Little Red Tractor
Gold Member
I read with interest all the threads about hard starting diesels in colder weather. Probably all CUT diesel owners do the same, wondering when they'll have the problem. I'm on my second diesel now. The first was a Bolens 15 HP which started hard until, on advice from a retired diesel mechanic, I started using an additive in the fuel. It seems to have have really helped that, and I've not stopped using it with the new tractor. Around here, a lot of diesel users cut the diesel fuel by 1/3 kerosene; but I believe that a bit of conditioner does the job as well for less money.
Another tip was to advance the throttle and spin it over a couple times before lighting up the glow plugs. That was a a help on the older tractor and works well on my Cat-powered Cub Cadet (which, I'm told, has a tradition of being hard-starting).
Heat is also a big help. I'm too lazy to put in a block heater, but in really cold weather I heat the space around the tractor either with a Kerosun heater nearby, or a high output work light in close proximity to the engine (if it can be done safely on your tractor--might not be possible with some units). Both work well, but leaving a light on overnight is cheaper than the kerosene for the heater in an uninsulated garage.
Finally, a fully charge battery is critical. In really cold weather the batteries supplied with a lot of CUTs might be marginal at best. Make sure your tractor is charging fully. As extra insurance, put a trickler on it, pulling it just before you start the machine.
This bag of tricks might not be the end-all to the problem, but a good place to start for those new to diesels. :thumbsup:
Another tip was to advance the throttle and spin it over a couple times before lighting up the glow plugs. That was a a help on the older tractor and works well on my Cat-powered Cub Cadet (which, I'm told, has a tradition of being hard-starting).
Heat is also a big help. I'm too lazy to put in a block heater, but in really cold weather I heat the space around the tractor either with a Kerosun heater nearby, or a high output work light in close proximity to the engine (if it can be done safely on your tractor--might not be possible with some units). Both work well, but leaving a light on overnight is cheaper than the kerosene for the heater in an uninsulated garage.
Finally, a fully charge battery is critical. In really cold weather the batteries supplied with a lot of CUTs might be marginal at best. Make sure your tractor is charging fully. As extra insurance, put a trickler on it, pulling it just before you start the machine.
This bag of tricks might not be the end-all to the problem, but a good place to start for those new to diesels. :thumbsup: