? Re: decompression lever & starting

Garycw · Sep 24, 2014

I'm new to diesel & just bought my first Farm Pro 2425. I'm a little confused about the decompression lever coming out the lower center dash. What is its primary use? Will it run with lever in decompress ? Does it return to normal when started or manual return. I've not turned this and tractor starts fine.

quicksandfarmer · Sep 24, 2014

The decompression lever allows the engine to turn without the pistons developing any compression. The engine won't run with the lever in decompress. It makes starting easier on the engine by allowing you to get oil pressure up before starting. It makes starting easier on the starter and battery by reducing the torque needed to get the engine moving.

Here's how I start a cold engine:
1. Turn decompress lever.
2. Turn key.
3. Let starter run until oil light goes off.
4. Release decompress lever but keep starter on. Engine should start.

RonMar · Sep 24, 2014

+1, easier on the starter and bearings...

Garycw · Sep 24, 2014

RonMar said:
+1, easier on the starter and bearings...

Should this be used even in warm weather? And / or when engine is warm?

Wa11banger · Sep 25, 2014

Although not the same model and make of tractor mine starts without issue to date (knock on something) where I have found the compression release extremely useful when I was new to it was when I forgot to disengage the kill switch and tried to start.. This would often take me a second to understand the guy in the seat was the problem and get a real rich mixture in the cylinders.. This made it very hard to start once I pushed in the kill switch so I would like said above throw the compression release and spin it for awhile to help clear the cylinders and allow it to turn faster for start.

RonMar · Sep 25, 2014

Garycw said:
Should this be used even in warm weather? And / or when engine is warm?

I use it on every start, warm or cold, no starter issues, and still using the 2005 chinese battery that came with the tractor... It's bigest advantage IMO is that it allows oil pressure to build in the crank before you apply the compression loads to the rod bearings...