Glo Plug Cold weather

[mrcarnage2]

Make a quick video of it cranking and starting, post it on youtube and give us a link to see it, then we might be able to give you a better determination if you have a real issue or not and where to go next.

I'm with Idaho. If your tractor is turning over slow and having a hard time starting in 50 degree temps, I doubt it has anything to do with oil. It sounds like your battery. if your battery is week it may not be warming up the glow plugs like it should its also causing it to turn over slow. I would get the battery tested or look at getting a new one.

 

[rjcorazza]

A lot of good information posted...
My take is similar to others that the oil weight is resulting in a slower cranking engine. I run 5w40 year round, and also pre-heat with a block heater when it’s cold.
Also, consider that even new batteries will loose 50-60% capacity at 0 deg f.


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[lugbolt]

Cold batteries crank over slower.

Did I read that right? 15w40 in the transmission? If so, that's no bueno. (could have misread).

They crank over slower in cold weather. Pretty much normal for about everything, unless it's got a block heater and a battery heater.

 

[beaterboss]

Single digits up here lately. I did notice the 3901 cranking over slowly as well. Remembered that Dealer did the 50 hour service, and put 15/40 conventional oil in it in Summer. Well, well, can't have that. So with 94 hours on the ticker last week, I did an oil and filter change again, using Rotella T6 5/40. Night and day. Spins over now in cold weather like it does when its 70 degrees out. Was the same for my 2501 last year too. World of difference. I have never plugged a tractor in in my life, but I think I may do it with this 3901, just to get her warmed up a little faster. My tractor came with the block heater already installed, but I have yet to use it. 14 below this morning and she started up like a champ anyway without being plugged in.

 

[troverman]

...Remembered that Dealer did the 50 hour service, and put 15/40 conventional oil in it in Summer. Well, well, can't have that. So with 94 hours on the ticker last week, I did an oil and filter change again, using Rotella T6 5/40. Night and day. Spins over now in cold weather like it does when its 70 degrees out....

I'm amazed that dealer after dealer insists on running the 15w40 oil. In Kubota's own Owner's Manual, it states 15w40 is only good down to 22F (-6C). Well, it frequently gets a lot colder than that around here...last winter we saw -22F (-30C). So if I needed to use the tractor in those temps, the oil the dealer literally insisted I use would not be remotely protecting the engine from wear at startup and the first few minutes of running. Nope, I chose 10w30 this time. Even that doesn't reach down to -22, but it is closer. The side benefit is that it also causes the engine to be more fuel efficient.

 

[beaterboss]

I have no qualms with the 5/40 ESPECIALLY in Winter. -16f this morning and even without being plugged in, she spun over like in Summer. Tractor runs much smoother too and is much quieter. I trust the Rotella very much. All of the farm equipment I have used throughout my life has run Rotella in one form or another, and I have never seen any oil related engine issues.

 

[troverman]

I have no qualms with the 5/40 ESPECIALLY in Winter. -16f this morning and even without being plugged in, she spun over like in Summer. Tractor runs much smoother too and is much quieter. I trust the Rotella very much. All of the farm equipment I have used throughout my life has run Rotella in one form or another, and I have never seen any oil related engine issues.

Big difference between 5w40 and 15w40. Kubota doesn't recommend 5w40 as far as I know. Multi-weight oils with a big gap between viscosities tend to have less sheer resistance in warm temperatures. I agree with you on Rotella. I put T6 in both my 6.7L Powerstroke and 6.7L Cummins pickups.

 

[Fido Farms]

I use Duron 5-40 synthetic all year long here in Sask. If it seems to turn over slower than you think try boosting it and see if helps.. Like said before its probably ur battery CCA is not enough for that cold with out external heater.

 

[beaterboss]

Big difference between 5w40 and 15w40. Kubota doesn't recommend 5w40 as far as I know. Multi-weight oils with a big gap between viscosities tend to have less sheer resistance in warm temperatures. I agree with you on Rotella. I put T6 in both my 6.7L Powerstroke and 6.7L Cummins pickups.

I had contacted Kubota Canada directly through email, and posed that very question. Their response was that seeing continual use in below zero-f (-17c respectively), there was no problem using the 5/40. The problem arises when you run 5/40 in Summer heat, which I dont do anyway. I always change my oil to lower or higher viscosity depending on the presumed or expected operating conditions. I know some folks like to run their oil as long as they can, and there is no problem with that. I personally dont care about a "Short Time Span" between changes...be it 200 or 20 hours. I change my oil according to what temperatures I expect on operating in. Oil is pretty cheap compared to rebuilds. But you are absolutely right Troverman with what you are saying. I would never even consider running 5/40 in Summer.

 

[Fido Farms]

That's interesting. My email to Kubota they just referenced the manual and said contact the dealer if I had any questions. A Majority of the transport truck/Farmer operations I know use only 5-40 all year long. Its approved by pretty much all major engine manufacturers. As is always known the most wear on your engine is at start up so thicker is not necessarily better. I'm sure 5-40 has better sheer resistance than Kubota recommended 10-30 would u not agree? I guess I'll keep using 5-40 and we can compare notes in a few years. I'm sure as long at it gets changed regularly the engines should run forever. Happy tractoring to all and to all Merry Christmas.........

 

[Fido Farms]

I know still yapping but no matter which oil you have in, if your tractor engine is operating at temperature the oil is just as hot on a 10 Degree day as it is on a 70 Degree day so your switching for temperatures is kinda irrelevant I believe, other than getting better lubrication at start up. Ho Ho Ho..

