Tractor would'nt start today

billbill1 · Jan 18, 2007

Unfortunately, the cold always brings out the flaws in anything. Bad batteries, bad connections, gelled fuel, and poor hydraulic flow. I changed to a better battery without having a problem-cuz I didn't want a problem later. A lower radiator hose heater can help too, at least it does for me.

JoeL4330 · Jan 18, 2007

change the oil to synthetic 0W-something or 5W-something

Iplayfarmer · Jan 18, 2007

We hit -15 or so each night for a week or more. Highs were in the single digits. I froze my 5 month old battery solid. After a full day sitting inside the parts store the battery was still frozen.

They warrantied it no questions asked. They just earned my business for another few years.

I still haven't been out to install the new battery in the tractor yet. When it's this cold, it doesn't snow. When it doesn't snow I don't need to plow. When I don't need to plow I stay inside and read old threads on TBN. It's warmer that way.

cp1969 · Jan 18, 2007

George2615 said:
Second, the fuel gelled up. Apparently I did not have enough Service Power 911 mixed in even though I followed the guidelines on the bottle. Had to fire up the salamander heater and place it at the back of the tractor blowing heat underneath and put the battery on the charger. Went back in for coffee and read the morning paper. About an hour later it finally started so I added more SP additive and drove around for a while to get it into the fuel lines then parked it in the garage.

How did you know the fuel was gelled?

3RRL · Jan 18, 2007

GaryE said:
I change my battery every other year. Some think it is excessive, but it would have avoided some of your problems!

Good luck,

Gary

Gary,
With that in mind, every other year does not sound too excessive. It is good prevention for about $50 bucks a year I'd guess.

k6dyc · Jan 18, 2007

I don't know what they put in the red diesel here, but I have had no fuel gelling problems even without additives. The temps have been between minus 15 and minus 31

every night for well over a week, and the Toolcat (Kubota engine) started even without being plugged into the heater except for the coldest mornings.

It has been taking a long time to warm up and heat the cab, but I just sit inside and wait it out

.

john_bud · Jan 18, 2007

I guess that different parts of our great country have different expectations for cold. It was -18F the other morning and my son told me that it was his favorite temperature. (Huh?) He said, "The snow would be around longer". Can't argue with logic like that from a 7 hear old.

One tip from the frozen tundra, in the late fall run the tractor till the tank is nearly on fumes. Then fill up with winter blended fuel and add the recommended amounts of the White and Silver Powerserve additives. The while will keep you from gelling and the silver raises cetane which helps in cold starting.

George2615 · Jan 19, 2007

CP1969,
I knew the fuel gelled because I could see it in the plastic fuel filter bowl. It looked like grease stuck to the filter. Kinda looked like bacon fat grease once you drain it into a can and it cools down. A half hour with the salamander blowing under it re-liquified it so it would start.
I replaced the battery with the highest CCA capacity group 58 battery they had. 763 cranking amps at 32 deg. F. 610 Cold cranking amps at 0 deg F. About 100 more than the stock battery. Also put new ends on the cables since the original bolts were corroded. I just got in from plowing and snowblowing some driveways since we got about 8 inches of the white stuff today with more coming tonight.