bdhsfz6
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2015
- Messages
- 2,309
- Location
- Northeastern Pennsylvania
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5800 HST & L6060 HSTC Formerly L6060 HST B7100 HST, L2550, L3010 HST, L3430 HST
It's that time of year again when cold weather tractor starts become an issue. Here in northeast PA, our winters are not that severe. We average 5 or 6 subzero mornings per season. I've owned 6 Kubotas since 1979 which were kept in unheated buildings. In all that time, I have had only one cold weather start problem. I was unable to start my L3430HST at -11* in January of 2014. The engine turned over but too slowly to start. I eventually got it running by using a propane space heater for an hour or so. That incident prompted me to get a block heater for the tractor. I never installed it though since the problem turned out to be a weak battery.
I considered block heaters on the tractors I now own but decided against it due to the fairly good luck I've had over the years. It's been my experience that these Kubota tractors are remarkably good cold weather starters. I've routinely started mine in temps of 0 or slightly below. I use 5W-30 Kubota engine oil and SUDT2 trans fluid.
BTW, the local dealer here doesn't push block heaters. They say its a personal preference and aren't necessary in our local climate. The only advantage is it shortens the recommended tractor warm up time and gets heated cabs up to temp faster.
My question is, how bad do the cold weather conditions have to be to really require a block heater? I know this can depend on tractor and battery condition but please share any personal experience you have!
I considered block heaters on the tractors I now own but decided against it due to the fairly good luck I've had over the years. It's been my experience that these Kubota tractors are remarkably good cold weather starters. I've routinely started mine in temps of 0 or slightly below. I use 5W-30 Kubota engine oil and SUDT2 trans fluid.
BTW, the local dealer here doesn't push block heaters. They say its a personal preference and aren't necessary in our local climate. The only advantage is it shortens the recommended tractor warm up time and gets heated cabs up to temp faster.
My question is, how bad do the cold weather conditions have to be to really require a block heater? I know this can depend on tractor and battery condition but please share any personal experience you have!