JD 1530 Diesel Slow to Start when cold

Thanks,

Ken

I had a 4010 that I built a box adjacent to the starter attached to the tractor's frame. I put 2 size 31 950 CCA (OTR Truck batteries. Like a size 27 but has 3/8" studs rather than lead posts)in that box. While at the truck store I had them make me up some interconnect cables out of 00 wire (which they used on trucks with lotta batteries) and the maximum cable length was 18".

Guarantee you when I told that old girl to "hit it" she said yes sir and did it right now with no starting aids down to 25F. Didn't try it below it cause it didn't get that cold.

Have a 4230 that has a battery on either side of and forward of the cab. I got the same type batteries and more 00 cable and plumbed them in parallel, rather than series so that the batteries didn't have the resistance of the other battery in the circuit allowing for much more peak current. She lights off too just fine without ether whereas when I bought it liked to "sniff a tad of snuff" before she'd roll over.

Mark

Cold starting was a major issue with 30 and 40 series Deere tractors. Many were poor starters at 50 degrees F when new. Others would start at 20 degrees F. We had many upset customers - especially when trading in a 1960s 4020 that always started well at 20 degrees F, and then taking home a new 2940 that would barely start at 60 degrees F.
There's a lot to it - and I don't want to write a book on the subject (and I almost could).

You didn't mention if this is a new problem, or the tractor has never started well since you've owned it.

First - it must crank fast. Most starting problems with Deere diesels are caused by the hydraulic system putting too much a load on the starter motor. If in question - install a $10 manual pump-detroker. Often, it makes a night-and-day difference in cold starting.

As to actual engine problems? A poor valve job with valve-heads ground too deep into the head, static injection timing too retarded, piston height above block too low, valve lash excessive, cranking fuel delivery too low in the injection pump, etc. all can cause poor cold starting.

Also, a more major defect that is common - it the top piston rings shattered to pieces. Often a Deere that does not cold-start well, gets made much worse with ether starting. Especially if the intake-manifold ether orifice is bypassed and ether is simply sprayed into the air-intake. Once the top rings break , you've got an engine that can barely start at 70 degrees unless ether is used - but once warmed up runs pretty good.