i know it's reality...

[mike69440]

Gelled Fuel or dead battery is usually the only thing that keeps older Kubota's from starting, i'm not sure about tier 4.

 

[bamboozled]

Some of us with the Max28's are having a similar issue, there is a thread going on the subject.

As mentioned, try ignoring the glow plug light. Turn the key to on and leave it on for two minutes, then see if it will start.

I'm going to leave mine outside this weekend and perform this test myself. I typically do the cycle on/cycle off thing watching the light, but one time I left the key on and walked away for a few minutes doing something else when it was failing to start. I probably cycled the glow plug light 10 times and still no start. Came back and turned the key and it fired right up. Not sure if it was a coincidence and it just decided to start then, or if the glow plugs were on all that time despite the light/timer going out.

 

[BlackOps]

thanks for everyone - it is tier 3 - i did not want 4. bamboozled - i will try it. thanks!

 

[oldpilgrim]

Is it where you can plug in a trickle charger for the battery? This will keep the battery warm and you'll be surprised how much better it will turn over when the battery is warm and has a full charge. Cold will rob the battery of about 50% of it's power.

Also synthetic engine oil will help.

Glow plugs:
Turn on the key and wait until the glow plug light goes out. Turn key off and repeat a couple more times. Then try starting. This works for a lot of people.

 

[DavesTractor]

Where I am in CA it doesn't get much below freezing, so I have little real experience. 25 degrees here is cold. But as mentioned, a battery has way less power in cold temps, yet the engine oil is thicker and the trans fluid is thicker so it needs more power just when it has less.

I'd first make sure all the glow plugs are working. If so, a block heater set on a timer should do the trick. I have family in Fairbanks, AK. They typically have a battery blanket, a coolant heater, and a pan heater to warm the oil. Plug these in to a timer, and the engine thinks it's in Hawaii.

Of course fuel will gel if untreated at certain temps, and water in the fuel can freeze. But using winter or treated fuel should eliminate that.

I think at zero degrees with a tractor stored outdoors, you need at least a coolant heater. At 20 degrees, it ought to start fine. But hey, I'm from sunny CA......

 

[airbiscuit]

Best first option is a block (coolant) heater. Option 2, throw a blanket or tarp over it and let an electric heater run for a half hour or so. Some diesels will start in very cold weather, but why stress them like that?

 

[4570Man]

Do you have a block heater? I have started my tractor at nearly that cold without any problems. I have started it at about 30 degrees without a block heater. I try to just let my tractor hibernate. I don't much care for the idea of being out on the tractor with it 0 outside.

 

[BlackOps]

no block heater and no $ to install one now. sorry another reality. I have been and am charging the battery and i did try holding the plugs longer and also a few times like oldpilgrim said. going out in a while to try again. glow plugs seem to be working because whne in the past i first started it when warmer i did use them and it started.

 

[aczlan]

Glow plugs:
Turn on the key and wait until the glow plug light goes out. Turn key off and repeat a couple more times. Then try starting. This works for a lot of people.

Yep. If the glowplug light goes out on a timer, you need to cycle the key like that 2-3 times when its really cold...

Aaron Z

 

[Uncle Hulka]

I have a friend whose unrestored, but well-maintained 1940 Farmall M has to sit outside here in CT year round. It starts fine, unless we're having a real cold snap. What he does is put a regular incandescent work light right up against the side of the manifold where it meets the carb. He covers the tractor with a tarp and leaves the light on all night. What a difference that makes. You wouldn't think it, but it starts right up the next morning. Now I know diesels are totally different animals, but the principle applies to both. I'm not saying it will solve your problem, but it just might be enough to make a difference.

Good luck and keep us posted!

BTW, I agree with the others; I think you either have a glow plug problem or fuel gel issue.