Staring on diesel

plow hand · Apr 17, 2011

Looking for opinions on what it would take to start a WD-9 on diesel???instead of doing the switch over all the time.(gas to diesel)...thanks in advance..

Ohiohillbilly · Apr 17, 2011

We had a TD-6 for a while back when I was supid(er). I think the carb was bad so we would start it on ether. We would spray ether down the air intake and use our hand for a choke. once it got enough rpm push the lever and it would start after the third or twentieth time. Starter can't spin the motor in diesel mode so I guess the other option is to pull it. Just wasn't made for a direct start. I wish I could go back in time and smack myself for diong that to the old girl.

Janicholson · Apr 17, 2011

Pull starting is the only option, A diesel starter could be adapted, but there is no preheat system at all, so it is not really an option. Jim

rustred · Apr 17, 2011

basically you cant reinvent the wheel. ihc is famous for its gas start diesels which has worked very well over the years. there is nothing you can change that will work better then warming it on gas. keep that starting fluid for those old detroits and far away from these.the starter wont take the high compression cranking. they wont start till warm anyhow. even if you pulled it it would take 1 mile till the compression warmed the cyls. for it to start. they have no glow plugs. i guess if you wanted a direct start wd9 you could install a 282 in it. they will however direct start only immediatly after shut down.that is kinda hard on the starter also. starting these any other way is tractor abuse. so just keep your ignition in good condition and they are pretty reliable.

WOpp · Apr 17, 2011

I have pulled these tractors to start on diesel, the last one was a 650 pulled it about 50 feet after it sat for 7 or so yrs started right up. When theyu are good and warm theuy will start on diesel. Starting fluid is hugh no no on these engines.

Janicholson · Apr 17, 2011

With respect, The gas start diesel run tractors will not crank on diesel, Pulled yes, cranked just won"t happen. Jim

Wardner · Apr 17, 2011

With additional respect, I concur with everything WOpp wrote. But then again, maybe it only applies to 650s. Mine got pull started when I purchased it at auction. Fired right up in 30 feet. I have started mine when hot on Diesel.

rustred · Apr 17, 2011

with respect also,yes they crank on diesel. if you have the decompression lever switched to the diesel it will crank over just slower due to more compression.i have started mine many times on direct diesel BUT that is only very shortly after stopping it. it has to be hot to start it.the wd6 starts the same directly on diesel but it has to be to operating temp also. i can guarantee that they will not start in 30-50ft on your average morning temperature. they will though if you give them some starting fluid. have experienced this first hand.

randy hall · Apr 17, 2011

like rust red replied, they will start directly on the diesel side when they are already warmed up. why do you think ih put that big starter on it? a regular sized starter will turn it over on the gas side.

Farmall freak · Apr 17, 2011

I wonder if you could put a heater grid on the intake like a 5.9 cummins.

sflem849 · Apr 17, 2011

(quoted from post at 18:03:39 04/17/11) I wonder if you could put a heater grid on the intake like a 5.9 cummins.

I've heard of that.

I can't really turn my MD over one diesel with the starter. Never tried to pull it on diesel. Why would I when the gas start works perfectly fine.

mkirsch · Apr 18, 2011

This isn't a "purity" or "correct police" thing...

There simply is no PRACTICAL way to get these engines to "key" start on diesel, cold.

There are no easy, cheap fixes. If there were, every gas-start IH diesel owner would have made the conversion by now, and everyone would know how to change it over.

At minimum, you need to figure out how to get glow plugs installed in the head, but the head isn't designed for glow plugs. So that means designing and machining an entire new head for glow plugs.

Oh, it could be done, but do you have the time, knowledge, and money to do it? Even if you have the time, knowledge, and money, you need to sit down and determine if it's worthwhile.

Staring on diesel

plow hand

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Ohiohillbilly

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Janicholson

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rustred

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WOpp

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Janicholson

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Wardner

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rustred

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randy hall

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Farmall freak

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sflem849

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mkirsch

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