Plugging in your tractor.....GENIUS!!!

[Jerry/MT]

I posted this on the Diesel Gelling thread--maybe this thread is more appropriate!

All this talk about gelling of Diesel fuel makes me nervous being a novice tractor operator as well as a Northern Vermonter. What dictates when one should plug in their tractor before operation---What temperature? My tractor has a heating block I am just not sure when to use it. I am sure this has been covered in this forum at one point. So far this winter no issue with starting. I do not depend on my tractor in the winter. However, I do like to use it to beat back some of the big snow piles from encroaching on us. Any advice would be appreciated.

It kinda depends on the tractor. Mine has Thermostart but the problem I have is getting the engine to turn over fast enough in cold temperatures. I have the block heater on the timer and it warms up for 2hrs before I feed and the tractor starts on the first turn even at -10°F.
I would say use your block heater in temps below 20 F and if it isn't effective than use it below 30°F. Find what works for your machine.

Fuel gelling is not a real problem until like -30°F, but water freezing in the water separator, on the tank tap screen, or in the fuel filter is a more common problem. Keep the fuel clean and water free, change your fuel filter(s) before winter weather and drain the water separator before and after every use and you'll minimize the problem. Keep spare filters on hand also.

If you get down to -30F regularly, and jelling (the filter look like it has wax on it) beomes a problem, mix one part of #1 diesel with 2 parts of #2 diesel or make sure that your fuel is a winter blend with a high pour point. There are also anti-gel additives.

 

[jonnysteals]

I see no reason to plug the tractor in. I have a john deere 3120 2008year and it starts right up in the winter. I primarily use it to cut grass and do cores in the summer so it sits alot on the winter. I havent used it in three mounths and walked over to it and it started right up after activating the glow plugs. I daily drive a ford diesel and have never plugged that in either. I just let them both run for a few minutes before I use them to let them warm up. It was 19 degrees this morning anf my truck fires right up.

 

[ihuntbear]

If you get down to -30F regularly, and jelling (the filter look like it has wax on it) beomes a problem, mix one part of #1 diesel with 2 parts of #2 diesel or make sure that your fuel is a winter blend with a high pour point. There are also anti-gel additives. ( From what I know about fuel is #1 is diesel fuel and #2 is furnace oil)Why would this work for gelling?If it doesn't make sense ask the question

 

[ihuntbear]

If you get down to -30F regularly, and jelling (the filter look like it has wax on it) beomes a problem, mix one part of #1 diesel with 2 parts of #2 diesel or make sure that your fuel is a winter blend with a high pour point. There are also anti-gel additives.


( From what I know about fuel is #1 is diesel fuel and #2 is furnace oil)Why would this work for gelling?If it doesn't make sense ask the question

 

[amigauser]

I also use an appliance rated timer with the block heater to warm up the tractor if I know I will need it at a later date/time. Otherwise I use the walk out to the shed and plug it in routine :confused2:.

I like to leave it plugged in for an hour or so prior to winter use. Like others have stated it starts without the block heater but it starts and runs much smoother with it and warms up faster which I think is better for the diesel engine. I also have a battery tender on the battery to keep it fully charged year round.

The block heater is on the larger Kubota, GL3240. The BX does not have one installed but I generally do not run it much at all in the winter months and it is in a attached garage that stays warmer than the outside air.

 

[LarryD]

I don't have a block heater on the tractor but it rarely gets below 30º here so it's not a problem.
I do however place a small heater in the car on an appliance timer for those frosty mornings. It comes on about an hour before I leave for work so the windows never need cleaning. Also makes the interior nice and toasty while the engine warms up.

 

[lhfarm]

The only problem is the device has a range and beyond that it will not operate the relay. My building is out of the range. I go out early and plug in because it gets me out of washing the floor , vacuuming ,and doing the dishes.
Craig Clayton

My barn is 3/4 of a mile from the house.............

Plus, barns do not like unattended electrical devices..........

I wrote about automating my barn here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/187856-barn-wiring-home-automation.html. X-10 will work those long distances and has properly rated devices. I think the OP's idea is a great one.

Craig, I can certainly understand your reasoning. I just don't like the cold, so I want to get started right away.

Dead Horse, I lived with an unattended house (this was our weekend farm until last summer) for 25 years. Like all things, there is a risk with unattended electrical devices, but those can be mitigated by using the proper equipment and follow safety procedures. Still, I wouldn't try this if I wasn't comfortable with it.

 

[massy1635]

When we had to re-do our electrical service several years ago I buried conduit from the house to the barn. Now I have a switch in the house that controls an outlet in the barn that my block heater is pluged into. So when I decide I need to blow snow in the morning, I flip the switch, have a cup of coffee, SS&S. When I go out the engine is warm and I have heat. I'll use the heater when the tempature is below 30 degrees. The easier it starts the easier it is on the engine.

 

[Jackfr]

I wrote about automating my barn here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/187856-barn-wiring-home-automation.html. X-10 will work those long distances and has properly rated devices. I think the OP's idea is a great one.

I use X10 20amp 3pin appliance modules and our office computer to control the heaters in 3 of our tractors. Automatically turns heaters on and off in our equipment shed from house. Warm engine it starts like summer time and quicker heat.

 

[DieselnHooters]

I posted this on the Diesel Gelling thread--maybe this thread is more appropriate!

All this talk about gelling of Diesel fuel makes me nervous being a novice tractor operator as well as a Northern Vermonter. What dictates when one should plug in their tractor before operation---What temperature? My tractor has a heating block I am just not sure when to use it. I am sure this has been covered in this forum at one point. So far this winter no issue with starting. I do not depend on my tractor in the winter. However, I do like to use it to beat back some of the big snow piles from encroaching on us. Any advice would be appreciated.

if your tractor is fairly new i.e. less than 10 yrs old , it will start on glow plugs down to - 30 with a good battery.

it will only warm up faster when plugged in.