What does your tractor start like in cold weather?

[stonypass]

My L4200 has no block heater, but I started it several times near 0F this winter.
(Enclosed unheated barn)

If I raise the throttle a bit and cycle the glow plugs twice, it fires with a moment or so of turning the key.
After another moment or two it's running smoothly, but I let it warm at mid throttle for 10 minutes or so to warm the hydraulic fluids. It will start with one glow plug cycle, but the first couple of seconds are smoother with two.

I've wondered about getting a magnetic block heater, but it doesn't seem to need one at any temperature we are likely to get. I'm normally only going to be on it a couple of times during the winter for a bit of snow plowing.

 

[PrairieSoul]

Next year, i'll be installing a "battery warmer blanket",
they use about 50 or 80 watts of power and keep your battery nice and warm.
Glow plugs and a good strong battery is all you should really need.
If she turns over fast, and the glow plugs have done their job, she'll start.

I use a battery blanket and a block heater.

I am a cheap S.O.B. and I do things as cheaply as possible. Where I live electricity costs 8 cents a killowatt. I want my tractor to outlive the period of time I can continue to live in the middle of nowhere. This past winter has seen many periods of near -40 temperatures. My plan has been to spend at least 16 cents ( 4 hours of electricity for 500 watts ) prior to each start of my tractor at low temperatures. Inside my enclosure,a cheap 10 x 20 Costco tent ( I put another tarp over top of the tent that I replace every 18 months due to sun rotting in order to allow the tent to live longer ) my engine and transmission rise to well above freezing before I start my tractor. Needless to say it starts easily but I still let it idle for at least 5 minutes before beginning to move it. I wait until the temperature gauge reads near normal temperatures and even then I engage the pto and cycle the hydraulics ( backhoe pads, chute rotation, lift the snowblower before heading out and moving snow.

I feel this 16 cents is a worthwhile waste of money. Other people may have higher costs of electricity but since you live somewhere much warmer a couple of hours will provide the same effect for the same cost.

 

[jaywdeee]

I've had my M5040 since 2007 and although it is garaged in an unheated building, it has never failed to start in temps as low as -30 degrees F. Once the glow plug light is out and the key is turned to start, the engine may not even make one rev before it's running. I just thought all Kubotas started this way. I only use highway fuel in the tractor with the seasonal additives.

 

[CalG]

I wish I could say he same jaywdeee!

The Mitsubishi K4FD engined Hurlimann starts right up....... until it gets below 20F.
Then, Extra ordinary measures are needed, hot air on the engine uppers and in the air intake. multiple heater cycles, prolonged cranking etc..

Still I've run down the battery. (funny how the battery charge interval allows the day to warm up enough where the engine fires right off ;-)

I'm fitting the lower radiator hose heater this summer in prep for next winter!

Something to be said for gas engines in "temperate" climates....;-)

 

[TomSeller]

I've had my M5040 since 2007 and although it is garaged in an unheated building, it has never failed to start in temps as low as -30 degrees F. Once the glow plug light is out and the key is turned to start, the engine may not even make one rev before it's running. I just thought all Kubotas started this way. I only use highway fuel in the tractor with the seasonal additives.

Impressive.

 

[k0ua]

I've had my M5040 since 2007 and although it is garaged in an unheated building, it has never failed to start in temps as low as -30 degrees F. Once the glow plug light is out and the key is turned to start, the engine may not even make one rev before it's running. I just thought all Kubotas started this way. I only use highway fuel in the tractor with the seasonal additives.

What I want to know is why some fire off like above, and some start like "the Freds L3940 " which is to say not at all.. My Kioit always fires with just a bump of the key, but some engines obviously don't. I haven't started below +9 F so I sure cant talk to -30F but at +9 it starts with just a bump of the key.

 

[k0ua]

I've had my M5040 since 2007 and although it is garaged in an unheated building, it has never failed to start in temps as low as -30 degrees F. Once the glow plug light is out and the key is turned to start, the engine may not even make one rev before it's running. I just thought all Kubotas started this way. I only use highway fuel in the tractor with the seasonal additives.

What I want to know is why some fire off like above, and some start like "the Freds L3940 " which is to say not at all.. My Kioit always fires with just a bump of the key, but some engines obviously don't. I haven't started below +9 F so I sure cant talk to -30F but at +9 it starts with just a bump of the key.