Winter starting problems tx1500/tx1300

[marcelPL]

Like every winter i have problems starting both my iseki tx1300 and tx1500. Temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius now (=32 fahrenheit)

I fully charged both batteries. Also i have placed an extra ground cable from battery to the starter engine.

Still both machines will not start. Cranking is way to slow. One crank per 1,5 second.

Any ideas what i can do about it?

thx
M.

 

[RjCorazza]

Some options are:
Add a freeze plug type block heater
Add a battery heater blanket
Keep the battery on trickle charge
Change engine oil to a lower "W"inter rating (ie: 0w30)
Also consider load testing the battery to ensure it's not nearing end of life.

 

[seville009]

Use a booster on the battery to start it; if there is a noticeable difference in how it starts, then I’d put a new battery in.

 

[Dman1981]

Back on the farm when it got below -20 we
Would start a small fire under em
Cows were happy they got fed

 

[thepumpguysc]

Yes.. “hot” batteries are a must..a booster box is a life saver.!!
And I’ll betcha the oil is like syrup at those temps.. change to lower grade for winter..
Basically, do everything as previously suggested.. lol
Only thing I can suggest is, bump the throttle OFF OF IDLE..3/4 is usually enough.
Good luck

 

[Jimbo16720]

I have an Iseki and it starts great in winter. Don't even use the glow plugs. Make sure your battery connections on starter are clean and a lighter grade oil helps. I replaced my battery 2 yrs ago and replaced the positive cable to a heavier one and cleaned it all up.

 

[marcelPL]

Some options are:
Add a freeze plug type block heater
Add a battery heater blanket
Keep the battery on trickle charge
Change engine oil to a lower "W"inter rating (ie: 0w30)
Also consider load testing the battery to ensure it's not nearing end of life.

This freeze plug type block heater sounds interesting. Did some google...

But should this be attached in some specific location? Do the iseki engines have some designated place for this? I checked the manuals, but cannot find anything on it...?

I already take out the batteries on both iseki's in winter, and keep them on trickle charge. And they are both less than 2 years old.

This load testing is also something i will look at. Not sure if my multimeter has this option , but it sounds interesting.

Thx!!

 

[marcelPL]

Only thing I can suggest is, bump the throttle OFF OF IDLE..3/4 is usually enough.
Good luck

What do you mean with 'bump off idle'? Sorry i am not native speaking english, my bad...

 

[marcelPL]

Use a booster on the battery to start it; if there is a noticeable difference in how it starts, then I’d put a new battery in.

Ok thanks, here is something i can start with. At least this will not cost me an arm and a leg. Already spent way too much money on these iseki's

 

[thepumpguysc]

“Bump off idle” simply means, raise the rpm’s/throttle off of low idle position before starting..
Hope these suggestions help get you going..

Here in the U.S. we have a discount tool store that sells tools mainly from overseas manufacturers..
You can buy a battery load tester for $25.00.. which is very inexpensive..yet simple to use..

 

[marcelPL]

“Bump off idle” simply means, raise the rpm’s/throttle off of low idle position before starting..
Hope these suggestions help get you going..

Here in the U.S. we have a discount tool store that sells tools mainly from overseas manufacturers..
You can buy a battery load tester for $25.00.. which is very inexpensive..yet simple to use..

I always put the throttle wide open when starting. That's not good?

And any example of some battery load tester? I thought my multimeter could do it, but now i am not sure anymore...

thx again,
M.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Throttle wide open is how I would do it too..

Do a search for: “battery load tester”..

 

[goeduck]

I use a simple resistance battery tester. Anything you can do to get the engine warm, the better.

 

[thepumpguysc]

That’s what I was talking about..
I used mine just this morning.. my neighbor had battery problems, turned out the alternator wasn’t charging his battery..
That tester has a charging checker also..
They sit around and collect dust, but when u need it, u sure are glad u have it..

 

[marcelPL]

Well you all convinced me . Yesterday i ordered both a battery tester, and a battery booster. Both will probably be here in the coming week.

Another thing i found: i checked the manuals that i have, looking for what type of battery is recommended by iseki.

Strange enough there is nothing there. The only classification of the battery is 'NS60', which is only about the size i think.

I also learned about CCA, and what it means. I checked one of my (i have four by now ) batteries, and this has CCA of only 330. This should be much higher in cold areas, right? So this means that i have always bought the wrong type of battery?

thx again,
M.

 

[marcelPL]

I have an Iseki and it starts great in winter. Don't even use the glow plugs. Make sure your battery connections on starter are clean and a lighter grade oil helps. I replaced my battery 2 yrs ago and replaced the positive cable to a heavier one and cleaned it all up.

Can I ask what battery you have put in? And what type of iseki you have?

Thx,
M.

 

[thclimer]

Can I ask what battery you have put in? And what type of iseki you have?

Thx,
M.

Purchase a battery with the most CCA that will fit in the space you have, the more CCA the better. My two 30 Hp tractors have batteries with 580 and 680 CCA. You will never be disappointed that you bought the largest battery you could fit in your space.

 

[goeduck]

If you order what the manufacture says fits, you will likely get a pencil post style (far right in the attached picture). They were popular in Japan back then. I found out the hard way. SAE is what is standard here (far left). Fortunately, I was able to find SAE to Pencil adapters. I would measure the space you have and go buy the largest you can find with the correct posts as thclimer says.

 

[Jimbo16720]

Can I ask what battery you have put in? And what type of iseki you have?

Thx,
M.

The battery came from Napa size 51f....the model tractors I have are listed under my profile pic to left.

 

[suntreemcanic]

I had a TX1500 for about 20 years. It would not start in cold weather even with glow plugs. A battery out of an 86 V-8 Mustang will just fit with a little help and covering the battery terminals when installed. Be sure to replace battery cables with larger ones. Even with a bigger battery it will not start at 10 below. Get a good block heater recirculating type from NAPA. One hose into the block drain the other hose into the temp sender light on the thermostat housing. A thousand watt heater will heat up the block in 35 minutes to about 80 degrees. The tractor will then start just the same as an 80 degree day in summer. After doing away with high temp warning light I taped a hoe in the thermostat housing and installed an electric temp gauge. You just have to plan a little ahead before you can get the tractor started.