I can tell you, when ya got 4 barn cats layin on top of the tractor, the block heater has been on long enough for a quick start!

 

[mit]

hey wushaw do u have the block heaters? how hot do these heaters get the block up to? do u store the tractor outside? how old is your tractor? i guess mine is 25 yrs.

 

[mit]

i put in new glow plugs yesterday today was too warm to tell if it is starting any better. tomorrow if it cools down i will give it a try.i will be willing to try a heater if enough people says it works.my old glow plugs are still good they heat up fine.i cleaned them and keeping for spares.

 

[wushaw]

hey wushaw do u have the block heaters? how hot do these heaters get the block up to? do u store the tractor outside? how old is your tractor? i guess mine is 25 yrs.

I don't have or need a block heater for the few real cold days we get here.
If it gets cold I just wait a day or two till it warms back up if I need to use the little Mitsubishi.
I store my tractors under a awning so they are in the cold or heat.
I am guessing that my MT372 was built in the late 80's since my stepfather bought it in 92 and it had just a few hrs on it, it only has 305 on it now.

 

[mit]

hi wushaw,my little toy has like 1300 hours. she starts well above 50 degrees f. i guess the compression could be on the low spectrum i did not check it.she still runs fine with a lot of power.as it gets colder here i will find out what the cold will do to her.i put her up near to my shed under a plywood shade.i may need heaters if i want to push snow this winter.but i do not want to mess with the freeze plugs.this being my first diesel tractor and all.

 

[mit]

i used a diesel additive called sea foam. u put it in the tank with diesel fuel and it does miracles to your engine.it helps with hard starting.

 

[Egon]

Don't know how cold it gets in your area but if you want good cold weather starting a block heater or an inline heater is a real help.

A tarp placed over the tractor with a small heater underneath will also work.

Leaving the glow plugs on for a longer time period will also help when it's just cool out like maybe -10C.

 

[mit]

yep u are right i do need heaters on this thing. if it goes to 40 deg f it will crank too slow to start. probably need a battery booster too..thank u for the info.

 

[Spiveyman]

From Experience, I can tell you, when ya got 4 barn cats layin on top of the tractor, the block heater has been on long enough for a quick start!

As a blue guy I don't usually post in the other threads, but I read them to learn what I can. This caught my eye as I'm new to tractoring and approaching the cold weather. That line was hilarious!! Thanks for the chuckle.

 

[Egon]

Cats on the hood, cats on the engine block!

In cold country there has been more than one cat settled down on a nice warm engine block only to find the fan when it tries to get off the engine as it is started!

 

[mit]

dang!! i got to get me a couple of them barn cats.my battery is getting weaker in the cold too.is there a heating wrap for that too?

 

[billbill1]

Your battery might be getting weak, they will test it for you at most auto parts stores for free. I bought a NAPA lower radiator hose heater for $30 and it makes a huge difference. I plug mine in for about 30 minutes before starting in cold weather. It makes the block hot enough that you can't leave a bare hand on the surface nearest the heater. Just measure the inside diameter of the lower radiator hose and buy the size that fits, cut out a 2" section of the hose and install with 2 hose clamps.

 

[gb19711]

HI MIT!

Can't tell where you live so I'm not sure how cold it gets in your neck of the woods. I live in the upper Mid-Atlantic and it gets fairly cold and icy in the winter in my area. I keep my diesel tractor outside under a lined tarp and add a magnetic heater to the lower block (oil pan?) area when I know I'm going to need the extra heat, like before a snow storm! Heat rises so it seems to heat the block very well. I also had a slow cranking problem so I went to the largest CCA (850-900) battery that would fit in the battery space. So far it's worked great and starts super quick in the summer as well. Be sure and add an additive to your fuel to prevent it from gelling up. Good luck!

Greg

 

[mit]

it gets reasonable cold here in new york area it ices sometines for days.i put sea foam in the tank that should help with the jelling. i will look into the hose heater.ssb tractors should have them.thank u all for the advices.