Starting your tractor in the winter.

[Scott64]

For starters im a retired heavy equipment operator and there's several things you can do. For one if you have a newer piece of equipment stay away from starting fluid !!! I've seen more engines destroyed with stuff than you can shack a stick at Lol. Also some newer equipment has heated (glow plug) air intake for cold weather starting using starting fluid on one these can cause a fire or an explosion ( seen a brand new truck crane burn to the ground because of this). The best thing to do is cycle the glow plugs a few times before starting the tractor the let it idle 5 to 15 min. PS yes some equipment has block heaters but this only makes it easer to start because it heat the coolent in the block and this warms the block some but this doesn't heat the oil so you stil need to idle engin a few mins till the oil warms .

 

[RoyJackson]

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:

Nothing wrong with doing that. The manual instructions for my Deere cold start (an intake heater) states to hold it on for 20-30 seconds...and in colder weather (if the tractor was outside), I'll do that twice.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Murph:

That depends upon the manual. Every one I have used has significant errors in it. For example on my TAFE it lists three hydraulic settings: back for loader, upright for 3 pt. hitch, forward for tipping lever (remote). It took a gauge to determine that "forward" is "off" on this machine, and the remote is on the same circuit as the loader. The manual warned not to run the pre-heater for more than 15 seconds, but the mechanic who prepared the tractor for me at the dealer's on a very cold day pre-heated it for 2 minutes and it started right up.

My Massey Ferguson 35 manual on hydraulics doesn't make any sense at all. Trial and error was the only way.

My Kubota manual mentions one HST filter. There are two.

My Bolens/Iseki manual can't tell the difference between a grease fitting and an oil filler hole, apparently.

And of course lubrication specs change with the times. Would anyone now put winter oil in a tractor?

 

[corey9212]

Are you sure your block heater is working?

I asked the mechanic when he was here and he said it was working. I still wonder some times though cause it feels like it should start a lot easier than it is (especially with a 30 second glow plug warm up on top of the block heater being plugged in)

 

[sd455dan]

I asked the mechanic when he was here and he said it was working. I still wonder some times though cause it feels like it should start a lot easier than it is (especially with a 30 second glow plug warm up on top of the block heater being plugged in)

If it is working- touching the block should confirm that it is near room temperature in most cases-

 

[drcrawdad]

I am waiting on the arrival of my new b2320 kubota and will be using it for snow removal and this is my first hst tractor is this going to present a problem for me when its cold or will the tranny warm up along with engine? and before dealer drops it off should i ask for block heater to be installed?

 

[RoyJackson]

I am waiting on the arrival of my new b2320 kubota and will be using it for snow removal and this is my first hst tractor is this going to present a problem for me when its cold or will the tranny warm up along with engine? and before dealer drops it off should i ask for block heater to be installed?

I have no idea where your location is...never heard of "garloz"...is that a place?

Anyway, if you regularly see temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, I strongly suggest you do have a block heater installed.

There have been numerous posts on this thread (and others) discussing warming the hydraulics...if you haven't read the whole thread, please do so.

 

[buickanddeere]

Multi cycling the glow plugs does what to improve starting performance and glow plug longevity? Once those plugs are red hot , they are red hot. Are you going to make them more red hot ?

 

[RoyJackson]

Multi cycling the glow plugs does what to improve starting performance and glow plug longevity? Once those plugs are red hot , they are red hot. Are you going to make them more red hot ?

The glow plugs won't get any hotter...but the combustion chamber will...and that's what you want for easier starting.

 

[RaydaKub]

Multi cycling the glow plugs does what to improve starting performance and glow plug longevity? Once those plugs are red hot , they are red hot. Are you going to make them more red hot ?

What Roy said. The heat from the plugs will dissipate to any and all metal around the plugs. Then the next cycle of the plugs will generate more heat to help start the engine. multiple cycles definitely helps.