1 Test of winter heaters on 4500 this AM

[PeteTheRookie]

Plugged in at 8ish. Started tractor at 10.
Overbite low was 25. About 28 at 8am.
30 by 10 am. Some wind.

Front and top of hydro reservoir warm.
Battery warm.
Rad hose above heater hot, intake on water pump warm.
But no flow thru to radiator.

Engine took 2 crank overs to start.
which is a improvement over the usual cold start.

Batteries could use a trickle charge.

The real test will be when its in the teens.
That is when I have a real hassle getting up enough RPM"s to start it.

Pete

 

[Wm. Neal]

I have a battery blanket on both my 5000 and Super Dexta- both diesel), plugged in along with circulation heater for a couple of hours before starting makes a huge difference and they start with very few rev's even in -25to-30F weather. Blankets are not expensive. I have either for a quick shot (but very little) if needed.I am about 10hrs drive north of Minneapolis, where we really get winter!
 

[JF in CT]

Are those 2 batteries in the box above the manifold?
 

[PeteTheRookie]

Yes, 2 batteries. cheap ones too!

PO set it up that way and it works so why fix it.

Pete
 

[Brian in MA]

I have a lower hose heater on my 4000 and it normally takes about two hours plugged in when it's 10-15 degrees out to melt the snow on the hood, then she will fire on the first revolution.
 

[RickB]

You are supplying 630 CCA's through the parallel batteries while the OEM battery would supply 810 CCA's and a whole lot more reserve. If you have issues with cranking speed, consider dumping the dual cheapie setup.
 

[PeteTheRookie]

Brian,
So what battery are you using. As RickB pointed out half my problem is most likely too low CCA.

If I leave the battery charger on it over nite.
It does start a whole lot better.
But as a rule I do not like to leave things plugged in unattended over nite

Wish it was like my "76 Toro 724 snow blower.
That has a plug in 110V starter on it.

Pete
 

[Brian in MA]

It is the biggest truck battery they had at the local Advance Auto that would fit. I don't remember the size, numbers, etc, but it isn't the 4DLT. Cranking hasn't been an issue for me. It will start without any cold weather aid down to about 35 degrees. Below that it needs a little help.
 

[PeteTheRookie]

Ditto on the above freezing temp and starting.
Anything 32 and above it starts. Once it gets into the 20's takes a lot of cranking.
Billows cloud of white smoke.

Pete