TC40DA Shutdown while plowing

shawnd · Jan 21, 2011

Well it is a balmy 9 degrees here in the Catskills I went tonight and started the tractor and let it run 10 minutes while I took care of the horse. When I hoped in the cab there was heat and I started plowing the drive. After about 100 yards of plowing the tractor spit and sputtered and then shutdown. Does this sound like a geld up line. I have been added diesel additive during every fill up. I am going to change the filter in the morning and see if I can run fuel through the line. Thanks for any thoughts.

jinman · Jan 21, 2011

I'm no expert of cold weather problems, but since you said "spit and sputtered" I'm thinking it is a fuel feed problem probably related to fuel gelling. I'd look closely at the filter.

dave1949 · Jan 21, 2011

Check this thread, could be your situation is similar:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/new-holland-owning-operating/193518-3040-stopped-running.html

Welcome to TBN!
Dave.

Jerry/MT · Jan 21, 2011

shawnd said:
Well it is a balmy 9 degrees here in the Catskills I went tonight and started the tractor and let it run 10 minutes while I took care of the horse. When I hoped in the cab there was heat and I started plowing the drive. After about 100 yards of plowing the tractor spit and sputtered and then shutdown. Does this sound like a geld up line. I have been added diesel additive during every fill up. I am going to change the filter in the morning and see if I can run fuel through the line. Thanks for any thoughts.

At that temperature, I doubt is was fuel gelling. It's most likely water in the fuel system freezing up at either the tank outlet or the fuel filter/water separator. It's pretty common with low temprature operation.

It's a good idea to keep your fuel tank full to reduce condensation and change the fuel filter(s) in late fall before the cold temperatures strike.

Drain your water separator/filter before and after each use and use something like PS WHite to help disperse the water in the fuel so the filter will take it out.

It's a lot easier to change a filter then deal with a glob of ice in the bottom of the fuel tank outlet when your a half mile from the house and in the middle of a blizzard.

It's a good idea to also keep an extra fuel filter on the shelf also.

Fuel gelling is a problem temperatures in the -30F to -40F range and you can help preclude that by using a good winter blend fuel or mixing two parts of #2diesel with one part #1 diesel. I generaly do the latter to be on the safe side. I feed round bales and the cows don't eat if the tractor doesn't run!

Jbrink64 · Jan 22, 2011

Exactly what Jerry/mt said.

I would add to check your fuel handling. Bulk tanks accumulating water. Fuel stored in buckets outside, etc. These are the #1 ways of getting water into a tractors fuel tank.

Ford850 · Jan 22, 2011

You said you add diesel additive at every fillup. Do you store untreated diesel in cans or tanks, and add the treatment as you fill your tractor's tank? If you do, that's the problem. ULSD and Bio blends gell at higher temps, expecially the Bio.

sweettractors · Jan 22, 2011

I would look for water in the fuel. Ken Sweet

shawnd · Jan 22, 2011

Thanks for all the feed back. There was water in the line and I was able to thaw it with the salamander and some 911. Also changed the filter. I keep the fuel in cans but when I filled them the last time the stations pump was slow so I have a eeling that some off the problem came from there. I have cut my fuel with kero and hope added dry gas hope this solves my issue.