BX - Cold start and Snowblower Oiling

Anonymous Poster · Jan 6, 2001

A couple of questions about about my BX2200 and snowblower:
1. At what temps should a BX2200 start without NEEDING the use of the block heater. A block heater was installed at the 50hr maint. I had been told, "the tractor's in an unheated garage, you probably don't need a heater above zero F." When it was around 20F, I couldn't start the BX without the block heater.

2. Oiling the chain on the BX snowblower - any tips?
I just bought an old "tin man" oil can so I can drip chainsaw bar oil onto the chain "after each operation".
How much? Anybody hear of an automatic drip oiler for use during operation?
....Rich S.

Thomas · Jan 6, 2001

Rich S.
My rule of thumb about 15 above I plug in the heater block for 2 or 3 hours,and it does give the engine that little extra punch after setting for days.

I haven't heard of anyone useing automatic drip oiler on a snowblower,just keep it well oiled so the road salt etc...doesn't start to rust your chain and maybe spray lube for those hard to reach places.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

gerard · Jan 6, 2001

Rich,
I also store my L2500 in an unheated garage. While I never had a problem starting it with the glow plugs I plug in the block heater anytime it's been below 20F just because I feel 1. it's much better for the engine, 2. warm up time is cut down to a few minutes to get up to operating temp, and 3. It's too easy NOT to do. (I usually plug into a timer so it comes on a few hours before I get home from work which is when I plow. I also bought a "thermo cube" from Northern tool which is a plug interface that has a built in thermostat. It comes on below 20deg and shuts off above 30deg. This way you could leave it plugged in all the time and it wouldn't be "on" all the time since the less expensive block heaters don't have an internal thermostat like my backhoe does.

JonSpinosa · Jan 6, 2001

Rich,
I also have a BX2200 with snowblower and store it in an unheated gareage in Syracuse, New York. As we know, whoever had a BX2200 in Syracuse gave it a good workout so far this year.

Everytime I start it, I am amazed on how quickly and easily it starts!!! However, I do have a secret!!! The secret is that I use the year round formula of Stanadyne diesel fuel conditioner. Anyone who does not use an excellent quality diesel fuel conditioner shoud be convicted of tractor abuse!!HA HA!!!! In a nutshell, the Stanadyne diesel fuel conditioner raises the cetane in the diesel oil and gives you easier starts, plus the advantage of increasing the sulfur in the diesel to improve lubricity in the fuel injection system, thus preventing premature failure, and acting as an anti-gel. Believe me, use Stanadyne, I use it in all of my Kubota equipment.

As far as oiling of the chain, my manual says to oil every 4 hours and after each use. I think after each use is too excessive. The manaul also says to use chainsaw oil. Which is very tacky to adhere to the chain.
Hope this helps!!

Anonymous Poster · Jan 6, 2001

20 has been the lowest I've had to start my BX. I have to give it 10 seconds of glow plug for it to start at that temp.

Mike

TomG · Jan 7, 2001

I tend to use the block heater for about an hour if the temperature is 15F - 25F and two to three hours if it's colder. There is some thinking that short time on the heater in fairly moderate temperatures reduced engine wear during startup. I know that the initial engine knocking is less if I use the heater.

For chain oiling, I just use a spray product I got from a tractor dealer. I didn't like the spray stuff I got at an automotive store.

garyny · Jan 11, 2001

Rich... I don't know if this will help, but it's worth a try
Find a G2000 thats in bad shape (I've seen one... the owner should have been shot) and take the gas engine out and replace the deisel in yours. It's quieter and starts a lot easier. Mine is great.... Always starts up here in Northern
New York.

Pks · Jan 12, 2001

Rich,

For off season maintainance of your snow blower chain, consider a dirt bike racer's trick. Warm the chain in the oven. For chains with O-rings use about 150 degrees F for chains without O-rings use 200 degrees F. Then immediately immerse it in the recommended chain lube (chainsaw bar oil is good because it's tacky). Leave the chain in the oil bath until it's cool enough to pick it up with your fingers.

The warmth of the chain pins will draw the oil inside the chain and into the small spaces between the pins and rollers. This *will* help the chain last longer. This method effectively doubles the life of my racing chains. But as was mentioned in a previous post, you still have to keep it clean of road salts and surface rust.

Peter