When do you start with glow plug?

[demote]

My manual says to start using the glow plug to start the engine at 23 degrees F but the tractor seems to crank so much better when using it even though it's warm weather. What do you guys do?

 

[beenthere]

I use it when it is 0° or below.
I'd rather use the battery to start the tractor, than use it first to heat the glow plugs. When it starts without using 'glow', there is some more white smoke, but the heat of the combustion soon takes care of that and we're off.

Just a matter of preference.

 

[Bob_Young]

I use the plugs year 'round with my L4300. In warm weather the plugs are on for just a few seconds before starting. In cold weather, about 10 seconds. In either case, it's running after the first crankshaft revolution.

Without using the plugs, it requires more cranking, even in warm weather; not alot...but significantly more.
Bob

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'd rather use the battery to start the tractor, than use it first to heat the glow plugs.)</font> Any particular reason you prefer this approach?

I do it somewhat similar to Bob Young,

I like to have it start on close to first revolution.

On one of my diesels, I use year around (unless the engine is already warm) or it takes 5+ seconds of cranking before it starts, even if it's 90 degrees outside.

Another diesel starts on the touch of the key down to about 25 degrees. (then I use it)

 

[SacandagaBrad]

If it takes more than a couple of seconds to fire on my TC24, I let up and hit the glow plugs, then try it again during the summer. Once it goes below 50 or so, I use them every time.

Brad

 

[755inNY]

There is a wide range of cold weather starting capability across tractor brands and within brands. A one size fits all answer won't apply. Long periods of starter use is not good. The shorter the crank time the better so I would not hesitate to use the glow plugs at any temperature if it made a difference in how long you had to crank the engine over before start. In my opinion, it is better to use the glow plug for a few seconds and have the engine fire up right away than to not use it and have the engine crank over for several seconds or longer.

Jeff

 

[thcri]

I use the glow plugs every time. I have a 4 second light but glow plug will keep going until I move over to start. Even when it is 80 degrees out if I don't use the glow plugs the tractor seems to turn over for ever before it takes off. I just use it all the time and the colder it gets the longer I keep it on.

Cranking a diesel and it not starting right away can't be good on it and I am sure your dumping a lot of extra fuel in the cyclinder.

murph

 

[RalphVa]

On our 1983 Benz, its glow plugs work year round. Just watch for the indicator light to go out. In summer, it's only a couple seconds. At approx. 180,000 miles it still starts immediately after glowing.

So, I use this for the JD even though it deems not to give us an indicator light and "ready to start" indication by light going out. I just turn the key to start with it in gear for a count of 2 in the summer and a count of 5 in the winter. Starts immediately as soon as I slide the gear lever to N.

Ralph

 

[escavader]

Year round,but only a couple seconds in the summer.
ALAN

 

[shvl73]

We've got the same tractor. I use them when I'm no longer comfortable in a t-shirt /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. Roughly 65 degrees or lower, higher than that it starts almost instantly.

 

[frank_f15]

Thats a bout the same way i do it, unless i had just shut it down.

 

[thcri]

Even if I just shut it down I will hit them for a few seconds. It just can't hurt and will give you better starts.

murph

 

[demote]

Murph,
Interesting that the glow plugs continue heating even after the light goes out. I wonder if this is consistent with most brands? I generally wait for the light to go out but I'm going to time it next time. Danny

 

[beenthere]

Interesting comments all.

Even when I don't use the glow-plug warmup (mine is manual initiation by pushing forward on the key) my tractor engine always starts on the first spin. Never have I turned it over for 'seconds' without having it start. But it is still pretty new at 6 yrs old. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[bartonkj]

My VW's say when it is 40F or lower. I think the diesel pickup trucks are also about 40F. That's what I use with the tractor and it works well. I have no problem starting without the glow plugs when it's warm out. When it is down to the teens or so I double cycle the glow plugs and that works pretty well too.

 

[Roscoe]

Re the comment on the glow plugs continuing to work after the light goes out. On most Japanese built diesels in this country that are fitted to light vehicles, once the plugs have been activated, they get 12 volts to start with, once the light goes out , the voltage drops to 10 for a longer period then down to 8 I think for the final period. this happens automaticly and is designed assist combustion after the engine has started until the engine has warmed up a bit.

This may be the case in some tractors that you are refering too.

cheers
roscoe

 

[NIXON]

I rarely use the plugs . Generally it's kept in a heated garage . If not, It's plugged in on a timer . So far It's been put the key in and start it . but to be fair the coldest temps it's seen are around minus 4 f , John

 

[dennisthomas]

i always crank the engine for a few seconds when its cold outside and then turn on the glow plugs. this warms up the little bit of fuel in the cylinders making for a much easier start.

 

[Andy_H]

the glow plug(s) preheat the air entering the cylinder to help the combustion process and aid in easier starts. My question is why make a hard start for your engine? I always use the glow plugs on a cold start (first start of the day). Curious what your manual says for cold start procedure?

 

[MMM]

My Case doesn't have or need them to 20degF (arctic by LA standards), my Kubota won't start without glow plugs no matter the temperature. Maybe a compression ratio thing?