last winter I bought an '09 M7040 for plowing 2km of cottage road here in NS and from the start, when the temp dips below freezing the starter would whine upon turning the key but would not engage the flywheel. I had to use a heat gun on the starter/selenoid (with hammer tapping) and the bendix would release and it would engage and start after a few minutes. I didn't want that hassle this winter so I had the starter removed and it was faulty on a bench test with a lot of moisture inside. Replaced with a new one ( and new battery and block heater ) and after the first cold day the exact same problem ....apparantly moisture gets inside somehow and freezes up . Needed the heat gun again . I returned and replaced the starter with a third one and after three freezing days it is back to the same whining with the turn of the key. Now i store the heat gun in the cab. The local dealer has no answer. We are getting another 40-60 cm tonite and I dread the thought of fighting with it again in the morning . Any ideas?
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I have a 2012 M7040 in snowy Ontario. Blow snow all the time and never had a starter freezing issue. Are you storing your tractor under cover. Mine is an an open sided shed so it gets cold but not rained or snowed on until I need it.
When you start it do you follow the warm up procedure in the owner's manual which has you leave it running for a long time at about 1,500 rpm to thoroughly warm up the hydraulics and engine. I know your problem is starting but perhaps something else you are doing is creating or allowing the moisture to get inside and remain to freeze.
With the block heater you need to know a trick to get the engine to fire immediately. The block heater warms the block and the glow plug computer thinks it is warm outside and gives little to no glow plug time. Then when you crank the engine, it is inhaling very cold air and takes time to start.
The trick for the glow plugs goes like this. Put the shuttle lever in forward and turn the key to start position. I count to 10 and then release key from start, move the shuttle to neutral and start the engine. It fires instantly with no cranking. Nothing appears on the dash to let you know the glow plugs are heating but once you try this trick once you will be convinced.
I came back to edit my post after thinking of a simple short term fix for you. Silicone pad heater.
The one in the photo I bought to stick on my portable generator to make it easier to start when cold.
It measures 9 cm x 3 cm and stick on to anything clean.
You could stick it to the starter solenoid and run it like the block heater. It only has to get it above freezing. To much wattage and you risk cooking it.
This link is to a Canadian company selling them.
https://www.dieselproducts.com/en/engine-protection-and-control/engine-heaters/oil-pan-heaters.aspx
Do you need any manuals. Owners, FEL, WSM.? Send me a pm.
Dave M7040