 

[dlundblad]

I had contacted Kubota Canada directly through email, and posed that very question. Their response was that seeing continual use in below zero-f (-17c respectively), there was no problem using the 5/40. The problem arises when you run 5/40 in Summer heat, which I dont do anyway. I always change my oil to lower or higher viscosity depending on the presumed or expected operating conditions. I know some folks like to run their oil as long as they can, and there is no problem with that. I personally dont care about a "Short Time Span" between changes...be it 200 or 20 hours. I change my oil according to what temperatures I expect on operating in. Oil is pretty cheap compared to rebuilds. But you are absolutely right Troverman with what you are saying. I would never even consider running 5/40 in Summer.

That’s interesting. My local dealer even sells Kubota 5w40.

5w40 is my go to in my G garden tractors, but I could see a dealer pitching a fit if there happened to be engine issues while under warranty and using something not on the manual..

Fun fact. The L2501 has a CF requirement (among more current specs), which Mobil 1 0w40 meets. Interesting..

 

[Fido Farms]

Well it is recommended not mandatory for warranty. As long as the oil meets the cf/ck specs which they do. I know in the VW diesel I had u had to use a specific brand because they were the only one that had the Specific VW spec.. It will be an interesting conversation coming up I'm sure..

 

[beaterboss]

I know still yapping but no matter which oil you have in, if your tractor engine is operating at temperature the oil is just as hot on a 10 Degree day as it is on a 70 Degree day so your switching for temperatures is kinda irrelevant I believe, other than getting better lubrication at start up. Ho Ho Ho..

Ahh..Yes, very true. But it is the cold starts until warmed up to temp that worry me somewhat. I can't remember when I ran more than 80 hours on the same oil in ANY piece of equipment I have ever owned. I'm kind of a "Maintenance Psycho" so to speak. I tend to over maintain my stuff, because I just like to get my hands dirty.

 

[Fido Farms]

I agree. When I farmed 100hr oil change always. For me 400hr Kubota oil change is way worse than 5-40 oil conspiracy theory issues. Ha Ha. Mine will get 100hr or once every two year changes minimum. Same for trans. (HST). Probably at 100hr and then its good for 400hrs. for on the Hydro. Like everyone agrees regular changes mean long life usually..

 

[Smokeless]

Make a quick video of it cranking and starting, post it on youtube and give us a link to see it, then we might be able to give you a better determination if you have a real issue or not and where to go next.

Ok,, been awhile. Been under the weather and I had to wait till we had some cold weather.

Ran one video at 60 degrees, no need to post, barely turned one revolution and she cranked right up.

The following two were taken on 20 degree weather. It did start after several revolutions but I did not let it run up to temp for some goofy reason.

So I went back to try again in just a few seconds and no soap.

Remember, I took the battery to have it checked and they said A OK.

SO I took it back again, got a different tech and a different answer.

first time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_yVjux4614

went back few seconds later to run it up to temp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXh4oy6mhww

It is all fixed and I see the thread had allot of oil interest. Still running 15-40 for this midwest area, dealer said ok until I move to the bush

Anyway, fixed was a new battery.

THANK TO ALL THAT HELPED WITH INPUTS, APOLOGIZE FOR WASTING YOUR TIME, BUT i AM SMARTER.

 

[troverman]

Thanks for taking the time to post the vids. That definitely is not normal and would seem like the battery is indeed the culprit (and turned out it was!).

Glad you got it fixed.

 

[Smokeless]

Thanks for taking the time to post the vids. That definitely is not normal and would seem like the battery is indeed the culprit (and turned out it was!).

Glad you got it fixed.

ME TO, THANKS. for over 4 decades I have been nursing 40's and 50's tractors. No power steering, trip buckets, etc.

My wife said quit spending all your time working on old tractors. She has been pushing me towards a new one for years, so I did in excess of $20K

Came in that cold morning and told her we spent all the money and I am still working on tractors. I was really baffled when they first tested the battery and said it was ok...did not make sense to me but they are the pros. WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES.

Anyway I am ready for the dreaded S word day....hope so...I still like this tractor

 

[troverman]

I think if you posted that video right off, we all would have immediately said "battery!"

It's sometimes hard to explain something in the form of text. The videos were great.

Given the low hours and short time you've owned the tractor...did the dealer give you another free of charge?

Very odd...factory Kubota batteries are known for lasting a long time. As I mentioned, the original Kubota battery in my 2002 L4310 GST lasted 16 years!!! Even the dealer was shocked. My 2013 B2920 still has the original battery as well with over 500 hours on it.

My 2018 MX4800 (which I bought in July of this year) has 74 hours on it as well now, no battery issues. I'm hoping to get 10 years from it's original battery.

 

[Smokeless]

I think if you posted that video right off, we all would have immediately said "battery!"

It's sometimes hard to explain something in the form of text. The videos were great.

Given the low hours and short time you've owned the tractor...did the dealer give you another free of charge?

Very odd...factory Kubota batteries are known for lasting a long time. As I mentioned, the original Kubota battery in my 2002 L4310 GST lasted 16 years!!! Even the dealer was shocked. My 2013 B2920 still has the original battery as well with over 500 hours on it.

My 2018 MX4800 (which I bought in July of this year) has 74 hours on it as well now, no battery issues. I'm hoping to get 10 years from it's original battery.

Yes, they warranted the battery, no money changed hands. I have 76 or so hours on my machine, two regens.