Video - Starting up the 155D

[graysonh]

Hi all, I thought I'd post a video of starting up my new-ish 155D and see if there was any feedback from the incredibly helpful folks here. I've been having some blow by here and there but it's not as bad as I thought, and I haven't even been able to get any on video even though I've tried (so that's good, I guess). There isn't any blow by when the tractor starts up.

When I got the tractor it was unhappy when starting. I changed the fuel and added cetane and ever since then it's been easy. In the video you'll see I don't use the decompression, it's because my ignition switch is stripped out at the dashboard and I have to hold it with my left hand. I have the throttle at about 1/2 to 2/3 forward. It's been warm here in the foothills lately as you can see by my attire (sorry!). It's a cold start btw

Do you all think that if the PTO system was out of wack that it could cause the tractor to work harder overall and get more "tired" than it should? I ask because as I've been mowing, it doesn't like going uphill. It doesn't seem to matter whether the grass is tall or short or what gear I'm in. It just doesn't like running the PTO uphill. That's when I'll get any blow by that I've seen. I haven't changed the hydraulic fluid yet and I haven't measured to see if the PTO speed is true either.

Okay, sorry for the rambling post. Here's the video (if I can get it to work)
CUCQ9257[1] on Vimeo

 

[clemsonfor]

That PTO should turn no matter what, you will be slower when mowing up hill no matter what because just turning the mower puts a load on the tractor and then keeping that load going uphill is even more work and you have a small tractor already.

I haven't watched the video yet

Other comments

Yes an old clogged filter will make it harder to start and starve for power and fuel.
Easiest way to see blowby is in direct afternoon sun and get the tube right in the sun and have it hit the blowby/smoke at just the right angle to see it.

 

[winston1]

Just a little start up smoke, no oil smoke visible. Keep on keeping on.

Up and down hills should have no effect on the pto. Does have an effect on pulling the tractor.

 

[California]

I saw high sensitivity to going uphill mowing with both the YM240 and the YM186D. It seems like the mower doesn't leave any reserve for pulling weight uphill.

In fact that is where I reduced the water ballast in the oversize rear tires of the YM240 from 90% (reached upper edge of rim) to 50%, the tractor felt too heavy mowing uphill.

 

[graysonh]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback. Especially to hear it's normal, which helps the operator to relax. I guess rice paddies are pretty flat after all....

Not trying to be a worrywart about the tractor, just trying to get to know its character and idiosyncrasies. This site has been incredibly helpful!

I took the mower off last night for the first time and swapped out for the Howard rotavator to prep the new garden bed. I have never used a tractor tiller before, whole new learning curve! In the vineyard we use discs, plows, and cultivators but no tillers. The soil is rock hard clay. I am going to "spade" it by hand with a shovel first, I think. Otherwise it'll be 15 passes and the top layer will be shot.

Thanks again

 

[California]

I wonder if you could rip first with box-blade rippers to at least break up grass roots.

 

[graysonh]

That would be great. Unfortunately all I've got that comes anywhere close is a spring tooth / drag harrow and i don't think it's got enough weight. Just did a quick check of the rental shop nearby and they said they don't have one.

 

[treedawg]

Much smoother starting than my YM2000.

I have to hold the key in the start position for a few extra seconds before the engine catches for lack of a better description.

td

 

[California]

For a comparison here's my YM240 (YM2000) 50 degree cold start video/sound file that I originally posted to illustrate the normal 'Yanmar Hammer' crude racket.

This was before I replaced the slow mismatched 'rebuilt' starter that was on it and eventually replaced the battery. It needed the compression released to crank past the first compression stroke. (I still use that starting technique to reduce strain on the battery and starter).

You hear the engine spin up with compression released then fire on the third TDC. Today 12 years later with starter, battery, and eventually the injectors replaced it spins faster but starting is about the same. It cranks faster (better battery and starter) and fires off on usually the second compression TDC cold or first TDC when warm.

 

[clemsonfor]

I wonder if you could rip first with box-blade rippers to at least break up grass roots.

I have done this, it works, also if you have a field cultivator or spring tooth harrow you can rip it.