Cold weather starting procedure

[NewToy]

I was wondering if there are any procedures to follow for "cold start" other than hitting the glo-plugs for 10-20 seconds? I have a FarmTrac which has a Daedong engine and the FarmTrac manual is very limited in content. Is there a reccomended throttle setting for warm up? Also, how about length of warm up time? I have been starting at idle and then bump it up to 1400-1500 RPM and let her warm up for 10-15 minutes when it's real cold (10-15 degrees F). I appreciate any info.

Thanks
John

 

[George2615]

I had a cold starting problem with my Mahindra last winter (1st winter on new tractor). My glow plugs come on with the key switch for about 3 seconds then you're supposed to start it. In temps. below 20 deg. F the tractor would crank for a long time then sputter to life and run very rough. A few times it didn't even start. I had to turn on my salamander heater and blow heat under it for about 10 minutes then it started. My cure was to install a lower radiator hose heater. I drained the radiator, cut the lower hose and installed the heater with hose clamps and refilled. It cost me about $25 at the local auto parts store. I leave it plugged in during cold weather and for the few cents in electric it costs it was worth it. It keeps the coolant temp. about 130-140 deg.F and starts up immediately and runs smoothly. I start it at idle speed then bump it up to 1200-1500 for a few minutes to circulate the tranny lube.

Another problem I had was fuel would gel up with cold temps. causing the engine to run then stall, start again run then stall again. I started using Power Service fuel additive to prevent gelling and that problem was solved too.

Hope this helps.

George

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have been starting at idle and then bump it up to 1400-1500 RPM and let her warm up for 10-15 minutes when it's real cold (10-15 degrees F). )</font>

John,
Sounds like the procedures you are using now are fine..

 

[NewToy]

I figured that was probably OK. I got those procedures from one of the JD online manuals. It has always started fine, runs a little rough for a few seconds then smooths right out. The FarmTrac manual just says hit the glo-plugs and thats it. They don't say anything about bumping the RPM's up or any warm up time. I gleaned that from the JD manual.

Thanks,

John

 

[TractorLegend]

My CK30HST has been parked for 3 months with a full tank of then fresh diesel and PowerService additive. It fired right up with nary a glitch---I always let the temp at least come up to the lower notch while running at 12-1500 rpm before working.
My storage methods may not be ideal but I recommend fuel additive to everyone.

 

[Youare]

My tractor has a block heater when it is below 20 degrees F I plug it in for 30 minutes or so which makes a huge difference.
Using the glow plugs for 5 - 10 seconds is very helpful at the 20 degree and below temperature.

Some tractor manufacturers recommend starting with the throtle in the wide open position, I can't bring myself to do that. I start in the lowest throtle position then after 5 or 10 seconds bump it up to 1100 RPM and let it warm up.

Randy

 

[aosbill]

Whenever I start my CK20HST in the cold temps, I start by turning the key to glow plug position. Wait for light to go out, crank, and starts right up but a little sputtery. As soon as the starter diengages, I then turn the key again to the glow plug position and hold for a count of about three seconds. The engine immediately responds to the glow plug warm up and starts to run smooth. I let it warm up at least 15 minutes with the clutch out parking brake on. I warm it up at about 1200 rpms. As soon as I get on the tractor, I immediately operate the hydraulics/FL up and down all the way to get the cold oil into the system to warm the oil up. Works for me.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

My big thing is to get the engine warmed up quickly, and to me that means giving it as much fuel as I can, as soon as I can.

In cold weather (or warm weather too, come to think of it), I just wait til the glow plug light goes off then start her up, then slowly up the idle up to about 1500 over the course of 15-30 seconds. Of course, my Amsoil 10W-30 gives me good assurance that I have a nice film going. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Then as soon as I have 1 bar (out of 4), I take off at about 1,800-2,000 to warm her up quickly, start working the loader to help get the hydro fluid warming, and start working the machine at about 2,300 as soon as I have 4 bars.

The thread To idle or shut-off: Which is best? is a good read, up until Russell and I start to go at it anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif (We're now good buddies). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I just don't like to let my engine idle for longer than it needs to, and figure that a warm engine is a happy engine. It really does take a lot longer to reach operating temp at lower engine speeds, plus the combustion is a lot less efficient during that time. YMMV of course.

 

[NewToy]

I can see where that synthetic oil gets things slick a lot faster than conventional 15/40 in the cold. Last year I changed the oil in my Powerstroke in the dead of winter using Rotella as usual. The oil was stored in the unheated garage and I was shocked at how thick it was pouring it out. I use synthetic Rotella in the tractor and use the block heater on the p/u.

 

[TractorLegend]

Yes I forgot that chestnut of information I my post.
I also have RedLine synthetic 10-40 in my Kioti.
It's hard to expect good performance if you are trying to get a sump full of congealed Aunt Jemima (dinosaur oil) flowing through its arteries on a cold weather start up.

www.redlineoil.com