Farm Equipment - Diesel cold starting

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Diesel cold starting

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Category: Allis Chalmers
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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36533
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Topic: Diesel cold starting

Posted By: Chuck(ONT)
Subject: Diesel cold starting
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2011 at 3:56pm

Am considering a diesel tractor for deer camp in northern MI. Something like a 6040 or 175 or 5040 or 5050, mostly used during summer. No electricity available. Latest use would be mid November, with temps near freezing. Will I be running into starting problems? Maybe stay with gas?

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Never take life too seriously.

Nobody gets out alive anyway!

1C 1 WD45 1 AC180

Replies:

Posted By: Hurst
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2011 at 4:03pm

You should be fine on almost any diesel in good condition without a cold start aid down to around 40 degrees. Below that, most diesels have some sort of starting aid, such as a thermostart or some other type of intake manifold heater or glow plugs which will get you fired up in freezing conditions. The perkins in the 175 is supposed to be a really good cold weather starter for a diesel from what I have heard. But if it's worn out, it doesn't matter what kind of engine you have, it won't want to start in the cold. Also, generally you will find that non-turbo tractors have a higher compression ration than their turbo counterparts, so that can be something to look for in a tractor that will start easily in cold weather. For example, naturally aspirated 301s had 16.3:1 compression, whereas all but the earliest turbo 301s were dropped to 15:1 (the 6080 with the 2/3s of a 301, 200 cu in motor, had 14:1 compression if I remember correctly from what I was told due to high boost pressures).

Hurst

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1979 Allis Chalmers 7000
5800 Hours

Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2011 at 4:05pm

Gas would be simpler in the long run but don't leave gas in the carb if you leave it sit long. You will need a secure place to store also as it seems the crud of the earth look for things setting unattended . Friend had the generator , regulator, starter , battery and gas stolen from his tractor at his deer camp in norther WI. he had it in a shipping container (metal box) which they cut open and stripped tractor. They tried to remove full tractor but he had enough junk around it they could not pull it out of box.

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Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Posted By: DonDittmar
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2011 at 4:30pm

Engine has to bee in good condition, that is the main thing, plus you have to have good batteries to get the cranking speed. The morning I went to pick up my D19 it was zero out and of course the batteries in the tractor were only marginal when fully charged, but they were dead anyway so it didn't matter. Hooked a chain to it and drug it 30 feet and it was running.

I have found on stubborn tractors when the intake heater isnt enough is just give them a sniff of either while cranking and they will take off. DONT use the heater or glow plug when doing this otherwise when ether hits red hot plug BOOM.

Used properly ether will not harm a diesel engine

Used inccorectly it can cause alot of damage in short amount of time

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Experience is a fancy name for past mistakes. "Great moments are born from great opportunity"

1968 D15D,1962 D19D
Also 1965 Cub Loboy and 1958 JD 720 Diesel Pony Start

Posted By: DonDittmar
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2011 at 4:32pm

It doesnt get THAT cold in Mid November here chuck, you will be ok with a diesel as long as it is in good shape with a good battery

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Experience is a fancy name for past mistakes. "Great moments are born from great opportunity"

1968 D15D,1962 D19D
Also 1965 Cub Loboy and 1958 JD 720 Diesel Pony Start

Posted By: ky wonder
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2011 at 5:17pm

if you have a generator or electricity you can usually plug in a block heater about an hour before you need it and the tractor should start easily, provided the batteries are good

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i like old tractors of all colors

Posted By: Chuck(ONT)
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2011 at 7:27pm

Thanks for the advice and tips, looks like it is doable since it would not be used during the winter.

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Never take life too seriously.

Nobody gets out alive anyway!

1C 1 WD45 1 AC180

Posted By: Ed (Ont)
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2011 at 9:13pm

Use a good 5-40 engine oil for diesel. Okay for all year round - will help a lot for easier starting at any time but esp in cold or cool weather.