DON'T FREEZE UP

KiotiDave · Jan 14, 2009

Hi All,
As everyone is well aware, we are going to get very cold this week.
Don't forget to add anti-gel treatment to your diesel fuel. About the only thing that will keep your KIOTI from starting in the cold is gelled fuel.
Kioti also allows a 20% kerosene mix istead of treatment.
I normally double what the bottle suggests, for example: Howes Lubricant says 1 oz treatment to 2 gallons of fuel. I put 1oz per gallon, it will not hurt anything and it is cheap insurance against your fuel solidifying in your filter, tank and lines. If it has ever happened to you, you know how much work it is to correct the problem.
I just wanted to remind everyone as we have had a couple of customers with a no start caused from the cold.
Good luck and keep warm.
KiotiDave

rimshot · Jan 14, 2009

The weatherman is claiming -30* tonight. Today I put in about 5 oz. of 911 in the 6 gal full tank even though my tractor is in a slightly heated garage (38*).

I believe that would be sufficient for working in the snow with my rear blower.

What do you think, should I still add Power service as well. So far no troubles with fuel but then it hasn't been this cold yet either.

rimshot

BJN644 · Jan 14, 2009

911 is what you put in when it's already gelled, you should not use it on a regular basis because it contains lots of alcohol. Use the Powerservice in the white bottle for routine use in the winter.

novi408 · Jan 14, 2009

Any hints on starting them in this type of weather? I cycled the glow plugs 3 times on my CK20S last night and it started with a little bit of sputtering and took maybe 10-20 seconds to smooth out. Not terrible, but I didn't know if there was a better way or if I would be causing any damage. Temp was probably about 13 degrees. The tractor is in an unheated garage. I have been using the Powerservice with every tank.

LBrown59 · Jan 14, 2009

BJN644 said:
911 is what you put in when it's already gelled, you should not use it on a regular basis because it contains lots of alcohol.
*Use the Powerservice in the white bottle for routine use in the winter.

*I do year round.

PILOON · Jan 14, 2009

I was blowing snow this PM and it BRRR was rather chilly.
-27 C.
Needed to 'help' the battery a little but she started OK. (just a bit of sputter sputter)
Did cycle the glow plugs 3 times.
Since I worked last night with lights on I probably did not have a full charge.
Sure nice to have a heater in the cab!

KiotiDave · Jan 15, 2009

Hi,
As far as starting in the cold, you can cycle the glow plugs several times as suggested. Once the engine starts and sputters, Kioti has a feature that lets you turn the glow plugs back on manually. As soon as the engine starts you can turn the key slightly toward the start position and the glow light will come on. If you hold it there for 15 or 20 seconds the engine will smooth out rather quickly and you can bump the throttle up to about 1200 rpms. After a minute or two you can lift the loader and let it back down to start to circulate the fluids a little. Don't rush it...let the tractor warm up a good 10 minutes in this cold weather.
Good Luck
KiotiDave

VictorW · Jan 15, 2009

You may just want to watch the fuel also.
This summer I started using off road diesel to save fuel costs. It's a reputable dealer and supplies many farms. I always use additive. Plowed snow the other day and added 5 gallons of just bought fuel before I parked the CK30. Today around 20', started the tractor, waited for warm up, and started plowing. After about 15 minutes, the tach was all over the place no matter where the throttle was. The engine had a mind of its own and wouldn't run steady at all. I'm talking 1,000rpm to 2,500 rpm like it had a governor on it. One time it died but I got it to restart. Limped it in my garage, no power when rpm's would slow down, and found no gelled fuel, 5 hours on a new filter, and the fuel did flow when I pulled the feed hose off. Figured it must be the fuel I added and I drained everything except for the fuel in the steel lines going to the injectors. Put in 5 gallons of new on road fuel, where I normally used to get it, and it ran perfect. Plowed for over an hour and the engine never missed a beat.
So is my idea right and is was bad fuel or are there gremlins lurking under the hood?

novi408 · Jan 15, 2009

KiotiDave said:
Hi,
As far as starting in the cold, you can cycle the glow plugs several times as suggested. Once the engine starts and sputters, Kioti has a feature that lets you turn the glow plugs back on manually. As soon as the engine starts you can turn the key slightly toward the start position and the glow light will come on. If you hold it there for 15 or 20 seconds the engine will smooth out rather quickly and you can bump the throttle up to about 1200 rpms. After a minute or two you can lift the loader and let it back down to start to circulate the fluids a little. Don't rush it...let the tractor warm up a good 10 minutes in this cold weather.
Good Luck
KiotiDave

Thanks. I have used the additional glow plug feature you mentioned. It has seemed to help. MichiganIron told me about this feature when he delivered the tractor. I was just worried cycling the glow plugs 3 times would be bad for the tractor. I have also been letting it warm up for 10 minutes or so. Usually for 5 minutes and then cycle the front plow and then let it run a few more minutes.

LBrown59 · Jan 15, 2009

VictorW said:
You may just want to watch the fuel also.
This summer I started using off road diesel to save fuel costs.
It's a reputable dealer and supplies many farms.
I always use additive. Plowed snow the other day and added 5 gallons of just bought fuel before I parked the CK30. Today around 20', started the tractor, waited for warm up, and started plowing. After about 15 minutes, the tach was all over the place no matter where the throttle was. The engine had a mind of its own and wouldn't run steady at all. I'm talking 1,000rpm to 2,500 rpm like it had a governor on it. One time it died but I got it to restart. Limped it in my garage, no power when rpm's would slow down, and found no gelled fuel, 5 hours on a new filter, and the fuel did flow when I pulled the feed hose off. Figured it must be the fuel I added and I drained everything except for the fuel in the steel lines going to the injectors. Put in 5 gallons of new on road fuel, where I normally used to get it, and it ran perfect. Plowed for over an hour and the engine never missed a beat.
So is my idea right and is was it bad fuel or are there gremlins lurking under the hood?

I doubt it was the fuel.
If it was all those farms would have had the same problem too.
Depending on their tractors is more inportant to them than you depending on your tractor is to you; so I'd say they would not be buying fuel they did not have faith in.