Glow Plugs Don't Turn Off

[bob19]

I have a 5 year old Kubota B2910 and a 3 year old Kubota GR2100. I bought them both new and the glow plugs have NEVER turned off on either of them.

I usually turn the key to the pre-heat position for 12 seconds and then turn to "on". In cold weather, I use more time in pre-heat, sometimes 25-30 seconds. Am I keeping it in the pre-heat position too long? My dealer didn't seem to offer any suggestions.

Hopefully I haven't damaged the glow plugs by having them on too long. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Bob

 

[coreshot]

So you're saying that the yellow light indicating that the plugs are warming stays on constantly after the tractor starts?

 

[KeithInSpace]

Mr. Coreshot: I think his question has to do with how long he pre-heats the glow plugs and if the 12 to 30 second duration is acceptable or otherwise doing any damage.

I agree, in the first line he seems to say that he's never turned the glow plugs off. Of course, that shouldn't be the case...they are only active when you have the key in that particular detent...not before. They're not functioning when the tractor is running and certainly (hopefully) not when it is off. I figure the dead batteries would get to be a real bore!

To the OP: I don't know that it is imperative to keep the plugs in pre-heat for 30 seconds. Of course, "cold" means something different to each of us. In Florida, it may mean "When you stop wearing shorts", or ~58 degrees. In Virginia, it's about 38 degrees...that's when I say it's "cold". In Maine, might be 0 degrees. Those freakin' North Dakota'ns probably swim in their pools to minus 20. Don't even ask the Alaskans.

Point being: I pre-heat 5 seconds in the summer and 10 seconds in the winter (gussing on durations), but I keep my tractor in a garage that doesn't get below 40 degrees.

 

[DavidAubke]

I've never held the glow plugs on long enough to see that light extinguish on its own. 30 seconds is it? I've probably never held it that long.

 

[bob19]

Although the manual says the glow plug light will go out when the engine is warm enough to start, my lights NEVER go out.

 

[bob19]

I didn't really make myself clear in my original message: I am just guessing as to when to "start" the engine. I use 12 seconds usually. During those 12 seconds, the glow plug light is "on". If I held it in the pre-heat position for 45 seconds, the glow plug light would still be "on".

 

[coreshot]

OK, I get it now. I have never seen mine go dark before starting either. They probably aren't made to go out if you have the key in that position. My Ford diesel has a 'wait to start' light that goes out when the plugs have warmed suficiently, but Kubotas aren't that way. I have never held mine over about 10 seconds, and it always fires right up. I only do it about 5 seconds during the summer. I dont think you can hurt them by holding them longer, but there's really no need if they fire up for you.

 

[Matt_Jr]

There is no timer on your tractor that turns off the glow plugs or light like on a pickup truck. Once when it was about 7 degrees Fahrenheit outside I held them on for 15 seconds, like usual, and it didn't start. It only cranked. Then another 10 seconds. It rumbled a bit, but stalled. Then I held it on for 30 straight seconds, and finally started. Be careful your key chain doesn't get caught on the dash. Mine did, and I couldn't figure out why the light wouldn't go out at first. Took me a few second, but no damage done. I think somewhere in my manual it says something like 20-30 seconds should be good.

 

[gyro433]

Bob,

I have a 2009 B2320 and my manual says the light stays on as long as the engine is pre-heated (key is on pre-heat). It recommends the following pre-heat times based on outside temperature.

Over 0 C (32 deg F) ---- 2 to 3 secs
0 to -5 C (32 to 23 F) ---- 5 secs
-5 to -15 C (23 to 5 F) ----- 10 secs

I agree with the other posters I have never seen the light go out. It's design differently than my Diesel truck.

Here is a good link for Kubota cold weather starting tips

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2008/12/cold-weather-starting-tips/

Gyro

 

[bob19]

Gentlemen: Thanks very much for your quick response. I now understand what to do. The worst thing I have to do is tell my wife I was wrong in telling her she had to pre-heat the GR2100 for at least 12 seconds, no matter how warm outside it was. (That will hurt a little)

Gyro: Thanks for the Kubota link. That was good.

I think I learn something every time I read something on Tractor By Net. Thanks again.

Bob