Starting in cold weather GC17XX

CBCGC1715 · Sep 29, 2019

Just curious what is your set up for starting and maintaining a happy machine.

I have a block heater already and will be running a diesel additive for cold weather.

seville009 · Sep 29, 2019

Thatç—´ pretty much it. Let it warm up a bit after you start it.

When youæ±*e done, knock off as much of the snow and slush that you can so that it doesnç¨š freeze up on you. Msinly anywhere you have moving parts, levers, etc.

If you leave it outside, I bungee a plastic tarp over the seat and steering wheel.

I always top off my fuel when IçŸ¥ done so that I know itç—´ ready to go.

oosik · Sep 29, 2019

I run white bottle Power Service in my diesel fuel year-round. Otherwise - a trickle charger on the battery. Have never needed anything else. The tractor starts great in cold wx. I ALWAYS top off the fuel after every use. My tractor is in an open carport stall.

Imold · Sep 29, 2019

I get my diesel at the cenex station that already has winter additives in the fuel when the cold gets here and so far with my diesel pickups I have had no issues in the winter down to -35/40, my new tractor has a block heater and it will be parked in a un heated garage hooked up to a trickle charger that is it, this is my first diesel tractor so I will see how it starts below zero this winter.

So far we have had a few mid 40* mornings and the only thing I have done so far is to hold the glow plugs on for 10-15 seconds then turn it over, it chugs a bit then smooths out and I let it idle for 10 min or so and I also operate the FEL a little and 3 point, right now it is sitting in a open shelter at my other property so if it gets to cold I am wondering if it will start at all if we get a really bad cold snap before I get it to my home for the winter.

atsah · Sep 29, 2019

Imold said:
I get my diesel at the cenex station that already has winter additives in the fuel when the cold gets here and so far with my diesel pickups I have had no issues in the winter down to -35/40, my new tractor has a block heater and it will be parked in a un heated garage hooked up to a trickle charger that is it, this is my first diesel tractor so I will see how it starts below zero this winter.

So far we have had a few mid 40* mornings and the only thing I have done so far is to hold the glow plugs on for 10-15 seconds then turn it over, it chugs a bit then smooths out and I let it idle for 10 min or so and I also operate the FEL a little and 3 point, right now it is sitting in a open shelter at my other property so if it gets to cold I am wondering if it will start at all if we get a really bad cold snap before I get it to my home for the winter.

Don't be afraid to give it 45 seconds on the glow plugs when it's cold.. My 1705 needed between 30 and 45 seconds to fire right off when it was below 30F....

Also I wouldn't rely on the service station, I would put a little power service as well, cheap insurance.. You're trucks probably have a heater at the filter housings like mine did, you're tractor does not..

cglaser104 · Sep 30, 2019

I keep my GC1710 in an unheated garage. I use Rotella T5 motor oil for the spec recommended for all temperatures (10w-30 maybe?). It rarely gets below 10°F here so I don't use a block heater but I do make sure to turn those glow plugs on for 45 seconds before attempting to turn over. The service station here has outstanding cold weather deisel so I don't add anything there. Before taking it out I allow the tractor to warm for 10 minutes before I start using it.

Imold · Sep 30, 2019

atsah said:
Don't be afraid to give it 45 seconds on the glow plugs when it's cold.. My 1705 needed between 30 and 45 seconds to fire right off when it was below 30F....

Also I wouldn't rely on the service station, I would put a little power service as well, cheap insurance.. You're trucks probably have a heater at the filter housings like mine did, you're tractor does not..

I will give it a try at 20 and work up to 30 seconds or so. I just went off of the owners manual Thanks. I let the glow plugs go about 5 more seconds after the light shuts off in my pickups.

Cenex is known for their quality of diesel during winter months and in cold weather climates and on the reg pump lane or where cars and pickups pump their fuel, the diesel is pre mixed for the temps and coming temps, in the last eight years or so we have never had a gel up with either of our pickup diesels on the reg pumps, I do not even go to the tractor/truck pumps except for kerosene, I think my son will do a mix of 1 and 2 once in a while because he does not trust the pump I go to, kids hahaha.

atsah · Sep 30, 2019

Whom ever wrote the owners manual as far as cold starts on a GC doesn't have a clue... I don't really know why they need so much glow time but they do. It very well could be indirect injection instead of direct injection.. Both of my Deere's start one glow cycle ( about 10 seconds at 0F).. That is one thing I didn't like about my GC, no timer, there is a reason for that..

irvingj · Oct 1, 2019

Ditto... when it's cold I'll often hold my 2310 in the GLOW position for a minute or more, even with a block heater I plug in. Just seems to make starting easier. Even in warmer weather I'll use some glow for the first stat-up of the day, otherwise it will crank for quite a bit before firing up. And yes, these are all old-school indirect injection engines, AFAIK.