Thoughts on Cold Starting....

[rmonio]

Hello -

We finally got a good cold snap here in Minnesota (10 below zero+) and I neglected to plug in my heater(s) before I attempted to start the 4600. Needless to say the battery went from turning the motor over and coughing to a click-click... it's on the charger, should be fine, but I'm wondering what others (preferably in cold climates - and don't say MOVE /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif) do with their tractors in the winter to assure good starting... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Is it:
- install block and hydraulic heaters (like I did)
- park it in a warm garage (mine is in a pole barn)
- install some auxillary heating device near the unit?
- charge the battery when it's really cold?
- ...

Also - what did farmers do years ago when they had no heaters, electricity, or a barn to park in? It's times like these that make me wonder... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Bob

 

[art]

To keep the battery fully charged and warm keeps it at the fullest. I know that is what we do to the Kubotas to start them when the temps dip well below 0. The block heater should be plugged in an hour or so before trying to start. Lower weight oil should be used in the engine to make cranking easier as well as faster circulation to prevent dry starts.

 

[kevinj]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also - what did farmers do years ago when they had no heaters, electricity, or a barn to park in? It's times like these that make me wonder...
)</font>

We only used gasoline tractors in the winter. If your block heater works and the battery is good starting at -20 should not be a big problem unless you have gelled fuel. One thing missing from your list is premium diesel or fuel additive to control gelling and add cetane.

 

[slowrev]

Kevin,
Yes Diesel tractors are nice... except in the winter. Gas ones are best in winter though . A bit of choke and they fire right up. My old IH 2444 ususally turns less than one rev before firing up. No worrying about winter/summer fuel mixes and additives. I do use Stabil in my gas engines though to reduce carb cleanings.
On the diesel ones. Fuel additive, block heater, and trickle charger on the battery seem to be the best way to go in cold weather. I have had to use a kerosene torpedo heater to warm up a couple of diesels in cold weather though. Some of the older diesel tractors can be a real bear to start in cold weather.

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...

Using a full synthetic motor oil will likely help... better flow at cold temperatures...


Dave...

 

[BillyP]

Bob, did you use the manifold heater? You push the key in and hold it about 15 secs before trying to start. That, block heater on ahead of time and a good battery should be it.

I live in OK so never been bothered with cold weather starting.

 

[zuiko]

I've had pretty good luck with just the preheat for 10 seconds or so down to about 10 degrees. I plug it in if it's colder than that. I also have a 170k btu torpedo heater if it came to that... sure is great to have for working outside. Burns a lot more fuel than my tractor though, 1.1g per hour.

 

[johnbilt]

Hi

I live in the Matanuska Valley in Alaska. I have been running my tractor in 20 below weather. I keep the block and trans heater plugged in on a timer. I set it so that the heater comes on in the morning for about 3 hours.

I also had to add the fuel additive to avoid gelling. I used the the PowerService brand. Check powerservice.com

I use the startup procedure with the preheat and it starts right up. The battery has been OK. I suppose a trickle charger would be in order if you are losing voltage.

John

 

[Atch4115]

My wife's grandfather sold some of the first tractors in this area.He once told me they would drain the oil after running the tractor and take the oil in the house to keep it by the woodstove until they were ready to use the tractor again.Said they would spin right over and start in the coldest weather every time.

 

[RalphVa]

Vermonters used to put 1/3 to 1/2 kerosene in their diesel in winter to keep it from gelling. This was the only problem I had with starting my old 1973 220D in -22 weather in Vermont, with the engine heater. It would start immediately(after glow plugging with the old-fashioned glow plugs for a full minute) but would die a couple miles down the road. Let sit. Restart. Go another couple miles. Let sit. Restart, then fine. Fuel filter is mounted to the engine on Benzes. Took a while to warm it up.

I'd use 0Wxx or 5Wxx oil in the winter to help it turn over faster (think I had 10w40 in the Benz; couldn't get 5W or 0W back then).

Might want to try a light bulb placed in the vicinity of the fuel filter and engine oil sump and kept over night. Shield from any wind currents but beware of any cloth in the vicinity of the bulb.

Ralph