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.

 

[Billrog]

Mine recycles every time i turn the key off and back on again.

 

[Raul-02]

rick to start a diesel engine in such extreme temperatures

I hd an older Benz when I lives north of Bangor Maine. I fixed hose from my water heater went out and used that to heat the engine. Did that a for a while and then installed a blockheater. The block heater was just the ticket.
The ice rink for driveway was a PITA

 

[SylvainG]

Today it was -5C and with just one cycle of the glow plugs (8 seconds), it did start on the first turn of the engine, so I think my glow plugs are working. Tractor starts at -20C too, it's just when below -30C that it doesn't want to start. I turns, gray smoke comes out from the muffler but no ignition. Someone mention to keep turning the engine but I was told (well for gas engine), that it's not good for the starter as it heats up. But at -30C, should that be an issue? If my battery can keep turning the engine, can I keep the switch on Start until it starts or drain the battery trying?

 

[SylvainG]

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

That tractor is from 2010 and knows nothing of a 'computer'. It's even an indirect injection without DPF regen. Almost as basic as it can get.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

That tractor is from 2010 and knows nothing of a 'computer'. It's even an indirect injection without DPF regen. Almost as basic as it can get.

I saw a video of a guy starting an older Case diesel that had no glow plugs and no block heater. He temporarily removed an air filter to intake air tube at the manifold and used a propane torch when cranking. The warm air helped the engine get the engine warm enough to start to ignite the diesel. No really practical with a cab tractor though. My old Ford won't start at temps below 20 Fahrenheit and I was going to give it a try, but it warmed up into the mid 20s and it started. It now stays in the warm garage.

 

[SylvainG]

Won't the propane torch burn the oxygen and just end up ingesting CO instead? Not that I want to try this lol.

 

[Billrog]

Today it was -5C and with just one cycle of the glow plugs (8 seconds), it did start on the first turn of the engine, so I think my glow plugs are working. Tractor starts at -20C too, it's just when below -30C that it doesn't want to start. I turns, gray smoke comes out from the muffler but no ignition. Someone mention to keep turning the engine but I was told (well for gas engine), that it's not good for the starter as it heats up. But at -30C, should that be an issue? If my battery can keep turning the engine, can I keep the switch on Start until it starts or drain the battery trying?

When it's -20 or colder if you use some kind of elec. heater next to your injection pump for a 1/2 hr. or so , or heat gun it will start much easier. Far better than burning out your starter. Where you with those temps. install a block or circulating heater.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Won't the propane torch burn the oxygen and just end up ingesting CO instead? Not that I want to try this lol.

The propane torch will produce CO like you say but there will be enough O2 sucked in with the warm air to support combustion.

 

[Billrog]

I've used a 10' piece of stove pipe with an elbow under the oil pan with a tiger torch at the other end when there was elec. where my backhoe was parked. @ -30 may take 1/2 hr. or more depending on wind.

 

[pmsmechanic]

The propane torch will produce CO like you say but there will be enough O2 sucked in with the warm air to support combustion.

I should add to this that diesel engines can run incredibly lean. I just did a quick search and the air/fuel ratio on a diesel can run from 2:1 at full load to 100:1 at an idle. Since a diesel engine is not running at full throttle when it starts there is lots of O2 there to support combustion.