Starting your tractor in the winter.

[jayhawk238]

I have a Kubota L5030. Along with a block heater, which is always plugged in during the winter, I also have a heated battery blanket which really helps in the cold Idaho winters. I also installed a remote starter from Auto Alarm Pro. It really makes it nice to start it from the house without having to trudge through the snow to my tractor shed, start the tractor then trudge through the snow back to the house, wait 20 minutes then walk back through the snow start blowing snow. It's also nice to get into a warm cab!!

 

[Boeing]

I might be wasting my time and battery but when it's cold I turn the key to get the glow plug hot then when the glow light goes out (5 seconds or so) I turn off the key and do it again. I might do this 3 or 4 times to make sure that the glow plugs are really hot before I try to start it. I do the same with my little diesel generator...........worked so far.:thumbsup:

 

[Been there]

Here is some info direct from Kubota, about their suggestions for cold-weather-starting of Kubotas.

Cold Weather Starting Tips | OrangeTractorTalks

Please note their comments about NOT using ether (starting fluid) for starting modern diesel engines.

 

[DarkBlack]

Here is some info direct from Kubota, about their suggestions for cold-weather-starting of Kubotas.

Cold Weather Starting Tips | OrangeTractorTalks

Please note their comments about NOT using ether (starting fluid) for starting modern diesel engines.

I give no credence to an article that states "After preheating the glow plugs for 60-90 seconds, fully depress the gas pedal and begin to crank the engine."

 

[DarkBlack]

Leaving your machine out in the cold is going to invite 10X more condensation "issues" than if you store your machine inside in a warmed environment.
I think anyone trying to scare people of something else to worry about, being, warmed garages, need to get a job with our current bad joke called the news media.

 

[Rattlerjake]

Hey Roy, I think your quote should read [A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded ****** and emotional IMMATURITY...]

 

[Desert Panther]

I have a peel and stick 400 watt heater on the oil sump, and an old sleeping bag that fits over the engine compartment. Engine starts below freezing get 2-3 hours of warmup first. 0 F is the bottom end. Below that the operator (me) freezes too fast, and the hydraulics are stiff and sluggish. I also have the battery on one of these 'maintainance' trickle chargers.

Mine you in winter the onlly reason to start the tractor is for snow clearing, and to redo the ski trails. These jobs take about an hour each.

two to three HOURS of warmup?!?!?!?! Was that a typo, or do you really let your machine run for 3 hours to warm it up?

 

[dave1949]

two to three HOURS of warmup?!?!?!?! Was that a typo, or do you really let your machine run for 3 hours to warm it up?

I'm pretty sure he means he applies the heater and sleeping bag for 3 hours, then starts the tractor.

 

[Jerry/MT]

My block heater is plugged in a thermostat controlled outlet (turns on when it hits 0) so for the last month it has been on steady and it was still a struggle to start, that's why I made the call.

Are you sure your block heater is working?

 

[TomSeller]

Hey Roy, I think your quote should read [A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded ****** and emotional IMMATURITY...]

"Retarded.... immaturity" would be "maturity". Double negative.