cold weather starting question

[DaTow'd]

Our older grey market 1808dt has started in all weather until this week.
Heavy snow and a coating of ice on everything
I'd use the glow plug and compression release smoke but no start
next day I'd pack a fresh battery out to the field and try again smoke but no start
next day another fresh battery I jumped the glow plugs with a jumper cable from the battery and it started right up.
After plowing I took it to the shop and hooked up a 12v test light to the glow plug cross over wire and found that I was twisting the glow plug switch too far to the left and in a dead zone now I just go all the way to the left then bring it back a little.
I've never seen the glow plug indicator turn red on the dash.

After that little lesson it starts on the first time in the coldest weather
keep warm
Hank

 

[coachgeo]

...took it to the shop and hooked up a 12v test light to the glow plug cross over wire and found that I was twisting the glow plug switch too far to the left and in a dead zone now I just go all the way to the left then bring it back a little.
I've never seen the glow plug indicator turn red on the dash.

After that little lesson it starts on the first time in the coldest weather
keep warm
Hank

ahhhh vewy intawesting. Worn switch making contact sooner than you think. Will check that too. Thanx.

 

[Tooljunkie]

I would suggest a bulb of some kind connected to glow plug circuit, a tell-tale that lets you know GP's are powered. My GP coil glows after 30 seconds, cant see it in the sun.

 

[Who is John Galt]

Hey Fellas . . I was looking at the KATS/ Five Star application guide/Catalog here:

http://fivestarmanufacturing.com/getdoc/2c8a6911-c214-4190-9059-d6aaa10fe527/DC12.aspx

. . I do not see a radiator hose heater listed for the Kubota L series (page 24) . . . only the freeze plug one . .

Am I missing something here?

 

[coachgeo]

Hey Fellas . . I was looking at the KATS/ Five Star application guide/Catalog here:

http://fivestarmanufacturing.com/getdoc/2c8a6911-c214-4190-9059-d6aaa10fe527/DC12.aspx

. . I do not see a radiator hose heater listed for the Kubota L series (page 24) . . . only the freeze plug one . .

Am I missing something here?

Have you searched yet? Reason I ask is this might be already answered in another thread. Seen a few lately about inlines and freeze plug heaters. do you have an OLD L model (70's?) like the L225

Going deeper might answer your question. Sorry I'm not knowledgeable enough myself yet to answer you though. Can raise a question that might lead to your answer... is there is enough differences in the old L series and the present day L series to have aftermarket catalogs like the one you linked be irrelevant to the older L's? Might make an interesting new thread topic to fish this sorta thing that out.

Other wise guess you would go with an over the counter generic unit from your auto parts dealer. This is what the ones buried in my cabin are.

 

[Tomcat]

ahhhh vewy intawesting. Worn switch making contact sooner than you think. Will check that too. Thanx.

Good thing to look into - switch contacts tend to get corroded over time.

 

[Tomcat]

Forgot to add to my previous post - there was some sort of spray for contacts on switches etc. Can't remember the name but it worked magic on corroded contacts.

 

[Daren Todd]

Forgot to add to my previous post - there was some sort of spray for contacts on switches etc. Can't remember the name but it worked magic on corroded contacts.

Contact cleaner crc and a few other brands out there, it's by the brake cleaner at the auto parts store

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Hey Fellas . . I was looking at the KATS/ Five Star application guide/Catalog here:

http://fivestarmanufacturing.com/getdoc/2c8a6911-c214-4190-9059-d6aaa10fe527/DC12.aspx

. . I do not see a radiator hose heater listed for the Kubota L series (page 24) . . . only the freeze plug one . .

Am I missing something here?

Look on page 75, and read the warnings, that is probably why they don't recommend them for use on Kubota's.

 

[sawmill]

I use a little 200watt magnet heater, stick it on my oil pan and it starts right up even at -20F. I leave it it on when not using the tractor. I use one on my jeep also. Just stick it on the thermostat housing. Works great. They don't use much power. Just gotta make sure to remove before start-up.