A kind hello to all TBN readers and members. I have been reading this forum for about two months now and have learned a great deal from its many friendly users. This is my first post. I purchased a 1998 B-21 with 2300 hours for $12200 2 weeks ago. Overall the tractor was well maintained. About the only problem I have encountered pertains to starting the tractor. Over the last two weeks, when starting the tractor (engine cold) the outside temperture has been about 50 F. The engine would not start unless I held the key in the "pre-heat" position for 30-45 sec. On Sunday, it was much colder then it had been with the temp yesterday about 22 degrees when I went out to start it. Any guesses as to what happened next? In fact I tried setting the key to the "pre-heat" position for 3-5 mins at a time. About the only thing I accomplished was getting a numb thumb and index finger. Then the battery went dead. I charged it up, an hour later when the outside temp was up a bit it started quite easier than it had any time during the last two weeks. Now for the fine print. Inially when I got the tractor, after starting it up the key would not completey return to the run position. Rather, it would get stuck in the preheat position. And unless you happened to notice it, I could stay this way for ???. This was a rental unit with many different users, thus I am sure the key was left in the "pre-heat" position many times. Can this ruin the glow plugs? Is there a way to test them? Are they difficult to replace? What about the battery, could there be more than one issue compounding the problem. This is my first tractor, for that matter first diesel anything. Any help would be greatly appreciated.