starting observation

ToolManRick · Dec 24, 2004

Well Soundguy that's a tough decision... rebuild the Ford NAA or purchase a new Jinma. If one were to look at the resale value of a refurbished Ford NAA v.s. a new Jima I'd say the Ford wins. I doubt I could sell my Jinma for 75% of what I paid, but hey, it ain't for sale. Hope that previous statement doesn't get me a hot seat cause I really like my Jinma and have no complaints what-so-ever. By the way, starts good.

You sound like the kind of guy who takes care of his tools and I'd think you'd have a ball with a new "little guy". They instantly beg for little improvements. I did a 4-way flasher (travel the road to get to the lower acreage), parking brake indicator light, glow plug light, moved the clutch pedal for more foot clearance, extended the hyd. breather (steep inclines on my property) added an additonal rear work light and basically cleaned up the assembly. I'd not sell her, no way. I haven't used the pto, but have some plans. Being able to disengage the tranny seperately from the pto does have it's advantages.

BTW the power steering is really a nice feature for my property, dodging the trees. I plan on doing a major pathway down a hill when things dry out a little and the Jinma will have to show her stuff.

So, with all that said I am of no help. I like the old Fords and would have bought one, but I really do need the 4wd for my place. Guess I'd rebuild the Ford and get a Jinma too. Just kidding... I found out the green stuff does not grow on trees or I'd be rich.

Paddy · Dec 24, 2004

Greg,

Did I get that correct, the KM 454 has no glow plugs?? I have a small Kubota that needs a good 30sec at any temp below 32. Can glow plugs be added?

Patrick

greg_g · Dec 24, 2004

( Did I get that correct, the KM 454 has no glow plugs?? I have a small Kubota that needs a good 30sec at any temp below 32. Can glow plugs be added?)

You got it correct Paddy, the engine in my KM454 has no glow plugs. But remember, it's a 2003-12 direct injection version. Any imported with 1998-xx engines will likely have either glow plugs or ThermoStart.

Since glow plugs are tapped into the cylinder head, I don't think retrofitting my engine is feasible. Probably cause more problems than it would fix. Besides, so far it's started just fine - down to 15F - all on it's own. Haven't checked the intake closely to determine if there's a ThermoStart port, but I don't really think it needs that either. To be on the safe side though, I'm currently shopping for something to keep the oil warm (and thin). I think that should be all it needs to start in sub-zero temps.

//greg//

ToolManRick · Dec 25, 2004

Greg, I've heard that the dip stick type heaters (if your considering that) create a condensation problem in the crankcase. If your looking to warm it a little I'd suggest the in-line hose radiator type heater. Just my 2 cents worth.

greg_g · Dec 25, 2004

( I've heard that the dip stick type heaters (if your considering that) create a condensation problem in the crankcase. If your looking to warm it a little I'd suggest the in-line hose radiator type heater. Just my 2 cents worth. )
This is on the verge of hijacking Chris's thread here, but I wouldn't touch a dipstick heater with a 10 ft pole. And the bottom hose on a KM454 is only 4" long. Don't think I could get a heater, two hose sections, and four clamps in that little space. I'd previously ruled out the Wolverine too, because of the KAMA's U-shaped oil pan. But I just discovered Wolverine has expanded their product line, so I'll be taking some more oil pan measurements today.

//greg//

SPIKER · Dec 25, 2004

Hi All:

It's been a BAD few days up here in OHIO with the big storm passing through. I wrecked my 2 whl drive ford truck going to work, (brush gaurd took most of the beating but still cracked the grill and ripped the tail pipe out of muffler) every thing else on it seems OK.) we got ~20" snow in Mansfield, and my farm got 16" with 3" of freezing rain on top. I lost most of my BIG white pines out front of the farm, they look more like phone poles than trees now /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif We have been without power on the farm since the storm thursday morning wens night. there! Still none... Propane non-forcced heat working well no well pump or heat tape for the pipes and sub 0 temps... I fired up my 284, NO HEAT on it what so ever and I tried the glow plugs, I THINK (as she was in dark barn and I couldn't SEE the amp meter movement, so had to use memory or KEY postion. the first try I could tell it didn't get on the spot for heat. not even a sputter. 2nd try she fired up after 10 sec of glow plug and 10 sec of cranking (first fire since prior to turkey day too!) I ran her for 2 hrs clearning the drive and neibors place though they abandoned their place due to cold and no heat!

I only have my box blade to PUSH snow with so it was slow going back and forth at an angle across drive to get it off. lights all worked WELL but I do see need for a regular ajd blade over the box blade... I also filled up the FEL bucket with soem hard packed ice from the front of the drive from snow plows and used it as added traction, in 4 wheel drive 100% and actually locked the DIF LOC in one time when I was driving over the big drift that was in front of the barn... didn't want to push her while the engine was cold and the oil was pegged the 100 psi gauge.... ideling in low range with fel up and half dragging the tiller as it was on last time I used her so as you can see it was back some time end of october when she was ran, no charger on her or anything with same old 3 yr old china battery she cranked up and ran well! temp at cranking time was about 8 ~10 degrees F. Thursday night after work 7pm. I plowed by MOON LIGHT and it was very pretty with the stars all out and 3/4 fullmoon, the ICE on top 2~3" layers would ripple in the moon light out 50+ feet as I pushed snow... it was quite pleasant with just the sound of the engine firing away... if it wasn't so dang cold I would have really really really enjoyed myself instead of simply really really enjoying my self ! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif still the fridge in the house has run water all over from thawing out in the warm dirrect fired gas heaters warmth... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I gave in and took some good photos of the trees and such today (big meg files but I think I shrink one and save it for showing here. it is of the side yard where we have BBQ's all summer, tree branches are stripped down on most of the white pines pretty bad also shows amount of snow on the picknick tables which are the 4' high free electric wire wooden spools the porch swing is under the brackerty in behind the blue spools!.)

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif