Glow plugs...Have I been using them?

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Just got my 15th Kubota over the last 10 years. Not sure I've been using the glow plugs to start them, I don't think I have been.:confused2: I know someone that has been doing something for a long time and has had several should know how to do every thing but that's why I like this forum. I learn stuff here and sometimes I learn stuff some where else then post my learning in case there is possibly one other person that also didn't know.
I noticed my F2680 seemed to crank for a bit longer time before starting a couple of days ago. Hadn't started it in a few months since mowing season is over here but was starting it to move it for Barlows to pick it up. I turned key on until red light came on and let it set for 20 seconds, turned the key to engage starter and it cranked for a while.....I turned off, turned key till red light came on and let it set for another 20 seconds and then turned key till starter engaged and it started cranking. I turned key off and thought to myself that it had set for awhile and there had been some cold days and it was a bit cold but after 2 rounds of 20 second glow plug burning it should start quickly. I pondered the situation and thought to myself, maybe there is a spot between the red light coming on and actually cranking. Well, folks, there is another second red light that comes on when the key is turned past the first red light and another red light joins the first red light. I did about a 5 second hold with the 2 red lights on and engaged the starter and it started before I could get my hand off of the key.:cool2:
This morning I went to my tractor/mower garage to move my F3080 down the hill for Marvin from Barlows to pick up when he brought my new F3080. I turned the key on the F3080 past the first red light till 2 red lights came on for about 5 seconds. Turned key further till starter engaged and motor/engine started before I could get my hand off of the key and the F had not been started in over 2 months or there abouts.
Now I'm not going to say I never knew how to start the motors by using the glow plugs but...........either I've never known or have/had completely forgotten that I once knew. Guess here in Ky it has never really mattered that much because we don't usually have weather cold enough to freeze fuel but from now on I'll try and remember to get 2 red lights when I haven't started the machine in awhile or it's cold before turning the key to the engage starter position.
Wish I could think of some other things I don't know and should or need to know to tell you guys so youn's could give me the answers but I guess I'll have to get that from you later when I figure out more other things I don't know, if I really don't know it and had just forgotten.

 

[bp fick]

John, if I remember correctly, past the first red light is a yellow light bulb icon, I think. I'm not gonna go out and check, but that's the way I remember it. That little Sweet Spot of the second light, is where the glow plugs are allowed to do their thing. I might reach down beside my easy chair and pull out my manual to double check my memory, but then again, maybe not. It's about time for my afternoon nap.

 

[Don87]

Just got my 15th Kubota over the last 10 years. Not sure I've been using the glow plugs to start them, I don't think I have been.:confused2: I know someone that has been doing something for a long time and has had several should know how to do every thing but that's why I like this forum. I learn stuff here and sometimes I learn stuff some where else then post my learning in case there is possibly one other person that also didn't know.
I noticed my F2680 seemed to crank for a bit longer time before starting a couple of days ago. Hadn't started it in a few months since mowing season is over here but was starting it to move it for Barlows to pick it up. I turned key on until red light came on and let it set for 20 seconds, turned the key to engage starter and it cranked for a while.....I turned off, turned key till red light came on and let it set for another 20 seconds and then turned key till starter engaged and it started cranking. I turned key off and thought to myself that it had set for awhile and there had been some cold days and it was a bit cold but after 2 rounds of 20 second glow plug burning it should start quickly. I pondered the situation and thought to myself, maybe there is a spot between the red light coming on and actually cranking. Well, folks, there is another second red light that comes on when the key is turned past the first red light and another red light joins the first red light. I did about a 5 second hold with the 2 red lights on and engaged the starter and it started before I could get my hand off of the key.:cool2:
This morning I went to my tractor/mower garage to move my F3080 down the hill for Marvin from Barlows to pick up when he brought my new F3080. I turned the key on the F3080 past the first red light till 2 red lights came on for about 5 seconds. Turned key further till starter engaged and motor/engine started before I could get my hand off of the key and the F had not been started in over 2 months or there abouts.
Now I'm not going to say I never knew how to start the motors by using the glow plugs but...........either I've never known or have/had completely forgotten that I once knew. Guess here in Ky it has never really mattered that much because we don't usually have weather cold enough to freeze fuel but from now on I'll try and remember to get 2 red lights when I haven't started the machine in awhile or it's cold before turning the key to the engage starter position.
Wish I could think of some other things I don't know and should or need to know to tell you guys so youn's could give me the answers but I guess I'll have to get that from you later when I figure out more other things I don't know, if I really don't know it and had just forgotten.

They say the memory is the first thing to go.

Or is it the second?

I can't remember:confused3:

 

[crazyal]

Are the lights labeled? I would think that Kubota would use a "wait to start" lamp or something. I understand about the move to going to generic symbols for international use but they also need to make it easy for operating.

 

[BeezFun]

Mine won't start without glow plug, that's how I remember, and it still took me 2 or 3 times.

 

[texasjohn]

Lemme see if I got this right...you sold a running F3080 that had been sitting for over two months for a new F3080 Did you forget you had a F3080 in the garage, or did you just need one that didn't have dust on it??

