Starting Your Kubota in Cold Weather

[crazyal]

This fall I picked up a 2015 L3301HST with the frost plug block heater...even so I spent half of yesterday getting it going. After leaving it plugged in all last night I realized that the heater doesn't work. I also can't believe the tiny battery they put in it; ... sure wish that I'd kept the 1000CCA which was in my old L275. It's all part of getting to know a new tractor though, I'll pick up a new heater and swap the battery out with the one in my pickup.

You may have something else going on. Without the block heater it'll be harder to start but it should still start. The 7 year old small battery will start my 4240 even if left outside in sub zero temps without using the block heater.

 

[Dave M7040]

There痴 definitely room for something to go wrong and the indicator no longer works, but assuming the glow plugs and the indicator work I don稚 see how they could be operated individually.

If you want to study the WSM wiring diagram, I can get it to you.

I did in 2012 and don't wish to go through it all again.

If the trick is of no use to you, just don't use it.

It has helped others so for me that is enough.

I am not trying to diminish your knowledge and experiences but on a Kubota with an electronic controller they can be operated individually.

Dave M7040

 

[sixdogs]

Let me add that the best 12V test light-- like Dave M7040 mentions--I ever owned came from Harbor Freight for not much money. Dave M7040 knows Kubotas.

 

[sandyc]

Always use power service in fuel, synthetic motor oil, battery tender, and block heater. My block heater is plugged into a WiFi plug such that I can schedule time to turn on or do it manually. Anything below 32 I heat for 2 hours. No problems yet...touch wood.

 

[check]

A little experimenting with a test light will show you what works. There will be a trick if your glow plugs are under the control of a glow plug controller!!! A test light like this one is available at all automotive parts places or on line at amazon. $10 Connect the test light alligator clip to the electrical terminal on any glow plug. Have the light end with you. Stick the sharp point to a good ground. Start the tractor as you always do and watch the test light come on and then go off as the engine starts. Now stop the engine and start experimenting to see if you can make the test light come on without using the normal starting procedure. I don't know your tractor by assume there is some sort of indicator on the dash that shows you the glow plugs are needed and heating and when the indicator goes out you turn the key to start. When you are using the trick I spoke of, there is no indication on the dash that anything is happening. This is when the test light will show you if you can get the glow plugs to be under your control. I am not certain I understand your question: is the timer bypassing me? Tell me more about any display of glow plug operation on your dash. Dave M7040

Kk thanks, Dave. Will check it out next time I am up at the cottage.

 

[cold1313]

No block heater for me, my dealer said he never installs them unless someone insists on it. I found following the manual for how to start in cold temperatures AND the recommended warm up idle time, based on temperature works well for me. I believe my manual states to put the throttle at 1/3 throttle and give it a try. Never had a problem - battery is ALWAYS on a battery tender when not in use. I store in a non heated, pole barn. My old B3200 would start every time - it would cough a bit on start up but would smooth out pretty quickly.

Just picked up a new MX5800 - Haven't tried starting that in this cold snap, because I don't want to be out in this cold either. Possible snow storm on Sunday, but we will have "warmed up" to close to 30 by then. Air temperature of -12 for a low this Friday. Just depends where the air is coming from, being along Lake Erie.

 

[dodge man]

I'm pretty sure BX's just glow as long as you hold the key in the notch before it would turn over. I don't think it has the advance electronics to control it. I started mine the other day when it was a little below zero. I had to run the glow plugs and crank it quite long, no block heater.

 

[crashz]

My L2501 with only 29 hrs would not start in the ~5 degree weather last week. Glow plugs cycled for 6 seconds twice and it didn't have enough battery to crank it over. I put it on a charger Tuesday and used a magnetic heater, and got it started. BTW - no block heater. I didn't even think they'd sell a tractor without one in NH.

What I found odd is that the battery is a Group 26 battery (big in size) but its only 490 CCA. I also wonder if it froze, as the front of the tractor sits outside. I'm going to do the 50 hr service soon, switch to synthetic engine oil and replace the battery with a decent one and add a battery blanket.

