When do you plug in?

[wetstuff]

My 1070 is not a Chevy Volt .. but there appears to be a block heater plug hanging out the bottom of the front hood.. (I cannot see inside because the manual has not come for the tractor (Ebay purchase) .. and I cannot figger how to open the @#*! hood?!)

But, what's the general rule-of-thumb about what temps you would generally plug in a diesel. In WI/MN in the old days, we would only plug in a car when it was 'minus something'. Thanks.

Jim

 

[ihuntbear]

i have a timer on mine.I set the timer for one hour a day.The hour before I plan to use it.I have a bunch of snow contracts that have to be opened up before 7:00 am.I set the timer for 3:45 am ,start it up 4:45 am and ready to leave for 5am.I leave it plugged in .For one hour a day I don't think it would bother the power bill to much.I quess the answer to your question is around freezing mark

 

[wetstuff]

Bear ... which is around your Zero. ..'0' and '100' are so much easier than 32 and 212. (once you get used to it..)

I can understand why you have a cab; it can be really tough in NB. I have driven the 401, T.O to Sydney, a number of times in the Winter. And Detroit to Toronto can be exactly like scenes in the movie FARGO. ...tough.

Jim

 

[zzvyb6]

The hood release is on the right front corner (when facing forward) of the hood at the top of the radiator grill. There is a 2" lever there. Pull it straight out as you face the left side of the tractor. The hood will snap up a few inches. Raise it up by hand and set the hood prop rod, which is in the rear of the engine compartment. Look for the oil dipstick (check it), look for the fuel filter on the lower right rear side of the motor, check the battery water levels, and the radiator screen. The air filter can also be checked for excess dust and crud at this time. Battery cables don't last very long on this model in my experience. You might also want to check the fan belt condition and tension at this time. There is another fuel filter in the back of the 1070 on the right side at the bottom of the tank. Lastly, check the hydraulic fluid level at the dipstick at the rear center of the machine, by the upper 3 point link base.

I suppose you should check tire pressures, too. After greasing the steering, pedals and rear 3 pt linkages, you can check the radiator fluid. Then you will be ready for winter.

 

[JD755]

1070 hood opening from manual.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

You will have to be the judge of this, but anywhere below freezing is a good idea. Oil weight, and how quickly you need to get to work can influence this decision as well as starting performance. A liquid type block heater supports quick combustion, warmup and cranking, but does VERY little for the oil in the pan.

I run a 5w30 synthetic in my 3720 and seldom if ever plug it in, but I also try to keep it inside in winter. I have started several small Deere diesels in sub zero weather without plugging in. I always leave them run at an idle for a bit to warm teh oil and hydraulics a bit and then begin operation at a very light load initially until things loosen up.

If you are doing a lot of cold starts an adhesive type oil pan heater (where practical) is probably the best investment you can make. The draw less juice, and heat the oil more than anything. Since heat rises they do a fair job of warming the upper end. A block heater does more for teh upper end, but again the oil is jelly and the fast combustion lends a false sense of security and lets you think it's ready for work instantly.

 

[Transit]

Wetstuf, a typical diesel engine will start unaided to 40-45 F, below that you will need Glow Plugs, Compression release, oil-Coolant heaters. The typical diesel oil is a 15w-45; you may want to consider a 5w-45 or a 5w-30 for the extreme cold. The operating temperature may never reach the normal green range; consider blocking half the radiator to get the temp into the green.

 

[wetstuff]

Z-6/J-5 ... I saw that rod sticking out the side, but when I pulled it - it just pulled?! Maybe I need to pull it that tick farther to activate the hood release...

That's it. I was rotating it to not avail.. then simply did not pull it out far enough. That nasty (now nasty) sound deadener will be the first thing to go - 'is all dust. Cute little engine, eh?! I printed out your instructions Z-6.

... and that "block heater" would have done about 1/2 our city block; it's very warm in the engine compartment. Looks like it needs a thermostat/timer. (35f. out with winds into the 20's..)

Bear ... I make stuff for aircraft, and oddly enough, I'll be sending a cover to a customer in Fredericton, NB this afternoon. Small world.

Jim

 

[ihuntbear]

zero means zero celcius.sorry in canada we use metric.If you live in usa 32 F...The reason I have a cab is im tired of sweating my a>s off all summer and freezing all winter..Air cond in summer and heat all winter:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Mechanos]

Had a lot of trouble starting my 955 over the weekend. It just turned over so sluggishly that it wouldn't start. I eventually had to place my propane-fired forced air heater under the tractor to blow warm air on the oil pan. Once it would turn over fast enough, it fired right off. I'm going to try switching to a synthetic oil and if that isn't enough, I'll put a block heater on it.