Problem starting TLB in the cold

[40Kchicks]

It doesn't get all that cold where I live but this summer I switched my 01 powerstroke diesel truck and my Cat skid steer over to synthetic motor oil and have noticed a great improvement in how easy the diesels start when it gets cold.
Eric

 

[surfran]

Here is the link to Tractor Smart, go to the parts section and then click on the complete price book and enter the part number Fungus provided in the search. It is $34.85. Many people are pleased with them, I can't really say as I haven't ever ordered from them.

http://www.tractorsmart.com/enter.htm

I have a block heater for by BX1800 and it has started fine in the cold days recently (-4 was coldest I started it in with about 45min - 1 hour of heater plugged in). My tractor is currently sitting outside under a King Canopy so it gets all the cold /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Hopefully this spring I can add on to the old shed /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif then she'll have a proper home.

Good luck

 

[Trev]

Some combination of the following:

Block heater

Hydraulic heater

Battery Tender

Diesel Fuel Additive / anti-gel

I made sure our pole barn was wired with plenty of outlets, and I have three plugs on the tractor.. block, hydraulic, and battery. On weeks like this last one, where I've plowed at least twice a day, every day, I just leave everything plugged in all the time. Normally, I wouldn't. Not sure how much power this eats up.. the dealer put in the heaters when I bought the tractor, and I don't recall him giving me any specs for them.

The dealer tried to disuade me from bothering with the heaters, but local farmers all told me to get them. One said "Sure, it will start great when it's new.. but a few years from now maybe not..."

BTW, I normally use Power Service.

http://www.powerservice.com

HTH,
Bob

 

[LateBloomer]

Hey Fungus (love the name), thanks for posting that Kubota installation guide for the block heater. It is a absolutely beautiful sunny day outside which means I would like to be out on my B7500 pushing snow or just having fun. However the little magnetic heater I was sold doesn't do squat on a day like this which is pushing -10 for a high. Out of sympathy for my tractor I don't want to crank it up until the temps climb above zero which may not be for a few more days. The installation looks pretty simple so it looks like I might be calling a dealer in the lower 48 to order one of these heaters. I have them in my trucks and they work great. Besides my tractor looks a little sad these days sitting alone and not being used. My wife thinks I am getting a little too close to this machine, of course she doesn't understand.

 

[B21nut]

Fungus,
I downloaded the instruction sheet you posted. It says to splice into the radiator hose. In your post you say this is not required. Can you be more specific where you threaded the heater into your machine? Thanks

John D.

 

[JWE]

The plug is on the right side, middle, lowersection of the engine. Look for a large plug that takes a 17mm hex wrench. The plug is sometimes hard to break free. I used a 1/2 inch breaking bar with a section of pipe for leverage. There is a 17 mm hex wrench, floating amoung TBN members, that you can use to get the plug out (picture attached).

John

 

[Fungus]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I downloaded the instruction sheet you posted. It says to splice into the radiator hose. In your post you say this is not required. Can you be more specific where you threaded the heater into your machine? Thanks)</font>

Apparently this heater has multiple applications. For the B21 it screws directly into the block. There are no hoses that need to be cut or plugged.

Here’s a picture of it installed into the block on mine (<font color="blue">See Here</font>).
And with the AC power cord attached (<font color="blue">See Here</font>).

I like the fact you can disconnect the AC power cord when its not being used.

Hope that helps.

 

[danadsr]

FUNGUS

Thanks a bunch. That has to be one of the cleanest looking block heater installations I have ever seen. I agree, the detachable power cord is slick, no worrys aboout what to do with the cord under the hood when you don't need it. Just curious though, during the winter months, do you disconnect the wire or tie it up out of the way?

danadsr

 

[Fungus]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just curious though, during the winter months, do you disconnect the wire or tie it up out of the way?)</font>

I haven’t had it long enough to know for sure. Right now I just leaved it off until I need it.

 

[B6200]

I have 1986 Kubota B6200 with 800 hrs on it . I have owned it since new. If the Temperature is below 30degrees or so my tractor starts the same way you describe. I preheat 2 minutes set the throttle just a little higher than idle. Start the engine if it is running uneven I hit the glow plug for 10 seconds or so until it evens out. It has worked for me all these years fine. Inspect the fuel in the tank with a large spotlight inside the filler neck. If you see things floating this is a problem waiting to happen. Fuel treatment and clean fuel Filters are a must. Always keep a spare fuel filter on hand. It will clog when you need it most. Try and keep the fuel tank topped off. Hope this helps You.