Over-using glow plugs?

   / Over-using glow plugs? #11  
Thanks for the link to the skids and the pics too.:thumbsup:
As far as running the tractor where you don't want to be stuck, I'd do it. Small amount of fuel vs. huge amount of hassle.
I believe it was Wallace who stated recently that his preference for tractors that need assistance with starting use an oil pan magnetic heater instead of a block or radiator hose heater. If you don't already have one and you store your toy outside, I might at least consider getting a pan heater to assist with cold weather starts.
Happy New Year to all!:cool:
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #12  
I believe it was Wallace who stated recently that his preference for tractors that need assistance with starting use an oil pan magnetic heater instead of a block or radiator hose heater.

Is that an accurate statement Rick?? I had heard (and read) block heaters are best but I am open to a magnetic if it does the job.

Bob
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #13  
I forgot to mention that the most likely reason to not drop the loader bucket/fel to the ground is possible damage/wear to the pins, etc. as a result of dropping it vs. lowering it and then pushing the joy stick all the way down to 'float' position.
There may be other reasons, but that one is good enough for me.
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #14  
I'd bet that the thinkin is that you'll slam the bucket on the ground. It seems funny, but I suppose if you had several hundred pounds in there it might drop pretty quick. An empty bucket falls pretty slow in float.
See my comments on the "cold starting bit" post. I would get the line heater. I had one on my old N and it was awesome. I've now got a 200W magnetic on my CK20S and it's only a slight improvement. It was convenient, but not what I had hoped for.
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #15  
A couple of points. Only problem with pushing a heavy load in float, is when the bucket fill up, you can actually raise the front wheels off the ground. Getting them way up there and then dropping it hard can be tough on axels and isn't wise. If you have a light load or keep ease off if you feel the front start rising, you can use the float position.

Re starting - Get a block heater. I use mine religiously, only takes about 30 minutes to warm things up and it fires right up. You can tell it's warmed up which is better for the engine. Not sure which type of heater is better but the oil pan one only heats the oil at first and it will take a while for the heat to rise all the way up to the engine block. When starting, the only thing you care about being hot is the combustion chamber so getting that area warmed up appears to be best. Also never liked the idea of the magentics on the bottom of the oil pan. Between bushes, high snow et al, they don't seem like they would stay there but I could be wrong on that never having used one.

As far as shutting down vs leaving running. In winter if I'm going to use it again within 10 minutes, I usually just leave it idling. Summer I don't mind shutting her down because the engine stays warm for quite awhile and it's an easy start. Even in 30 deg weather, it still stays pretty warm for a while after shutting down and she starts right back up, usually don't even use the glowplugs in this case.

Bottom line is you can start without a block heater but why would you want to? They don't cost much, work well, and make starting easier on your engine, starter, battery, and get you warmed up to operating temperature a lot faster. Seems like a no brainer to me! (Unless you live in fl or tx, then I take back my post!)
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #16  
I turn glow plugs on imediately after start in cold
Smooths engine out quickly

Joel
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #17  
Agreed on the float statement. I was thinking about setting the bucket down, not digging it in and vaulting the front of the tractor over it. That could really put some wear on things. You just have to be cautious of speed, objects and bucket angle when floating.

The Katz magnetic heater I got is one that you remove before use. It's got kind of a frying pan handle thing. Bottom line is that it sucks for my application. There's not really a space on the pan that is large enough to make 100% surface contact, but it's close. The edge of the heater hangs off the corner of the pan by about 1/4". Overall, the heater surface is probably 2"x3". The real problem is that it just dosen't conduct enough heat to warm the whole engine. The pan itself is noticably warmer, but the upper part of the engine remains stone cold. This is during 0 to +20F ambient temp.

I can't turn the glow plugs back on. The "pre-heat" position is the same as "run". If I click the ignition switch back one position from "run" it shuts the engine down. I've heard a few people talking of this technique. There must have been a revision somewhere along the line.
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #18  
just a quick question to you all. i have a block heater in my old JD870 and i ordered my new DK45SE HST with a lower radiator heater. how come not many of you use these heaters? are they hard on the tractor??? I have mine on timers set to turn on a few hours before i ever plan on using my tractor in both the AM and PM winter time only. I have used this in the JD for 14 years....i NEVER have to use the glow plugs. the thing just fires up without any smoke. are these hard on engines??? i figure a few hours couldnt hurt. i also bought a magnetic 300 watt heater to clip and strap on the transmission case to try and help keep the HST fluid warmer for easier startups. i figured all this should help the tractor last longer. any opinions?? thanks
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #19  
Just a quick note on cold weather starting. I have a Bobcat CT 235 (purchased in Canada, therefore, a block heater was already installed).

I found when plugging it in for about 2 hrs before use and when I went out to start it, the glow plug light would not come one. When I went to fire it up immediatly it would take about three revolutions before it started and when it did the engine ran fine, obviously warm.

I'm not an expert by any means but my thinking was the engine being warm fooled the system into thinking it was summer, therefore the glow plugs needed no warming,,,, does this make sense.

In any event, now after plugging the tractor in I use the manual glow plug proceedure by turning the ignition to the left, held it for 20 seconds and wham, just like summer. Using this method the tractor starts immediatly, every time!

Hope this helps,

Fred

Your Kioti is the same as mine so this should work for you.

Fred
 
   / Over-using glow plugs? #20  
just a quick question to you all. i have a block heater in my old JD870 and i ordered my new DK45SE HST with a lower radiator heater. how come not many of you use these heaters? are they hard on the tractor???
The only reason I never installed a block heater is that there is no electric to plug it in at the polebarn where the tractor is stored.
 

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