using glow plugs at start

[BlackOps]

stupid question - is it necessary to always sue the glow plugs to start your tractor? or once it is warm there is no need to? last Fall when i got the max 25 i had to move some wood and in between loading i shut it off. a few times it would not start until i went through the glow plugs cycle and figured that it was always necessary. But now i am thinking that that may not be correct?

 

[Agvg]

If it starts its no problem, suppose its a Indirect injection diesel, strange they don't use direct injection diesels.

 

[davesl708]

I always give the glow plugs at least 3-5 second hit up to 25 sec. depending on the temp. My starter never cranks more than 1 sec. before it starts.
Is it necessary? I think it puts less work on the starter and considering the cost of a starter worth the few seconds.

 

[Agvg]

Strange that starting diesels are so different, have two tractors that starts with no heating or glow plugs in -20c

 

[BlackOps]

more comments welcome please.... thanks for the responders too!

 

[teg]

I use glow plugs every time from a cold start. If the tractor is warm, truly warm, I just crank it.

As for unloading wood, I keep the tractor running unless it will be more than 15 minutes. One tractor at work, during the busy season. We start in the morning... and only shut it off when we are done with it. Yep even during lunch.

 

[k0ua]

On my Kioti the glow plug cycle is automatic. Controlled by a timer and a temperature sensor in the water jacket. It will not run the glow plug cycle if the water temperature is 86 f or above. So most of the time restarts are without glow plug activation. Unless the temp is very cold and the time is over an hour between starts. During the hottest part of summer, the cycle never runs unless you start early enough in the morning.

 

[BlackOps]

used it today to move come chips and the one time i stopped and then started it - i tried it without the glow plugs and it seemed to start OK. i may have been overdoing it with the glow plugs for the last year - could kick myself in the butt!

 

[DavesTractor]

BlackOps, I use the plugs as needed. Always on the first start of the day, and then if the tractor wants it. If it fires up quickly without the plugs, you are good to go. The Max25 is sure a great little tractor.

 

[4570Man]

If my tractor has been running within about 30 minutes it starts fine without glow plugs. If it is hot outside, but it hasn't been started already it needs glow plugs. I had a case 235 that never needed glow plugs. You could just turn the key and it would fire right up. It was a lawn mower tractor so no cold starts for it.