Max. Time for Glow Plugs

mjonesnh · Dec 26, 2006

I own a Tz25Da that is getting difficult to start in the colder weather. On the TZ25 there is a light in the dash that stays on for 5 seconds and then goes out when you energize the glow plugs. As long as you hold the key in the glow plug position they are still energized. The New Holland manual states that in colder weather that extra time may be needed for cold weather starts but does not specify a max. time to keep plugs energized. I confirmed that I have voltage to all three glow plugs and checked the continuity after removing the brass jumper bar, everything seems to be as it should . Just looking for opinions for max. on time time so I don't fry them.

Doc_Bob · Dec 26, 2006

Update your profile, it really helps folks to answer any questions. Include your location.
Bob

Thomas · Dec 27, 2006

Morning mjonesnh.
I am going to guess and say your from the granite state???

There was thread about month an half go w/the same issues your asking...can find the thread.

...come to find out the battery needed replacing,also advice was given almost double the time durning cold...cold weather on the glow plugs....Kubota & JD dealer made the statement..."If there a engine heater use it in extreme cold & it will save on start ups"

kossetx · Dec 27, 2006

Bob, I'm curious. Why would someone need that info to answer his question? He is asking what the max time to run glow plugs would be. If he lived in FL or WA it would be the same question.

randy41 · Dec 27, 2006

on my ford 1710 theres a little coil that you can see glowing on the dash...well you can see it when the sun isnt real bright. anyway, i wait for it to get red then i start the tractor. this usually takes but a few seconds....10 maybe? i dont think that glow plugs keep getting hotter but reach their max temperature pretty quickly...i also think that heating the plugs starts to drain down your battery giving you less juice to run the starter.

Turbys_1700 · Dec 27, 2006

mjonesnh said:
I own a Tz25Da that is getting difficult to start in the colder weather. On the TZ25 there is a light in the dash that stays on for 5 seconds and then goes out when you energize the glow plugs. As long as you hold the key in the glow plug position they are still energized. The New Holland manual states that in colder weather that extra time may be needed for cold weather starts but does not specify a max. time to keep plugs energized. I confirmed that I have voltage to all three glow plugs and checked the continuity after removing the brass jumper bar, everything seems to be as it should . Just looking for opinions for max. on time time so I don't fry them.

If I lived in the North where cold temp start ups are common place I would put a block heater in my tractor. Here in NC it's a non-issue. My 1720 lights up the glow plug dash indicator for perhaps 5 to 10 seconds and she starts right up. But that's in 40 degree weather not 20.

thcri · Dec 27, 2006

mjonesnh said:
Just looking for opinions for max. on time time so I don't fry them.

I beleive there is a safety stat on them so you won't burn them out. Check in your book or verify with your dealer. My 29 has this safety. But if you want to be safe do two(2) 10 or 15 second runs on your glow plugs. If that don't work go to three.

murph

Doc_Bob · Dec 27, 2006

kossetx said:
Bob, I'm curious. Why would someone need that info to answer his question? He is asking what the max time to run glow plugs would be. If he lived in FL or WA it would be the same question.

If he lived in WI, then cold weather means something different than if he lived in Florida. If his glow plugs are not working in Florida, maybe it is not his glow plugs. I assume he is having trouble starting his tractor. Trouble at 0 degrees is a different problem than trouble at 40 degrees.
Bob

DieselMonk · Dec 27, 2006

Only because he measured voltage and not the amperage on the glow plug, does not mean that the glow plugs are good.
As for the glow timing... 10sec is o.k. but I wouldn't go longer than 15 sec. I did however preglow once for 10sec, wait 5 sec and glow again for 10 sec with no trouble.

My 2 cents canadian... only 1 1/2 cent american

DM

thcri · Dec 27, 2006

kossetx said:
Bob, I'm curious. Why would someone need that info to answer his question? He is asking what the max time to run glow plugs would be. If he lived in FL or WA it would be the same question.

