New CK35 Owner Cold weather question.

[eman5oh]

Just took delivery of a CK35H today and this is my first diesel. Will this need a block heater for cold weather operation? It has been cold here in the mornings, it was -11 this morning. The tractor will be inside a unheated garage that will protect it form the wind and snow but the temperature will be very close to outside temps. The deal that delivered added an anti gelling agent to the tank of fuel, so I think I am ok on that. What has been your experience with cold weather starts? Thanks

 

[Coyote machine]

Welcome to TBN and the Kioti O/Operating forum. I suggest going through the today's posts list at top of the page and read up on solutions to cold weather starting. It's diesel specific, not a brand related issue. Basically, uncut diesel, non-winterized fuel, will gel up, due to paraffin in the fuel and cause problems.
You need to use only cut fuel from a reputable local supplier and keep your battery on a 'tender' to keep it from loosing its charge when not in use. A block heater can't hurt, but I'd run it on a HD timer 4-5 hours prior to needing to start the tractor.

 

[VictorW]

I don't have power in the building my tractor sits in so no block heater. I use Rotella T6 synthetic 5W-40 engine oil which helps but you're not ready for an oil change. It was -6F a few days ago when I started mine. I ran the glow plugs two cycles and then cranked. It started fine but I'm sure it would have been much happier with a block heater plugged in as mentioned. I use mine probably once a week or more and haven't had a problem with the battery but then again if you have power, a battery tender would certainly help. I don't use that much fuel so I just buy on road fuel and add an anti jelling additive. Diesels take a little longer to warm up than a gas engine and don't expect the temp gauge to rise that much until you start to work it. I let mine warm up about ten minutes at around 1200-1400 rpm. Don't be surprised to see the temp gauge drop when after warm and you let it idle for 5-10 minutes. That's normal when outside temps are this cold. Just go back to using it.

 

[tcartwri]

It will start reliably down to 5F. Below that you will need to plug it in.

When it's really cold and you haven't been able to plug it in, you should cycle the glow plugs two or three times before you engage the starter.

 

[maximus1277]

I keep my ck27 in unheated garage and use it 2-3 times a week for snow clean up (busy winter this year) and fire wood runs to the back of my property. No heater or special treatments.... Tractor starts fine every time. After a few minutes of idle, I move it outside and let it warm up for 5-10 minutes depending of how patient I am that day. As a point of reference, the snow falling off the machine in the garage doesn't melt.... It's been pretty cold here in CT.

 

[Retired guy]

My CK30HST is stored in an unheated garage. This is my third winter and it does not have a block heater.
I use Rotella T6 5W-40 year round. This AM it was -12 and it started right up. I have never used the manual pre-heat selection on the ignition because I have never had it not start on the first auto cycle. Use the proper viscosity oil and buy winterized fuel and add Power Service [white bottle] or Howe's. I also add the fuel thru a Mr. Filter, water separating funnel, and add the additives to the tank not to the fuel in the can.

 

[Spanky100]

Just took delivery of a CK35H today and this is my first diesel. Will this need a block heater for cold weather operation? It has been cold here in the mornings, it was -11 this morning. The tractor will be inside a unheated garage that will protect it form the wind and snow but the temperature will be very close to outside temps. The deal that delivered added an anti gelling agent to the tank of fuel, so I think I am ok on that. What has been your experience with cold weather starts? Thanks

Welcome.

I would check with the dealer to see what oil viscosity the tractor was delivered with. I suspect if it is a new tractor it is same oil that the factory filled and shipped it with. As others have said the 5W-40 is a good choice for winter and summer (just make sure it is a diesel CJ-4 oil and not a oil for gasoline spark ingnited engines). If it is a heavy oil like 15W-40 I would not want to use that for winter cold starts in your area.
Enjoy the new machine.

 

[woodchipper]

Since you have glow plugs and your tractor is brand new, as is the battery, I would not be concerned by the cold, as your tractor is well protected from the elements in the garage. Like mentioned, cycle your glow plugs 2 or 3 times before attempting to start.
If you find that the tractor does not start quick enough, then by all means, install an inline water (coolant) heater. Ask your dealer where to put it, as it is important that the glow plug sensor does not get affected by any heat from surrounding water (coolant). Synthetic oil will improve lubrication when cold, but I would not change the oil for the only reason the engine may start a tad more easily. Wait for your first oil change schedule to change it for synthetic.
Enjoy the winter, and happy Tractoring!:tractor:

 

[eman5oh]

All thanks for the advice. I had it out for a couple hours today to play with it. Moved the some of the ever growing snow banks back a bit. Started fine today. Have to get used to the noises that the diesel makes. Engine make a racket for the first 5 or minutes when it is started from cold then sound more normal.

 

[TJP89]

I have fully synthetic 5W-40 engine oil, and my tractor starts right up in -13F with only glow plugs. I use normal diesel with stabilizer, no issues, tractor is kept indoors in an unheated barn. I do keep a trickle charger on the battery. Engine makes a racket on start up with copious white smoke, takes a while to warm up and the hydraulics are slow. Once it warms up though, no issues.