So I fired up my DK 45 at 0 degrees F today

[Gator6x4]

So I fired up my DK 45 at 0 degrees F today, no block heater, I normally would not go out of my way to start it that cold, but I wanted to know what to expect and if there would be any problems when I really need the tractor.

When I did my 50 hr service I switched to 5w40 Rotella T6 synthetic, my fuel is treated with Howes.
My point and shoot infared thermometer showed the engine oil, coolant and hydraulic oil all at +1F.

I hit the manual pre-heat (key all the way to the left) for about 13 seconds, then turned the key forward for the timed cycle, then to start, It fired instantly, it blew some smoke for about 1 second, and then cleared, and then just exhaust steam until the muffler and pipe warmed up.

The hydraulic pump made a little noise for a couple minutes, it would go quiet when I raised the bucket.
Next time I think I will feather the bucket lightly to avoid pump cavitation, or whatever made the noise.

FYI for you guys that think your tractors are warmed up because the temp gauge came up, after 15 minutes of running with my coolant temp gauge up in the middle between the dots, my engine oil was up to 25 degrees F.

Just thought I would report my findings.

Overall I am very pleased that it started so well being that cold.

Good information. The slow oil temperature rise is why I switched to synthetic oils years ago. Dino oil just does flow well in cold weather.

 

[kiotiken]

For us, 0F is a cold day. Our winter seems to hang around +10F with a week or so late January near 0F. My baby lives in a heated workshop (65F), so it starts without issues. (so far) :laughing:

Wow, 1 hr seems to make a big difference in temperature!!!! In the 14 day forecast for our area, there are only 3 days where the temperature isn't supposed to get that cold or colder, and we're still in the early days of December. I've been thinking it's been way to mild this year, I'm sitting around waiting for it to get cold enough to start the rink. I don't know Rick, either Perth is a lot warmer than Ottawa or you need to come out of hibernation, I call 0F a mild winter day and +10F a winter heat wave for Ottawa! My DK 45 is grumpy at - 35C (-31F), but it's never let me down.

 

[rmorey]

Wow, 1 hr seems to make a big difference in temperature!!!! In the 14 day forecast for our area, there are only 3 days where the temperature isn't supposed to get that cold or colder, and we're still in the early days of December. I've been thinking it's been way to mild this year, I'm sitting around waiting for it to get cold enough to start the rink. I don't know Rick, either Perth is a lot warmer than Ottawa or you need to come out of hibernation, I call 0F a mild winter day and +10F a winter heat wave for Ottawa! My DK 45 is grumpy at - 35C (-31F), but it's never let me down.

We moved in October, to Ompah. Retired to the lake. :cool2: :jump:

It's been 0C to -5C (32F to 23F) here most days so far this winter. But winters just havent been that cold lately. We always seem to get a "January thaw" (+5C/41F), then a week or two long "cold snap" (-25C/-13F) in early February, but mostly we get -10C to-15C (14F to 5F) all winter. :snowman: :snowflake:

 

[grm61]

Wow, 1 hr seems to make a big difference in temperature!!!! In the 14 day forecast for our area, there are only 3 days where the temperature isn't supposed to get that cold or colder, and we're still in the early days of December. I've been thinking it's been way to mild this year, I'm sitting around waiting for it to get cold enough to start the rink. I don't know Rick, either Perth is a lot warmer than Ottawa or you need to come out of hibernation, I call 0F a mild winter day and +10F a winter heat wave for Ottawa! My DK 45 is grumpy at - 35C (-31F), but it's never let me down.

Sheesh, I guess I shouldn't worry about zero then.
You know how it is , new tractor, all the new unknowns.

 

[kiotiken]

We moved in October, to Ompah. Retired to the lake. :cool2: :jump:

It's been 0C to -5C (32F to 23F) here most days so far this winter. But winters just havent been that cold lately. We always seem to get a "January thaw" (+5C/41F), then a week or two long "cold snap" (-25C/-13F) in early February, but mostly we get -10C to-15C (14F to 5F) all winter. :snowman: :snowflake:

Nice, congratulations, I'm more than a little jealous. Is it your property in Ompah that's 200 acres, I thought that was your place in Perth. I have to admit, I had to look Ompah up on a map, it's not that far from Perth. From the balmy winter temps you described, I figured it must be half way to Florida!

 

[kiotiken]

Sheesh, I guess I shouldn't worry about zero then.
You know how it is , new tractor, all the new unknowns.

In all seriousness, 0F won't/shouldn't be any concern for starting your tractor as long as the glow plugs are working properly. I was given the tip to only use one glow plug cycle when it's really cold and as soon as it fires, cycle and hold the glow plugs on till it smooths out. It works like a charm. I don't know if I've ever started the tractor at -35C without the block heater, I doubt I would have, but I bet I could. Down in temperatures that cold, I started my first tractor up (JD 955), let it warm up for a good 3 minutes (maybe) and started merrily on my way. I ended up blowing gears through the rear diff casting. That was my first winter ever owning a tractor and I didn't realize how long they're supposed to warm up. Kioti says 20+ minutes in sub-zero weather (can't remember the exact temp they give). I try to let it idle around 1200-1400 rpm then run it with the PTO engaged to warm up the hydraulic oil. So far, all my gears have stayed inside the tractor...

 

[rmorey]

Nice, congratulations, I'm more than a little jealous. Is it your property in Ompah that's 200 acres, I thought that was your place in Perth. I have to admit, I had to look Ompah up on a map, it's not that far from Perth. From the balmy winter temps you described, I figured it must be half way to Florida!

Perth was a 2 acre lot in a subdivision. We were there 10 years. When I retired, we looked at "the cottage" and said "why not". So we sold up and moved. It's all off grid, Hydro told us that power was $150k due south. Solar install was just under $30k. So far so good.

 

[kiotiken]

Good for you. You should be able to live as comfortably as anybody else with a $30K solar install. And just think, that's what the rest of us will be paying Ontario Hydro every year the way things are going.

 

[DeereMann]

The snowplow went by AGAIN last evening - to clean up a 1 inch dusting of snow. It was -5 degrees F, the tractor is in 45 degree F pole barn. It fires right up, of course, I let it mid-idle speed for 5 minutes or so outside (per manufacturer's recommendation), but it doesn't really warm up - the engine coolant temp needle barely comes off "cold" peg.

No coolant heater came with my engine, so it likely doesn't need one. Then again, this is a 2012 pre-EPA Tier IV emissions model. That means it has more advanced fuel injection timing than new engines, so i guess all is well?

Anyway, it does not white smoke or stumble, so I guess all is well.

 

[CJONE]

I have never had to heat mine any extra over the first auto cycle, even at 15 below zero. Regular 15/40 and no block heater, it does sit in a unheated pole barn. Need to get the block heater installed but it does start good without it. Keep you engine rpm down until you hear the pump stop making noise [cavitation]. CJ