pointers on starting a cold 670D

[newbury]

Well my foster Satoh 670D doesn't have a visible label for any settings for glo-plug etc. There looks to be a label on the right with a rotary switch but it's all faded.

It was cold, 25 deg F, and it wouldn't fire, and I can't get ahold of my cousin-in-law.
Any pointers on starting when COLD? Does it even have glo-plugs?
It fired up fine after sitting the first night, but then the temps were in the 60's.

Thanks.

 

[duwem]

Can you rotate the key backwards, if so that might be the glow plug setting.

Try that and full throttle setting, may take a few cycles. Hold the key for around 20 seconds in the glow plug location then go to start. Repeate if needed to get it to fire.

 

[Johnp33]

If it has glow plugs, you should hear the relays, and if outside see the actual glow plugs.
To start an engine when it is cold, first off you need a decent set of batteries with clean connections, none of those cheap bolt together connector SOLDERED. mind the rant.
To start an engine crank for 10 seconds, no throttle, now the hard part, wait for 60 seconds so the fuel in the cylinder, can absorb the heat from compression. Then try again for 10 seconds. I lived up north and use to start the trucks when it was really cold. NO throttle.
Caterpillar is different. If needed I use to wet a rag with Gas and lay it over the air inlet to give it a bit of a boost. I am not a fan of either, it destroys a lot engines.

 

[oliver28472]

JohnP is right about the ether, don't use it on these engines.

 

[Volvoman]

This is the process I used on my 670D:

1. with throttle OFF, crank a cold engine for several seconds, until internal bearings and crankshaft journals become fully lubricated by the oil pump.

2. engage glow plugs by turning ignition key fully counterclockwise (backward) for 30 seconds, or longer if air temps are lower than 10 degrees F. There is a glow plug indicator found on the right side of dash, under the throttle lever. It is beneath a small, chromed convex disk with little holes in it. When you see a glowing filament through the holes (the longer you pre-heat the glow plugs, the brighter it will glow), you are ready to crank the engine for the second time. It will not begin to glow instantly, but will take at least 15 seconds before you begin to see the filament glowing. In bright sunlight, it is not easy to see it glowing. If you cannot see the indicator glowing after 30 seconds, you have may a problem with the indicator.

3. advance the hand throttle just enough to provide a sufficient amount of fuel to start the engine and continue running at approximately 800 rpm.

4. depress and hold the foot throttle fully and rotate the ignition key (which you have kept at the "heat glow plugs" position while advancing throttle to the 800 rpm position) to the fully counterclockwise "crank" position. Crank the starter while continuing to depress the foot throttle until the engine is firing on all 4 cylinders, which shouldn't take long at all. The engine should start within a very few revolutions. Once it starts, release the foot throttle to prevent over-revving! If you have to crank the engine for more than five seconds and it still does not start.....you have a problem. Either two or more of the glow plugs are not functional, or you may have a low compression issue. OR, you may have a problem with poor or gelling fuel if the air temp is hovering at zero degrees or lower. Always use a winter blend of diesel in temps below freezing. In the case of cold temperatures, if you have the capability of pre-heating the engine with a block or tank heater for an hour, it will help immensely. If you have no engine heater, you may CAREFULLY heat the engine with an external heat source such as an electric portable heater positioned a foot or two to the side of the engine. If your heater is large, i.e. over 1500 watts, watch carefully to not scorch the paint on your tractor! Or, a portable fuel oil heater (knipco type) can also be used if placed several feet away from the side of the engine. If you do use such a heater, capable of producing 100,000+ BTU or more, DO NOT leave your tractor out of sight!! Heating the engine with one of these powerful heaters has the potential to damage the paint, or ignite anything combustible that may be clinging to the surface of the tractor, and possibly worse! BE CAREFUL if choosing to heat up your engine with a large, powerful external heat source! Don't venture away from your tractor for long if you are using a powerful heat source!!

5. If your tractor starts promptly using the above instructions, let it warm up fully at 1200 rpm for several minutes (10 or more) before using it in cold conditions. The colder it is, the longer you need to warm it up.

6. As others have stated, it is definitely NOT advisable to use ether for giving the tractor an extra boost in starting. Ether is an extreme solvent that will instantly clean off the internal walls of cylinders and pistons of the oil film which is necessary to lubricate them. Starting an engine with dry cylinders is a recipe for trouble. Don't risk it.

7. Enjoy your 670, it is a terrific little tractor.

Vvm

 

[newbury]

This is the process I used on my 670D:
<snip>
2. engage glow plugs by turning ignition key fully counterclockwise (backward) for 30 seconds, or longer if air temps are lower than 10 degrees F. There is a glow plug indicator found on the right side of dash, under the throttle lever. It is beneath a small, chromed convex disk with little holes in it. When you see a glowing filament through the holes (the longer you pre-heat the glow plugs, the brighter it will glow), you are ready to crank the engine for the second time. It will not begin to glow instantly, but will take at least 15 seconds before you begin to see the filament glowing. In bright sunlight, it is not easy to see it glowing. If you cannot see the indicator glowing after 30 seconds, you have may a problem with the indicator.

Thanks, I was wondering what that chrome thing is. 30 seconds, no light, but I did hear a click when turning the key counterclockwise.

<snip>
4. depress and hold the foot throttle

What is this foot throttle? And where is it located?
I've the clutch on the left, two pedals (brakes) on the right, and a lever on the right by my heel which I'm not sure what it is for.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[oliver28472]

The pedal on the right by your heel should be the differential lock. If you have an accelerator pedal, it should be just to the right of your right brake pedal but lower.

 

[newbury]

Thanks oliver -
I figured it would be a diff. lock, based on my Kubota, but wasn't sure

 

[Volvoman]

The foot throttle of the s670 is located immediately outboard of the tractor's right foot rest, maybe an inch at most. Slide or pivot your foot to the right, off the side of the footrest, and it will be able to depress a simple lever that is made of round rod stock with a sharp bend, 90 degrees if I recall correctly, at the end. Pushing the rod downward over-rides the hand throttle and increases rpm's. Release pressure on the foot throttle and the rpm's instantly are reduced back to the hand throttle setting. The foot throttle is an extremely handy feature, especially when the tractor is equipped with a front end loader.
Vvm

 

[newbury]

My bad, I didn't report back that the glow plugs worked after about 35 seconds at 30 degrees.

The Satoh (in background) liked to work and I used it in January to get the first logs for my new Woodmizer LT10 sawmill.