This morning I went to my tractor/mower garage to move my F3080 down the hill for Marvin from Barlows to pick up when he brought my new F3080.

 

[Swiftriver]

Now thats some good stuff. Glad you shared with us. It's good to have a smile after a week like this.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John, if I remember correctly, past the first red light is a yellow light bulb icon, I think. I'm not gonna go out and check, but that's the way I remember it. That little Sweet Spot of the second light, is where the glow plugs are allowed to do their thing. I might reach down beside my easy chair and pull out my manual to double check my memory, but then again, maybe not. It's about time for my afternoon nap.

It's red on the F2680e and the F3080. I found it when I turned the key past the on position which also has a red light. It may be different colors on different models. I'll have to check on my Kubota RTV1140 and B2620.

Are the lights labeled? I would think that Kubota would use a "wait to start" lamp or something. I understand about the move to going to generic symbols for international use but they also need to make it easy for operating.

Turn key one position and red light comes on. If one looks and turns one more position then another light comes on with some kind of symbol but I never looked when I turned key or when I thought I was going for flow plugs I was turning till first red light came on, waited, then turned key to engage starter without ever looking or turning to the next light and waiting before engaging starter motor.[
QUOTE=texasjohn;3107076]Lemme see if I got this right...you sold a running F3080 that had been sitting for over two months for a new F3080 Did you forget you had a F3080 in the garage, or did you just need one that didn't have dust on it??[/QUOTE]

I did NOT sell a running F3080. I traded in a F2680e 2wd 60" deck with 115 hours to a new F3080 4wd 72" deck. The F2680 is at my rental property near Barlows on the west side of Barlows. Marvin picked it up this morning and took it to Barlows since they now own it. He then delivered my new Christmas present from myself to me here at my home 5 miles east of the Barlows dealership. OK, I needed my old (June 2010) F3080 72" deck that I've been using here checked and then delivered to my rental property about a mile west of Barlows dealership. So, Marvin brought my new F3080 here to me at home and took my used F3080 72" deck to Barlows to check a steering issue and then I'll pick it up and take it the rest of the way (1 mile) to my rental property to use it there.

 

[kuboman]

It's red on the F2680e and the F3080. I found it when I turned the key past the on position which also has a red light. It may be different colors on different models. I'll have to check on my Kubota RTV1140 and B2620.

Turn key one position and red light comes on. If one looks and turns one more position then another light comes on with some kind of symbol but I never looked when I turned key or when I thought I was going for flow plugs I was turning till first red light came on, waited, then turned key to engage starter without ever looking or turning to the next light and waiting before engaging starter motor.[
QUOTE=texasjohn;3107076]Lemme see if I got this right...you sold a running F3080 that had been sitting for over two months for a new F3080 Did you forget you had a F3080 in the garage, or did you just need one that didn't have dust on it??

I did NOT sell a running F3080. I traded in a F2680e 2wd 60" deck with 115 hours to a new F3080 4wd 72" deck. The F2680 is at my rental property near Barlows on the west side of Barlows. Marvin picked it up this morning and took it to Barlows since they now own it. He then delivered my new Christmas present from myself to me here at my home 5 miles east of the Barlows dealership. OK, I needed my old (June 2010) F3080 72" deck that I've been using here checked and then delivered to my rental property about a mile west of Barlows dealership. So, Marvin brought my new F3080 here to me at home and took my used F3080 72" deck to Barlows to check a steering issue and then I'll pick it up and take it the rest of the way (1 mile) to my rental property to use it there. [/QUOTE]

Are you sure you haven't forgotten a Kubota or 2 somewhere?:laughing:

 

[texasjohn]

Johnthomas, I knew I was confused somewhere along the way...got it straighter,now...I dunno how you keep all of your Kubota's in mind.

I paid particular attention a short while ago when I ran my Grand L5030 to put out hay. It has a red light with a coiled filament element in it signifying the glow plugs are on...then it goes out...meaning it is warm enough to start.
Turning the key further turns on other lights, including a red oil light which goes out when the engine starts and oil pressure builds. That's how it is with my tractor.

My RTV 1140 (LOVE IT) has a single red light that turns on indicating the glow plug, but the manual says to wait just a second or so, the go ahead and turn key to start engine. I don't see a "second" light on the 1140, either.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

John, if I remember correctly, past the first red light is a yellow light bulb icon, I think. I'm not gonna go out and check, but that's the way I remember it. That little Sweet Spot of the second light, is where the glow plugs are allowed to do their thing. I might reach down beside my easy chair and pull out my manual to double check my memory, but then again, maybe not. It's about time for my afternoon nap.