 

[civilian]

Right at 0 deg F this morning in Northern Michigan. Plugged the BX in for about an hour. Warmed up the glow plugs and turned to crank. Nothing. Look down and the gear shift is still in low. Tried to move to neutral. No luck. Played with it for a bit, got it into neutral. But still no crank. Get the heat gun out and warm uip the switch at the back right tire. Finally got it warmed up and switch released and then it would crank. This is the second time I did that in bitter cold. Have to remember to shift to neutral when stutting it down. Just a heads up for others. Jon

 

[civilian]

Also when I first purchased the BX, and tired using the block heater, it didn't seem to help start the unit. Again on a below 0 morning, I needed to snow blow. Well the glow plugs were not enough. Found out the cord/connector was bad. Dealer installed a new block heater later. But to get the tractor started, I put a small electric heater in the cab blowing through the cowl area to the engine and also a trouble light somewhere else to supply some heat. A couple hours later it started. Mine seats outside during the winter, garage is not big enough for it to sit inside. Next house it will. Jon

 

[Ivan49]

3301DT here in northern Mich would not start today. Plugged the block heater in for an hour and got it started. I think they use crap batteries in them as mine even in warm weather rolls over slow. I am going to replace the battery with a higheer amp one later . Should not have to do this on a 2 year old tractor

 

[corl]

I have a 29 yr old Kubota F2100 that is used to plow snow in the winter. It has a block heater and starts like its summer time. I usually plug it in the night before I use it. I also have a Kubota MX5100 without a block heater. It starts when I need it but it is not used much in very cold weather.

 

[sixdogs]

3301DT here in northern Mich would not start today. Plugged the block heater in for an hour and got it started. I think they use crap batteries in them as mine even in warm weather rolls over slow. I am going to replace the battery with a higheer amp one later . Should not have to do this on a 2 year old tractor

My experience with Kubota is that they use excellent and long lasting batteries that don't leak and are adequate, or better, for the task. Like all batteries, I keep mine charged before winter with a modern "smart" charger that will also desulphate. I use a NOCO 3.5 amp charger. The old style chargers that boil the crap out of the battery are obsolete. It's possible you have a one-off problem but give it a chance before you jump.

 

[Ivan49]

My experience with Kubota is that they use excellent and long lasting batteries that don't leak and are adequate, or better, for the task. Like all batteries, I keep mine charged before winter with a modern "smart" charger that will also desulphate. I use a NOCO 3.5 amp charger. The old style chargers that boil the crap out of the battery are obsolete. It's possible you have a one-off problem but give it a chance before you jump.

I think they use to low amp battery for northern climates. It just grunted as it has since I bought it 2 years ago and I had the dealer check it at that time and all was fine. In the cold temps we have been having I knew it would not start. The temp was 2 when I tryed to start it yesterday so I plugged the block heater in

 

[oldballs]

Having owned a BX in 2009 and now a 2012 B series Kubota, I'd say that the OE batteries are top notch. The glow plug starting in cold weather never failed me. I do use the Battery Tender on them (tractor stored outside). And just like when all our kids were born in December/ January, I bring the battery indoors and leave on the charger. It's always worked for me.

 

[Ivan49]

I guess I am old school as I am use to getting on the tractor and it starting right up. My old tractor would start down to -10 with no help and I have started my skid steer at -20 before with no help. I like this tractor but there are a few things I donot like on it but can live with. Buy one of my questions to the dealer was about cold weather starting. Had I known whatI know now I probably would not have bought this tractor. I have always kept it in the pole barn the same as the old one

 

[civilian]

I think they use to low amp battery for northern climates. It just grunted as it has since I bought it 2 years ago and I had the dealer check it at that time and all was fine. In the cold temps we have been having I knew it would not start. The temp was 2 when I tryed to start it yesterday so I plugged the block heater in

Had my BX2230 plugged in a hour north of you for about 2 hrs. -10F when plugged in, about -8F when started. Bit of glow plug and she fired. Ran rough, idled up and left it for 10-15 min and off and blowing snow. Just plugged it in again, (-6F)and will try starting in a 1/2 hour to an hour. Need to open up a parking area for a neighbor coming up to his cottage. Was -18F this morning at 9am. Jon

 

[civilian]

This is what I have to open up.

Jon

 

[RoyJackson]

This is what I have to open up.View attachment 534667
View attachment 534668
Jon

Is that cleared area a road, or a driveway?

Looks like you'll have to clear a path to the front door too...
You probably already know this, but raise your blower and take relatively small bites...you'll get through, eventually.

 

[civilian]

Is that cleared area a road, or a driveway?

Looks like you'll have to clear a path to the front door too...
You probably already know this, but raise your blower and take relatively small bites...you'll get through, eventually.

Actually I will start at the neighbor's mailbox, to the left of the pictures(maybe not in pictures), and clear about 2/3 the length of the house. Mostly moving the pile. At the tree is his septic tank, so I have to keep that covered. That pile/berm is the plowed mess from the county going around the turn around. Usually further away from yellow house, but not this year. Will actually touch the pile with the back blade in areas to make sure it is broken up, then turn around and chew with the blower. And keep moving in a little bit at a time. If that doesn't work, I'll drop the blower and go get the BX's loader and use the bucket. Jon