GC cold weather start ??

[Snobdds]

Yup, I'd be banging my head also If'n the concept of what it takes to start engines in cold weather just weren't there.

lol. You're right, the concept is lost on me. Those OEM's can't make a diesel that can start in cold weather, regardless of modern synthetic oil's and glow plugs. Furthermore, these little tractors freeze up solid, just ask that Axle guy, in a cold spell and the rotating mass of metal lacks sufficient lubrication to even turn over, due to the frictional losses a few ice crystals make. As you know the only remedy to this is a good ole blanket with a heater placed in such a way to heat the fragile metal to such a temperature that those cold Canadian winds don't hurt it. Then we must not forget the starter that can't seem to turn over unless we have a 50 amp battery charger hooked up to it, this is of course for anything below 32...thats 0 for you Canucks...eh.

 

[atsah]

A garage with a grampa bear in it is in the works when the Frost leaves the ground in May at my place, can't wait to get started.

 

[AxleHub]

Atsah, kinda an off topic question. When we watch national weather on abc or other channels. . they talk about such and such 's moving into the New England states. . . . Then they'll mention New York and Connecticut and Maryland and Vermont real fast as a grouping. But they never seem to say Maine as part of the New England states.

At the same time the New England Patriots play in Massachusetts. I'm confused why Maine which is a fair sized state gets so little attention or notice. . . and why the New England states" seems to refer to so many states unlike no other part of the country. I never hear about your weather but Maryland and Vermont and PA and MA are always talked about.
I would personally think Maine would be pretty but cold and heavy snows and rains. . . but it's not what they report. Strange.

 

[atsah]

Very true, it seems that MA, RI, CT, and other's hype everything up in the subject of weather, if they get a foot of snow it's automatically a blizzard and most times they get 5 inches. A 20 inch snow storm is pretty common around here and we take it in stride, we have 5 ft of snow in the woods right now down from 6ft.

We think nothing of it really, it's the norm here but if it happens down south it's the worst thing since the war.

I watch the news when I visit family in MA and it reminds me why I left that place.

 

[Egon]

lol. You're right, the concept is lost on me. Those OEM's can't make a diesel that can start in cold weather, regardless of modern synthetic oil's and glow plugs. Furthermore, these little tractors freeze up solid, just ask that Axle guy, in a cold spell and the rotating mass of metal lacks sufficient lubrication to even turn over, due to the frictional losses a few ice crystals make. As you know the only remedy to this is a good ole blanket with a heater placed in such a way to heat the fragile metal to such a temperature that those cold Canadian winds don't hurt it. Then we must not forget the starter that can't seem to turn over unless we have a 50 amp battery charger hooked up to it, this is of course for anything below 32...thats 0 for you Canucks...eh.

Yup; lots of reasons to bang your head!

 

[edgarrian]

Well that was an interesting read. I grew up on a farm and we didn't normally have block heaters on our tractors, we also purchased used. So if they came with one then it was used. If it didn't then it was no big deal. I have a block heater for my little tractor and use it when I know I'm about to use the tractor when it is cold. Personally for me its just convenience. I don't get into all the theories I just like the fact that its somewhat warm when i start it. Kind of like having a tiller. Something Ill rarely use but its great to have for the convenience. Or QA. Don't need that either but it sure makes it easier.

 

[Snobdds]

Yup; lots of reasons to bang your head!

WEAK!

 

[buickanddeere]

lol. You're right, the concept is lost on me. Those OEM's can't make a diesel that can start in cold weather, regardless of modern synthetic oil's and glow plugs. Furthermore, these little tractors freeze up solid, just ask that Axle guy, in a cold spell and the rotating mass of metal lacks sufficient lubrication to even turn over, due to the frictional losses a few ice crystals make. As you know the only remedy to this is a good ole blanket with a heater placed in such a way to heat the fragile metal to such a temperature that those cold Canadian winds don't hurt it. Then we must not forget the starter that can't seem to turn over unless we have a 50 amp battery charger hooked up to it, this is of course for anything below 32...thats 0 for you Canucks...eh.

How do you start diesels without glow plugs or intake grid heaters? Why do you prefer the engine to rattle for the first few minutes of operation? Why do you want to idle for an extended time while burning expensive fuel instead of a short warmup after heating with cheap electricity ?

 

[Snobdds]

How do you start diesels without glow plugs or intake grid heaters? Why do you prefer the engine to rattle for the first few minutes of operation? Why do you want to idle for an extended time while burning expensive fuel instead of a short warmup after heating with cheap electricity ?

I guess you should quote where I said to start without glow plugs or grid heaters. Then we can have a quality discussion without hyperbole. :thumbsup:

 

[buickanddeere]

I guess you should quote where I said to start without glow plugs or grid heaters. Then we can have a quality discussion without hyperbole. :thumbsup:

No block heater, no glow plugs, no inlet grid heater and no ether . Now hit the starter on that diesel at -20F .

 

[Snobdds]

No block heater, no glow plugs, no inlet grid heater and no ether . Now hit the starter on that diesel at -20F .

Why would anyone do that? Surely I've never said anything to that effect, but quote me if I did.

 

[Egon]

WEAK!

Yup; weak, that happens when the head get's banged too often!

 

[not2old]

A few years back, I parked my GC2610 out back away from electrical power for one winter. Anytime I tried to start it when below -5 C I ran the battery dead and had to jump it. When the block heater is plugged in for a couple of hours, it would start right away without using the glow plugs. All I know is what works for me.

 

[ray66v]

I am on record, that if you need a block heater to start your tractor, be my guest.

I have also said, that if I lived somewhere that gets extremely cold, all the time, perhaps I would use one.

My principal complaint is, that it is constantly suggested that these tractors need, or have to have, a block heater. That is not necessarily true.

In the 12 years I have had my tractor, I have not ever needed a block heater. And, it's gotten below 0F.

You do have to learn how to start it. Yes, it's done differently.

Thinking, that because you can't start it, when it's cold, without a lot of issues, it's must not be possible, is incorrect. Perhaps it's the one thing you aren't good at.

Cranking it until the battery dies, does not ever work.

Thinking that you need to crank a long time, when cold starting is wrong. In fact, it often does not necessarily crank any longer than when it's not cold out.

Also incorrect, is the thinking that a cold diesel engine will chug, shake, run rough, and and billow smoke, when it starts. That can happen, if you don't start it correctly, or you have mechanical issues. It does not have to happen.

You can argue the virtues of using a block heater. But, I suggest you still know how to start it without killing the battery, for when you can't, or don't plug it in.

 

[buickanddeere]

Tell us your secret and it had better not be ether .

 

[buickanddeere]

April 3rd at 3:17PM. It took a while to realize that you were pulling our legs and shooting the bull for entertainmmet value rather than being honest about how cold diesels are started .

 

[atsah]

Do you "need" a block heater, no, does it make sense to use one in cold climates, yes. Is it better to use one than not, yes. It's hard to believe anyone would suggest that we don't know how to start a tractor if it runs like crap without using the heater. I think by now we all know using the block heater when it's cold is a good idea, I prove that every time I start my tractor when it's cold. This thread has gone in the ditch.

 

[Snobdds]

A few years back, I parked my GC2610 out back away from electrical power for one winter. Anytime I tried to start it when below -5 C I ran the battery dead and had to jump it. When the block heater is plugged in for a couple of hours, it would start right away without using the glow plugs. All I know is what works for me.

If you can't get the tractor started, and proceed to kill the battery, when it's only -5C or 23F, then you're the problem...not the tractor.

 

[ray66v]

Tell us your secret and it had better not be ether .

I have posted it in numerous threads, including this one.

I do not use ether, or any other staring fluid.

It's not that difficult.

My wife has started ours.

 

[Egon]

If you can't get the tractor started, and proceed to kill the battery, when it's only -5C or 23F, then you're the problem...not the tractor.

The illusion of knowledge is only obscured by lack of knowledge!