That's how it is on the BX.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Both my Kubotas (B26 and RTV900) have the first click on the key switch that energizes the system, second click energizes the glow plugs and lights up the little filament looking indicator and third energizes the starter motor. It really isnt a detent after the first one that turns on the electrical system just a position. The key switch has the same little icons on it as the dash panel to indicate what position the key is in, I suppose that is so you can tell even if the bulbs go out in the dash.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Both my Kubotas (B26 and RTV900) have the first click on the key switch that energizes the system, second click energizes the glow plugs and lights up the little filament looking indicator and third energizes the starter motor. It really isnt a detent after the first one that turns on the electrical system just a position. The key switch has the same little icons on it as the dash panel to indicate what position the key is in, I suppose that is so you can tell even if the bulbs go out in the dash.

\\

OK, I've now checked my currently owned 4 Kubotas. All are the same. The B2620 and the 2 F3080s and the RTV1140. Put the key in, turn one position and red light comes on and the key will stay in this poition if you let go of it, turn key further to the right and a 2nd red light comes on and if you let go of the key it will not stay in this position but will go back to the one red light on position. Hold key in second position which has 2 red lights on for about 5 seconds and then turn key to the right which engages the starter and doing this makes mine all start immediately. Same thing Gary says. I will now be a glow plug user when it's cold or haven't started my Kubotas in awhile. Guess I'm not to old to learn something I thought I already knew.

 

[rrrkkk]

on my New Holland you turn the key backwards the glow plug symbol will light on the dashboard, when it goes off (5 to 8 seconds) then it will star on the first crank.

 

[azbinder]

When the key is turned to the first, or RUN position, the "red" oil pressure light comes on. The second position, or first spring loaded position is the glow plug ON position, and the "amber" indicator light comes on. The third position, or second spring loaded position is the START position. Once the engine starts and the key is allowed to return the first or RUN position, both the "RED" and "AMBER" lights go out. All three of your Kubota's are started in the same way. The Grand L tractors uses a timer on the glow plugs that shuts of after a few seconds, but the BX, B, RTV, and F series all must be manually pre heated by holding the key in the first spring loaded position.
Depending on how cold it is depends on how long it is necessary to hold it on. As a general rule, I advise my customers to hold the key and count to about 10. You may need to hold it longer if it is still needs to be spun more than three or four times before it starts.
Hope this helps.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

GARY FOWLER
Both my Kubotas (B26 and RTV900) have the first click on the key switch that energizes the system, second click energizes the glow plugs and lights up the little filament looking indicator and third energizes the starter motor. It really isnt a detent after the first one that turns on the electrical system just a position. The key switch has the same little icons on it as the dash panel to indicate what position the key is in, I suppose that is so you can tell even if the bulbs go out in the dash.

\\

OK, I've now checked my currently owned 4 Kubotas. All are the same. The B2620 and the 2 F3080s and the RTV1140. Put the key in, turn one position and red light comes on and the key will stay in this poition if you let go of it, turn key further to the right and a 2nd red light comes on and if you let go of the key it will not stay in this position but will go back to the one red light on position. Hold key in second position which has 2 red lights on for about 5 seconds and then turn key to the right which engages the starter and doing this makes mine all start immediately. Same thing Gary says. I will now be a glow plug user when it's cold or haven't started my Kubotas in awhile. Guess I'm not to old to learn something I thought I already knew.

When the key is turned to the first, or RUN position, the "red" oil pressure light comes on. The second position, or first spring loaded position is the glow plug ON position, and the "amber" indicator light comes on. The third position, or second spring loaded position is the START position. Once the engine starts and the key is allowed to return the first or RUN position, both the "RED" and "AMBER" lights go out. All three of your Kubota's are started in the same way. The Grand L tractors uses a timer on the glow plugs that shuts of after a few seconds, but the BX, B, RTV, and F series all must be manually pre heated by holding the key in the first spring loaded position.
Depending on how cold it is depends on how long it is necessary to hold it on. As a general rule, I advise my customers to hold the key and count to about 10. You may need to hold it longer if it is still needs to be spun more than three or four times before it starts.
Hope this helps.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: It seems three of us have agreed on Kubota BX, B, F and RTV glow plug use and starting procedure without having to use the owners manual, don't know what it says and now don't care. We have a consensus of owners, sellers and users from actual experience from several states. Look for the second red (Amber for the color blind:laughing light, hold it for a few seconds and then proceed to lift off, uh start!:cool2:
I don't think any new or unknowing TBN viewer will find a more definate input of solid information concerning a topic thread on the TBN forum than this.:laughing: :drink: :cool2:

 

[Bluegill2]

Neither of my two Kubotas crank that way. Both have to have the key turned to the left (counter clockwise) and held for glow plug, then right (clockwise) to crank. I rarely use the glow plugs...

 

[lreops]

Neither of my two Kubotas crank that way. Both have to have the key turned to the left (counter clockwise) and held for glow plug, then right (clockwise) to crank. I rarely use the glow plugs...

Ditto to what he said, my turns to the left also, all except that I usually always have to use mine. Haven't decided yet whether that's a problem within itself.

Ron

 

[kuboman]

The older Kubotas use the left turn on the key. New models use the second position to the left for the GP.

 

[Bluegill2]

The older Kubotas use the left turn on the key. New models use the second position to the left for the GP.

My brand new L3800 uses the left turn on the key.