As I said before the lower radiator hose heater cured the cold start problem on my Max 28. They're around $20 on ebay. I bought the zerostart 1 1/4" one and it slipped right into the hose where I cut it. No trimming needed. Plug it in for about an hour before starting or more depending on the outside temp.
I went to get My Max28 today at the dealer.
The owner of the dealershp was there, not the service manager. I suspect the Service manger never got "Hands On" with my little tractor, as they has a big new Mahindra split in half with a warrantee motor replacement.
It was low 20's and I could not start my tractor.
Dealership owner was very nice, letting me start some other Max's and a 1500 seriees on the lot. They fired right up instantly after a GP cycle. I agree with owner of dealership that a block heater is reqiured in Antartica, not New Hampshire, with the exception of last winter where it hit -20 to below -30F in a few spots.
This winter it only hit the teens a few times. I've only burned 3 cord or less of wood this year, usually go through at least 4 to 5 cords by now..
Later it warmed up to about 30 F and tractor was in sun. I got the tractor started. Owner of dealership said this is not right and I left it there and drove home. I checked the fuel filter, clear and no ice in clear bowl. Fuel was not cloudy. There is another metal can filter with horizontal inlet & outlet, but I did not pull the spring Clamps off line to seee if water was in it? I use same fuel in all my machines and the Komatsu and Kubota's start ok. I plowed snow first thing in the AM.
Hoping for cold weather to get this sorted out. Owner said they would drain fuel and check lines, but he did not think it was fuel either.
I'm careful not to get snow/rain in fuel and it runs just fine warmed up. This can't be that complicated, we just need to find out "Duh, that's it!"
I bet it is something stupid and it affects a bunch of engines, becauses the Mahindra tractors I sttarted on the lot fitred right up with little or no smoke or chugging. To me a heater is a band aid in above zero degree F. weather.