Kubota Gas vs Kubota Diesel engine option

[Sawyer Rob]

My diesel mowers get work done faster for one reason... more torque at lower rpm's...

In the tough spots, they power right through at a faster ground speed, even though the rpm's have slowed a bit and they do it on half the fuel cost over the gas engines I USE TO USE.

SR

 

[buickanddeere]

Half the fuel costs, how do you figure that ?
Mowers cut better at full rated rpms. Be they either Gas or diesel, slow down the travel speed to prevent over loading the mower .

 

[ChiefBodie]

Turn on the glow plugs to keep it from stalling .

Where is the manual glow plug switch on my Ventrac 4500Y?

 

[buickanddeere]

What turns on the glow plugs prior to starting ? The D1105 in our RTV1140’s has a spring loaded mid position to energize the flowplugs and their dash light . If the ignition key is held half way between start and run. Otherwise the engines stall about a second after making a winter start .

 

[Industrial Toys]

The Steiner 430 has a lamp. But it's for timing purposes only as a guide. The light goes out but the heater will stay on with the key held in the HEAT position. Sometimes I give it two lights worth.

 

[ChiefBodie]

The D1105 in our RTV1140’s has a spring loaded mid position ...

The Ventrac doesn't operate like your D1105 or RTV. So that is not going to help but thank you anyway.

The Ventrac automatically activates the glow plugs on first turn of the ignition. No special positions required. After about 4 seconds it goes out. I believe most operators turn the key, wait for the glow plug light to go out, start, and then have an engine that will run and not die. Not me.

I've tried cycling the switch on/off several times before turning the engine over to start and that seems to help. Giving it several glow plug cycles before cranking. But it is still cold blooded and sometimes needs at least several tries before it will start and stay running.

Any other thoughts from those with experience operating Ventrac diesels? I did not see any air bubbles in the fuel lines / filter / water separator.

 

[DK35vince]

The Ventrac doesn't operate like your D1105 or RTV. So that is not going to help but thank you anyway.

The Ventrac automatically activates the glow plugs on first turn of the ignition. No special positions required. After about 4 seconds it goes out. I believe most operators turn the key, wait for the glow plug light to go out, start, and then have an engine that will run and not die. Not me.

I've tried cycling the switch on/off several times before turning the engine over to start and that seems to help. Giving it several glow plug cycles before cranking. But it is still cold blooded and sometimes needs at least several tries before it will start and stay running..

When you turn the key on, when engine is cold are you getting power to the glow plugs ?
I had the glow plug timer go bad in my tractor and it would not power the glow plugs. (glow plug light on the dash would come on, but no power to the glow plugs)

 

[ChiefBodie]

It would seem an odd circuit that illuminates the glow plug indicator on the dash but does not power the glow plugs. But it is an excellent suggestion of something to check and I will do that.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

It would seem an odd circuit that illuminates the glow plug indicator on the dash but does not power the glow plugs. But it is an excellent suggestion of something to check and I will do that.

The only way that the glow-plug indicator could conclusively signify that current is flowing through the glow plugs would be if the glow-plug indicator and the glow plugs were all wired in series, and that would be an odd circuit indeed.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I Love (old School) Diesel Engines. I must say though, that the Steiner I had with the Gas Kubota Engine. was one sweet and smooth running gasser unlike the diesel.

I wonder if those like me that love our diesels give them the benefit of the doubt over gassers because we just love them so much.