Starting a tractor in extreme cold temperatures

[the old grind]

Re: What it means when that light comes on ...

View attachment 731940

That buying a block heater was a waste of money.

 

[oosik]

When we lived in Alaska - lower radiator hose tank heaters were the only thing we ever used. YES - they do circulate the water. When operating they will sound very much like an old percolator coffee pot.

 

[Oaktree]

When we lived in Alaska - lower radiator hose tank heaters were the only thing we ever used. YES - they do circulate the water. When operating they will sound very much like an old percolator coffee pot.

Typically, that's what's used in generators too, at least the ones I'm responsible for. Heater isn't in the radiator hose, it seems to be a specially plumbed line that utilizes heater lines (many generators use auto engines). They're quite effective.

 

[JBF43]

So for two weekends in a row, I was unable to start the tractor with temperature around -35C. Had to wait for the temperature to be a 'mild' -20C for it to start.

I have a 300W heater on the cooling line and installed last weekend a battery tender. The heater is turned on for about two to three hours prior to the attempts at starting it. The tender stays 24/7.

What I do is 4 cycles of 8 seconds glow plug and try to start it. At first, because of the battery tender, it turns pretty good but fails to start. Grey smoke comes out but that's it. I do a few more cycles of the glow plugs and it still fails to start. I crank for about 5 seconds each time. After about 5 or 6 attempts, battery is having difficulty turning the engine so I stop and let the temperature warm up. At -20C, after about 3 cycles of the glow plugs, the engine fires no problem.

What's the trick to start a diesel engine in such extreme temperatures?

Thanks

Something you might want to try: Amazon has a variety of Electric Dipstick heaters that slide in where your oil dipstick goes. Just plug it in and it transfers heat straight to the oil itself. Will help to thin that really thick oil somewhat. That and a good block heater right in the block should get you going.

 

[Saucymynx]

This:

Radiator Hose Heater 1-1/4" 600 Watt

Is the style of lower radiator hose heater I was referring to. There is no "circulation" happening inside the heater unit. It is only a heater element that "wraps" around the coolant passage.

I think THIS:

Circulating Coolant Heater 1000 Watt 120 Volt

This must be the type of heater you are referring to? I have never seen one of these in the field. Never knew THIS style existed until I just now searched for it.

What the OP (and I) have been referring to is the first one. The heater that goes in the line of the lower radiator hose. My description of how this type heater works stands.

I just had this exact circulating coolant heater installed on my gas IH 656. Several days ago it was 15°F below zero and I plug this in for about three hours. Initially only the outflow coolant line was warm but after three hours not only was the output and input line warm but the entire block was warm. It clearly circulated throughout the engine. While not a diesel, it certainly fired up very quickly. It undoubtedly circulates since there is no other way the entire block would be warm if it didn’t

 

[tractortroof]

Move to Florida, sorry couldn’t resist

 

[Egon]

Something you might want to try: Amazon has a variety of Electric Dipstick heaters that slide in where your oil dipstick goes. Just plug it in and it transfers heat straight to the oil itself. Will help to thin that really thick oil somewhat. That and a good block heater right in the block should get you going.

The dipstick heater is worthless at -35C

 

[nyone]

Glow it longer by alot and dont give up cracking it. Just getting the engine turning and the plugs hot are taking alot of power.

 

[SylvainG]

Won't that be hard on the starter?

 

[dadster4]

I can't. The glow plug light will automatically turn off after 8 seconds, even when manually switched to the Glow position. It's a 2010 Kioti LK30.

I think you must wait 30 seconds between glow plug cycles for the computer to reset.