Getting a 730 diesel started

KenL · Mar 31, 2017

Need a little help. A guy called me and asked if I would help a friend of his get a 730 diesel that he just bought started. I haven't seen it yet and I have never worked on one. They don't know how long it's been sitting. They can't even tell me if it's electric or pony start. I'm just wondering if there is anything to look out for and what the proper procedure is for trying to start a 730 that may have been sitting a few years. Thanks.

BushogPapa · Mar 31, 2017

Maybe pull-starting it will be the easiest..to see if it will run..

Allow the engine to spin enough to get good oil pressure before you drop the hammer on the compression lever..

Diesel is good about setting for years and still starting well..as long as no air is in the fuel system..

BushogPapa · Mar 31, 2017

Maybe pull-starting it will be the easiest..to see if it will run..

Allow the engine to spin enough to get good oil pressure before you drop the hammer on the compression lever..

Diesel is good about setting for years and still starting well..as long as no air is in the fuel system..

Course, you could use a flat belt and start it with the clutch-drum by Belting it..

David from Kansas · Mar 31, 2017

If it is pony start, DO NOT jump with a 12V battery as it is a 6V system and if not already bad, it will burn out the coils on the pony motor which cost about $120 to replace. If it is electric direct start, it will have either 4 6V or 2 12V batteries to make it a 24V starting system. Like others have suggested, it may be best to gently tow start it. Put the transmission in 5th or 6th gear so it will turn over easier, and use the decompression lever, let it turn over long enough to get the engine oil pressure up, then release the decompression lever, push the throttle lever open a little and see what happens. Good luck.

Mike M · Mar 31, 2017

I'd check the fluid levels first. Add if needed. Make sure it has fuel in it and make sure the engine turns over too. And then pull start it. I have pull started many that have sat for years.

buickanddeere · Mar 31, 2017

Less chance of smashing something if the steps in the operator's manual are followed.
As for pull starting, a reciepe for disaster. If the 70 starts and takes a snort forward gaining on the tow tractor. The driver will out of habit pound down the left brake pedal and ignore the clutch handle .
The swerve left will be nust about as damaging as if the "left" had won the last election.

old popper · Mar 31, 2017

Rather than pull start, I would recommend a flat belt from another tractor. That has always worked for me.

centash · Mar 31, 2017

Shouldn't happen, because your hand will be on the clutch lever to feather in the
engine...you would never snap it completely in to tow start it. Ben

KenL · Apr 1, 2017

Thanks for all the replies. Will be checking it out in the next week or two. Hopefully, no problems.

coonie minnie · Apr 1, 2017

I tend to agree, a two cylinder guy would never do what B and D suggested, but pull starting a two cylinder diesel requires about 4 hands... one for the clutch, one on decompression, one on the steering wheel (or at least your knee), and one to push the throttle ahead when the oil pressure comes up and you dump the decompression.

If this is an electric start, at least decompression is a foot pedal in that scenario...

Getting a 730 diesel started

KenL

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BushogPapa

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BushogPapa

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David from Kansas

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Mike M

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buickanddeere

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old popper

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centash

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KenL

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coonie minnie

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