I don't know of a manufacture's manual stating a max time and probably for a reason. Your stating the "max time" should be the same, but not, a cold block would allow the glow plugs to run longer before they get to their so called hot point. A warm block they may not have to run as long, so the max time would be different for each area. Check with your dealer or look at the wiring diagram but I am sure glow plugs have a safety on them that automatically resest if they get too hot. I have not checked my manual but was told by my dealer that my TC29D has the safety. I too questioned when it got colder about the length of run time and told not to worry. However, I will need a couple of cycles in colder weather.

The light the original poster is talking about was told to me by my dealer that is more for a minimum time. Even if you tractor is warm you should run the plugs.

murph

thcri · Dec 27, 2006

DieselMonk said:
Only because he measured voltage and not the amperage on the glow plug, does not mean that the glow plugs are good.
As for the glow timing... 10sec is o.k. but I wouldn't go longer than 15 sec. I did however preglow once for 10sec, wait 5 sec and glow again for 10 sec with no trouble.

My 2 cents canadian... only 1 1/2 cent american

DM

The cycles work best for me.

dirtworksequip · Dec 27, 2006

I would not think that the glowplugs would burn out, they are only going to get so hot. Some of the older Caterpillar machines had glowplug times of up to 90 sec for below zero temps. Try 30 then 45 then 60 seconds and see if it makes a difference as to how it starts. If it does not help then it isn't your glowplugs that are causing the problem. Most newer diesels require only about 10-15 sec glowplug heat time. Of course that depends on the air temp.

DieselMonk · Dec 27, 2006

yes, but you still want to have some juice to crank the engine over, as the lil tractor doesn't have 2, 4 or more batteries like the catarpillar! ;-)

droy · Dec 28, 2006

thcri said:
The light the original poster is talking about was told to me by my dealer that is more for a minimum time. Even if you tractor is warm you should run the plugs.

murph

When I purchased my TC33DA, I very well remember the salesman telling me that the tractor would start without waiting for the glow plugs to cycle. He is right about that, but did he give me bad information?
He seemed pretty knowledgeable about the Boomer line, and I kinda think that I might have also read that in the owners manual. ( I could be dreaming though.)
Anyway I'm just curious, why would you use glow plugs to start a warm engine?
The only answer I can think of is to keep starter time to a minimum.

AndyMA · Dec 28, 2006

Turbys_1700 said:
If I lived in the North where cold temp start ups are common place I would put a block heater in my tractor. Here in NC it's a non-issue. My 1720 lights up the glow plug dash indicator for perhaps 5 to 10 seconds and she starts right up. But that's in 40 degree weather not 20.

On my 2120 I never use glow plugs at 40. About 10 seconds when it drops below 30. Tractor is always outsides with no block heater. Has always started right up in the 19 years I have had it.

Andy

whitetiger · Dec 28, 2006

No two tractors will always start the same. A lot depends on engine compression, battery condition, air temp, starter condition, battery cable ends clean and fuel etc etc. If a tractor will start without using glow plugs then it is alright to not use them. If it is slow to start or will not start then they should be used. Severial manufactures say 25-30 seconds should be max. A good way to use them is to heat them for 10-15 seconds, crank the engine a couple rev's and heat them again and crank engine.

LBrown59 · Jan 1, 2007

kossetx said:
Bob, I'm curious. Why would someone need that info to answer his question? He is asking what the max time to run glow plugs would be. If he lived in FL or WA it would be the same question.

Wouldn't need em in fla. would you?

gsxrsquid · Jan 2, 2007

I have used them a couple time in Florida panhandle. Only when temp was in low 30s and it was cranking so so i wanted all the advantage I cold get!

ccsial · Jan 2, 2007

randy41 said:
on my ford 1710 theres a little coil that you can see glowing on the dash...well you can see it when the sun isnt real bright. anyway, i wait for it to get red then i start the tractor. this usually takes but a few seconds....10 maybe? i dont think that glow plugs keep getting hotter but reach their max temperature pretty quickly...i also think that heating the plugs starts to drain down your battery giving you less juice to run the starter.

I have the same setup on the 1910. I let the coils get nice and bright and then when the engine starts to chug I go back to glow position for a bit. It helps it get running smooth sooner.