Buying Advice Hesitant start normal for diesel? (real newbie here)

[Dan707]

I am shopping for my first tractor (on a budget). I know little to nothing about tractors. That said, I checked out a Ford 1910 (1984 with 700hrs). Seemed ok but was hesitant to start. Cranked and smoked for a bit, then rested, then cranked again and started. Once running sounded fine and no smoke. Was 70F today, very warm. I'm concerned there's an issue with the injectors. Is it just normal for it to not start right away even when warm outside?

Seems like a pretty good deal though: $9500 comes with FEL, box scraper with ripper, 5' tiller, loader forks and discer

 

[chim]

Welcome aboard! If you hopped on the tractor and twisted the key to start it like a car, the hesitant start was normal. I have the kid brother to that tractor (1210) and unless the engine is warm from running, I use the glow plugs. On mine the key is turned to the left and twisted past the spot where there is springy resistance. In warm weather it probably takes about 10-15 seconds in that position to make starting easier.

In cold weather I watch the glow indicator (small hole in dash to left of the steering wheel). The colder it is, the longer it takes. In very cold weather it may take 20 seconds or more. Never timed it. When it glows like toaster element, I crank it.

 

[kco]

+1 for using the glow plugs. I had a Kubota L275DT of about the same vintage and with the glow indicator as chim describes. Although in very good shape it did not start immediately, even in summer; and it was a bit of an art to get it going in the winter.

My present tractor, a DK35, starts immediately no matter what the temperature. It has automatic glow plugs which come on if the coolant temperature is a certain temperature (60 F ???) or below. They always operate for the 10 seconds or so, even in the summer. If I plug the tractor heater in the glow circuit does not automatically come on. I think it is because the water is heated near the sensor for the glow plugs. So in the winter, I manually activate the glow plugs as chim describes before starting the engine.

It sounds like your tractor is running fine so the injectors should be good.

 

[GrandLakeGAR]

I owned a 87 Ford 1920 (basically the same tractor) for 11 years, had 900+ hours when I sold it. Never used the glow plugs unless it was really cold. Always quick to start, actually faster than my present Mahindra 2815 that energizes the glow plugs when the key is turned on. You might have someone check the 1910 out before you buy it. Good luck.

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the forum from Alabama. Most all tractors will puff smoke when starting cold without warming the glow plug first. That is normal.

 

[texasjohn]

:welcome:, Yep, sounds normal assuming you used the glow plugs...I always do, even when temp is warm. If engine has been warmed up, glow plug light will go out very quickly.

 

[RalphVa]

Most diesels have glow plugs. Some have preheated air ducts. If used properly, they'll start instantly in any weather. I've started them @ -20 F outside. Started instantly after the proper amount of glowing and about 1/2 throttle down to start.

On modern tractors, there's usually a glow plug light on the dash. Don't turn to "start" until it goes out. On my JD 4010, it didn't have such a light; so, I just counted. Six seconds would start it in winter, going down to 2 seconds in the summer.

Only diesels I've owned that seem not to rattle and shake when they start is our Jetta TDI and our Isuzu generator. You cannot tell these are diesels when they start and run. The TDI drives like a race car, and the Isuzu starts with no shakes, no lingering smoke, nothing.

Ralph