Starting in real cold weather

[Bearcatrp]

On vacation for 2 weeks in Caribbean. Allot of minus temps at home. I usually do 10 seconds on glow plugs when cold but should I do it twice before trying to start? Thanks

 

[L35]

I’ve done 2 glow plug cycles with no ill effect. Nothing wrong with doing that as long as your battery is up to the task.

 

[85Hokie]

Glow to a diesel is like coffee to a human - more is typically better when both are cold.

I would glow even more than 10 seconds. The air and head and cylinder will absorb that heat and it will allow the fuel to ignite much quicker and with less start up smoke.

Even a 30 second glow is fine - depending on battery and how cold everything is.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I would follow your manual but like others have said a little more will not hurt anything if battery etc... all in good condition.

 

[jaxs]

Block heater also helps.

 

[Dchemphill1]

Block heater is worth the investment!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

get a battery warmer too !!! Cold batteries don't have 100% juice to both spin and power .
rrr..rr.r.....

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

get a battery warmer too !!! Cold batteries don't have 100% juice to both spin and power .
rrr..rr.r.....

independent testing up here in Canada says cold weather saps 40% of battery range from electric vehicles. Starting batteries similar.

Cold saps up to 40% of EV battery life, CAA test finds

Cold weather has a negative effect on the battery life and range of electric vehicles (EVs), a recent test has found, but some EVs perform better than others.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[McMXi]

When I turn the key to the pre-heat position on either tractor, the glow plug light on the dash illuminates and then goes out 5 seconds or so later. This might be a dumb question but are the glow plugs still energized if the key is in the pre-heat position regardless of whether the light on the dash is illuminated? Intuitively I figured that the glow plugs are off once the light goes out, but I seem to remember this question popping up when I had the BX.

I use the block heaters all winter long but a battery warming jacket is a good idea.

 

[SDT]

On vacation for 2 weeks in Caribbean. Allot of minus temps at home. I usually do 10 seconds on glow plugs when cold but should I do it twice before trying to start? Thanks

Ten seconds is not enough in just about any temperature at which glow plugs are needed.

I've held glow plugs on for over a minute before at zero or below.

Not uncommon for older Kubota engines to need glow plugs at 50 F.

 

[SDT]

get a battery warmer too !!! Cold batteries don't have 100% juice to both spin and power .
rrr..rr.r.....

Bingo.

 

[bird dogger]

I would follow your manual but like others have said a little more will not hurt anything if battery etc... all in good condition.


View attachment 148173

Kubota should have extended that table downwards a few more rows. We're still having some -20°F and lower mornings here this February!!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Probably doesn't get too cold in Japan !
Light is in parallel with glowplugs, if it's off, glowplugs are off...if simple switch system. if it's 'computer' controlled, anyone's guess.
On my BX23S , glowplugs are ON when starting, according to the switch info in the wiring diagram.
Since I have hazards on, I preheat for 5 flashes, then start, in al 4 seasons. I can actually hear a difference when I don't follow my routine.

 

[Flintknapper]

Ten seconds is not enough in just about any temperature at which glow plugs are needed.

I've held glow plugs on for over a minute before at zero or below.
Not uncommon for older Kubota engines to need glow plugs at 50 F.

^^^^^

Agreed (at least with my L2350DT)

15-20 Seconds for temps around 40-50°F.

45-60 Seconds once temps get below freezing.

I have a block heater....I need get off my butt and install.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Got home overnight. Sure sucks coming home from 83 degrees to -15. What a wake up call. i did 10 seconds twice but wouldn’t start. Did it again twice, fired up. Thanks for all the replies folks.

 

[DustyRusty]

Don't forget to add a diesel fuel additive that prevents gelling of the fuel. I use Power Service in the white bottle. I just give the tank a splash every time I add fuel. I know that I am using more than it says on the directions, but it works and I have never had a problem starting my tractor, no matter how cold it is outside. My tractor lives outside and it needs to start when I need it to.

 

[airbiscuit]

I have block heater, but my previous tractor did not. My McGyver solution was to use a hair dryer. It worked great. i had also thought about getting a stick on silicone heater to put under the transmission to pre-heat the hydraulic fluid.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Don't forget to add a diesel fuel additive that prevents gelling of the fuel. I use Power Service in the white bottle. I just give the tank a splash every time I add fuel. I know that I am using more than it says on the directions, but it works and I have never had a problem starting my tractor, no matter how cold it is outside. My tractor lives outside and it needs to start when I need it to.

I do use that stuff. Never an issue when I had my rig. I trust this stuff.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

lots of great advice for cold weather starting.

And for the less experienced cold warriors out their its important to remember lots of these little gems are ADDITIVE in nature when helping us start in cold weather. In warm weather not being in great condition on only 1 or 2 of these may never be noticed. At -30 though you probably have to get them all close to right for success!

At least good and pref. great condition on all of these really helps. Miss one or a few and no start mondays might be in our future.

- A good conditioned battery thats is warm
- functioning block heater
- functioning glow plugs
- seasonally specific and properly treated fuel
- clean and tight battery cables not only at the battery but starter, grounds, etc... help
- stored indoor helps
- clean air filter helps
- seasonally specific oil helps ( 10w engine oil at -30 is really thick and dirty makes it worse)
- stored out of the wind
- etc...

so good enough in summer maybe nowhere close enough for good enough in winter! being weak on just a couple of maintenance items can mean a no start in cold weather.

 

[McMXi]

lots of great advice for cold weather starting.

And for the less experienced cold warriors out their its important to remember lots of these little gems are ADDITIVE in nature when helping us start in cold weather. In warm weather not being in great condition on only 1 or 2 of these may never be noticed. At -30 though you probably have to get them all close to right for success!

At least good and pref. great condition on all of these really helps. Miss one or a few and no start mondays might be in our future.

- A good conditioned battery thats is warm
- functioning block heater
- functioning glow plugs
- seasonally specific and properly treated fuel
- clean and tight battery cables not only at the battery but starter, grounds, etc... help
- stored indoor helps
- clean air filter helps
- seasonally specific oil helps ( 10w engine oil at -30 is really thick and dirty makes it worse)
- stored out of the wind
- etc...

so good enough in summer maybe nowhere close enough for good enough in winter! being weak on just a couple of maintenance items can mean a no start in cold weather.

View attachment 148412

Great post!

I've never owned or used a battery heating blanket but I've been looking at the ones sold under the Kat's brand. eTrailer.com sells them among others. I've always been able to start my tractors on very cold days, but as you say, once the holes in the Swiss cheese start to line up problems are more likely to occur.

It's a toasty 15F this morning and I have to move snow so plugged in the block heater about an hour ago. I'll wait another hour before I start the MX. My dog has a date with the vet to get her monthly Librela shot.