Operating glow plugs on L3710?

[unioncreek]

On the B7100’s I ran in the 80’s you turned the key counter-clockwise for the glow plugs. On the L3710 do you just turn the key counterclockwise one click for the glow plugs. The glow plug light comes on but just for about 10 seconds. Is this normal?
Bob

 

[Mrlunchbox]

Sounds about right

 

[imnukensc]

Should be 4 positions: OFF, ON (or RUN), GLOW, START

 

[unioncreek]

There’s just three positions: off, run and start.
Bob

 

[g_man]

I believe that is the same series and vintage as my L3010. When you click from off to on the glow plugs come on. There is a temperature controlled timer that determines how long they are on. When the glow plug light goes out start the tractor. 10 seconds seems normal for cool but not frigid temperatures.

Does it start right up like it should - that will tell you a lot.

This is not published but if you need more glow plug time you can manually control it by putting the steering column shift in forward then turn the key to start. It won't crank and the glow plugs will come on. The glow plug light will NOT come on. Hold the switch on start for as long as you want the glow plugs on then put the shift in neutral and it will turn the glow pulls off, crank, and start.

gg

 

[unioncreek]

Right now the temps are around 30-35. You have to crank the tractor quite a bit to get it started. I have to look if there is a heater on it, haven't seen a cord yet. What kind of heater is normally put on the Kubota?

Bob

 

[fried1765]

Right now the temps are around 30-35. You have to crank the tractor quite a bit to get it started. I have to look if there is a heater on it, haven't seen a cord yet. What kind of heater is normally put on the Kubota?

Bob

Most likely a "block heater", where a corded heat element has replaced an engine block freeze plug.

If not that, probably a lower radiator hose inline coolant heater.

 

[unioncreek]

Ill have to look today. I prefer the freeze plug type.

Bob

 

[g_man]

Right now the temps are around 30-35. You have to crank the tractor quite a bit to get it started. I have to look if there is a heater on it, haven't seen a cord yet. What kind of heater is normally put on the Kubota?

Bob

On my L3010 at those temps the glow plugs are on about 5 seconds and it starts right up. To be sure I just tried it. It's 35* and they were on 4 seconds. Two cranks and running. Tractor has 2000 hrs. Maybe weak glow plugs or something else going on.
Mine has a block heater.

gg

 

[Russell King]

You may be able to get operators manual and work shop here Kubota books

 

[g_man]

I should mention there is a quirky thing with the block heater on those. I use the block heater when it gets down below 15* F or so. BUT the glow plug time runs off of the water temperature. So using the block heater shortens the glow plug time because it thinks it is hot out. The warm motor block makes it turn over much better but you need warm intake or air for it to start good. That is why the unpublished manual control I mentioned above is good to know about.

gg

 

[tbk5]

You can also manually repeat the glow plug cycle before starting. Off-on-off-on-start. wait for the glow plug light to turn off before cycling.

 

[fried1765]

On my L3010 at those temps the glow plugs are on about 5 seconds and it starts right up. To be sure I just tried it. It's 35* and they were on 4 seconds. Two cranks and running. Tractor has 2000 hrs. Maybe weak glow plugs or something else going on.
Mine has a block heater.

gg

I think "block heater" says it all!

 

[g_man]

I think "block heater" says it all!

I wasn't using the block heater in that little test start. Not nearly cold enough yet. I was just mentioning that I had one as he was wondering what people used for starting aid heaters.

gg

 

[Grandad4]

You can also manually repeat the glow plug cycle before starting. Off-on-off-on-start. wait for the glow plug light to turn off before cycling.

Did this with my L4610 whenever temp was down in the teens or below. The second glow cycle made sure the engine fired up right away with virtually no extra cranking. Adding a diesel fuel conditioner like Power Service white not a bad idea for winter also.

 

[N3BP]

I wasn't using the block heater in that little test start. Not nearly cold enough yet. I was just mentioning that I had one as he was wondering what people used for starting aid heaters.

gg

MY L3010 and L2900 are the same way. It's impressive how quick they fire off in the cold. Makes you wonder if the OP's glow plug controller is working properly.

If you want to install a block heater, I recommend an OEM Kubota part# 700000-00297

 

[unioncreek]

When I turn the key to run the “Glow Plug” light comes on for 5-10 seconds. Is there any way to test if the glow plugs are working?

it’s been around 30 degrees and I haven’t been using the tractor a lot. I just want to make sure it will start if I need it to move snow.
Bob