cold weather starting

New fuel filter?

Winter (#1) diesel?
Or a blend?
Or an additive?
Because regular #2 gels below 25 degrees.

What oil are you using, a winter oil or a synthetic?

Do the glow plugs (or Ford system) work & are you using it?

Do you have a good strong battery?

A block, tank, or hose heater really is needed for these old girls if it gets below 20 & you let them set more than 2-3 days between running.

So, all of the above should give you a good running winter diesel tractor. :)

Ether is needed once in a while, but can be real dangerous when used with manifold glow plugs (Ford - blow up manifold) and are just not good for the engine as others have said.

--->Paul

It is equipped with intake manifold glow plugs. They look like very large spark plugs and are easily seen when standing beside the tractor on the intake manifold side (left side).

Mine are operated by a switch located under the cowling, just above the ignition switch.

I turn on the ignigion, depress (push up) the glow switch for what seems like forever (30 sec to 1 min), release the switch and immediately hit the starter. On really cold days, the engine turns over 2 or 3 times and comes on line.

I don't hold in the glow switch while starting as the ampere draw on the battery would be huge with both high current loads going at the same time.

Additionally, a high amperage fresh battery with large #2 or better cables with clean fittings would also go a long way to insure success. You have to have enough battery to survive the glow and the start process.

Mark

I finally decided that it wouldn't start because of inadequate compression (couldn't heat the air hot enough to explode the fuel). I did an inframe for about $1000 and have a different tractor. It leaps into life. It's no wonder, the rings were so bad that one side was half as thick as the other.

Next time I buy one if the salesman has to use ether to get it started, he'll keep it.

Mark