Plugging in thee ole diesel

OregonAaron · Nov 12, 2022

Here s a question that I m sure will have many answers. I have a JD 1520 diesel and it does not have glow plugs or any sort of starting aid. So when it gets cold it can take a bit of time to get her running. It was around 10 degrees F the other day and it took some cranking to get it running. I m not a fan of starting fluid so I get her running without it. So how many of y all keep the block heater plugged in all the time in the winter? Is there any drawbacks from doing this aside from the power bill? It does have quite a few hours on the engine, but when it s a tolerable temperature outside it starts and runs easily. I don t need the tractor for winter feeding of cattle so it does not get used all the time, but when I need it for snow plowing or any other reason it needs to be started reasonably soon- so I don t want to wait around for hours for the block heater. I do not have a shop to keep it in as this is ranch property with high desert range cattle on it. In the winter I park it next to a power pole that supplies power to the well. Yes, I cover it to keep moisture/snow off of it. Last winter I kept it plugged in all winter.

Janicholson · Nov 12, 2022

With a high amp rated timer, you cam plug it in when there is a forecast of snow/need and have it start and warm the engine to start hours in advance. Make sure it is easy to set the time On/off. Some are too tender or difficult when cold. Jim

rustred · Nov 12, 2022

i plug my 560 ih in the night before, or on warmer days about 3-4 hrs before i need to use it. i have run it in -30 and it starts just like
in the summer. about 3 turns and its running. plus i have 15-40 oil in it with an oil pan heater also. they dont need to plugged in steady,
i am more worried about burning the circulating heater out as i did that last winter.

super99 · Nov 12, 2022

I just plug my Oliver 1850 in the day before I want to use it, works good. But I must admit to the weatherman missing the forecast and leaving it plugged in for a few days from time to time.

Lumbersawyer · Nov 12, 2022

I use my 4010D for plowing snow. I plug it in about 4 hrs ahead if not below zero. If it is below zero I plug it in overnight when I need to plow in the morning.

coonie minnie · Nov 12, 2022

We have had 300 and 400 industrial Deeres like that here in WI. The 300 is basically a 1020, the 400 a 2020. With a good block heater, say 750 watt, those can be start ready in an hour or two, maybe longer
if something like -20. We frequently use timers on tractors in the winter so they are ready in the morning, but not not on all night.

So if you can plan ahead a bit, an hour or two of heating will work wonders. Or if only using a certain time of day, a timer can cut your electric bill.

You have options. Let your needs help you decide.

guido · Nov 12, 2022

OregonAaron,

No need to keep it plug then 24/7. PLug it in long enough before you need to use it. If you can bring the temperature of your
tractor to at least 10 above, looks like it will start.

Warmer then that is much better of course. Starting fluid is really a good starting aid , if used correctly. I thing it has a
bad rap mostly because it is overused.

Electronically controlled diesel engines also control the amount of either, if so equipped, about 6cc.

About a blink of an eye or two squirt is probably that much,

Guido.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 12, 2022

I use timers.

jhwis · Nov 13, 2022

Depending on temp...I plug mine in for 1-2
hours before use.

Centerplate · Nov 13, 2022

I am like Bob Bancroft and use time clocks. I like to use good ones made by Paragon to start the loader and mixer tractor. A couple hours plugged in they start very well. In minus 5 to minus 25 I set them for three to four hours heat time.

rusty6 · Nov 13, 2022

If you have a big enough block heater it should not need more than an hour to get a small diesel ready to start in the cold. My old Massey with the 300 Perkins diesel will be ready to roll in less than an hour with that 1500 watt block heater plugged in. I would not leave a big one like that plugged in all the time as it eats up a lot of electricity plus there is some danger of fire from them. Cords get bad, short out, burn down the tractor and maybe the whole shed full of stuff. Gotta go. Mines had an hour and a half and its a little above zero this morning.

OregonAaron · Nov 13, 2022

Thanks for the responses. It s one of those dumb things that I just wondered what other folks did.

dpendzic · Nov 13, 2022

My Caterpillar operators manual for my D3B calls for a 3 sec max blast of either

fdt860 · Nov 13, 2022

My 2020 built in Germany has a thermostat plug.
This is very unexpensive to install and it really helps starting.
It will make the tractor starts instantly down to minus 10F, but you will still need coulpe attempts below that, or plug it.

Plugging in thee ole diesel

OregonAaron

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Janicholson

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rustred

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super99

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Lumbersawyer

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coonie minnie

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guido

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Bob Bancroft

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jhwis

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Centerplate

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rusty6

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OregonAaron

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dpendzic

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fdt860

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