What does your tractor start like in cold weather?

[buickanddeere]

started like summer. Just plugged the block heater in 3hrs prior.

 

[Zdenek]

Left my 3940 outside last night. Really needed it today to move snow and ice that has accumulated allowing water to run into one of my shops. It was 37 degrees all night and there was no way this thing would start, just cranked and white smoke belched out of her. I never leave this piece of crap machine far from an electrical outlet because it does not start well so I ran a cord and plugged it in, went about ripping up ice with the excavator. Went back an hour later still no start so I checked the outlet and the ground fault had tripped. Tried another outlet and same thing, it would go about 5 seconds then trip the ground fault.

Went in grabbed my trusty old hair dryer that I used to take on snowmobile trips because at -40f in Quebec sometimes the sleds wouldn't start either so we'd throw the hair dryer under the hood for 20 minutes and be on our way. Left the hair dryer running then checked the cord to the factory installed block heater, as you can see the heater is bad letting anti-freeze leak into the plug in.

Glad the hair dryer trick worked. I've never been so dis-satisfied with a new purchase as I have with this piece of absolute crap tractor.

Fred

Fred, fix your glow plugs. Kubota puts there undersized relay. I bet you have a 40 amp relay there. It needs 80 amp relay. Will start on the first crank. What really sucks about Kubota is the lack of service and support.

 

[Oldpath05]

That 3400 starts great. I have been keeping my shop at 45 degrees to save oil and you must let the glow plugs run a full cycle to get it started. You should see the black smoke roll out of it when it finally does go.

This Summer I will try to advance the timing a couple degrees and see what happens, have not been impressed with this machine. Picked up a 6 foot Taylorway 962 tiller yesterday I hope the machine runs it well.

Fred, If it would only stop snowing. 3 feet on the ground here and 4 feet just north of here 15 miles, it's crazy.

What's that timing that get's adjusted? By the how you describe the way your tractor starts, in a 45 degree building, and the black smoke, sounds like something is wrong. The last time I had a lot of black smoke come out of my L3400, is when I put 6 qt. of oil in the motor, instead of 5.

 

[Chilly807]

The 3400 is a good cold starter, which is why I started this thread way back when. After seeing some of the starts the guys were getting on the Grand Ls, I wondered how wide spread this was in the tractor world. Mine is like Old Path's, one little puff and it's running. A little sharper crack when it's really cold, but still good behavior from a diesel.
I'm hoping someone with one of the Tier 4 engines has a video for us before it gets warm this year. Common rail and direct injection should be as good as it gets, but I haven't seen one start yet. My dealer says they're the cat's meow, although more complex and expensive up front.
I'm happy with mine, and see no need to change.

Sean

 

[crazyal]

Fred you have a problem. It could be your glow plugs are not turning on or maybe something else. My 4240 will start at below zero temps without using the block heater. I just have to wait for the glow plug light to go out. It'll pop a little and white smoke comes out but only for a few moments. I started it up last night, low 30s and started just fine, almost no white smoke and no popping.

 

[The Fred]

Fred you have a problem.

YUP Al I should have bought green!

Fred

 

[DeereMann]

But Fred, that green paint is proprietary so costs a bunch more!

 

[pmhowe]

A month ago, we had -19F. I let the block heater work for an hour or so while I had breakfast. My L4240 started up with no problem. I let it run for a little longer than usual to let the hydraulic system warm up. I suspect the engine would have started with the glow plugs alone, but I don't like putting the extra stress on the engine. I am amazed that Fred has had so many problems with his L3940 - although, from what I have read and seen, dealer prep can be a bit spotty.

 

[crazyal]

YUP Al I should have bought green!

Fred

Hate to tell you (since you should already know this) but no matter which brand you buy if it has a problem and you don't get it repaired then you can't expect it to magically fix itself and operate correctly.

 

[skyhook]

Next year, i'll be installing a "battery warmer blanket",
they use about 50 or 80 watts of power and keep your battery nice and warm.
Glow plugs and a good strong battery is all you should really need.
If she turns over fast, and the glow plugs have done their job, she'll start.