Glow plugs

[chuckchuck]

I just purchased a L4060 HST-LE. The manual mentions a glow plug indicator light. I don’t see that indicator when I turn the key. Does my tractor have glow plugs?

 

[kubotafreak]

Yes,
It will display in the matrix screen as a coil for a brief time if needed when turning the ignition on. My l6060 comes on but goes right out. My l3560 I had, I don't recall it ever coming on... just depends on conditions and tractor. The process is automated, you just wait to crank until it is out. If it doesn't come on go ahead....

 

[Russell King]

There may be a blown fuse for that light or a bad bulb

I have to assume that it should be cold enough unless you are in a heated garage

 

[chuckchuck]

There may be a blown fuse for that light or a bad bulb

I have to assume that it should be cold enough unless you are in a heated garage

It’s plenty cold in my unheated barn. I wouldn’t think it would be a blown fuse, being a new tractor, but I suppose it’s possible. I have been simply turning the key to “ON” for 20 seconds, then turning the key to “START”. It starts with no problem. I see in the manual what the indicator looks like and where it would be, it’s just not there.

 

[RalphVa]

On the B, it's between "on" and "start". You have to hold it there for a count, generally 3 seconds. An indicator shows on the dash.

 

[MoCo]

When I took delivery of my L6060 I kept looking for the glow plug indicator on the instrument display. It rarely comes on unless the engine is in cold conditions. I keep my heated farm garage to 45 degrees F. That's when the glow plug indicator appears when the key is turned to "on" before "start". And even then, it's a very brief time before the light goes out. In other words, during three seasons here up north, I rarely see it come on and the tractor starts without an issue. That said, I still like to keep the glow plugs warming for at least 5 seconds in colder weather. My RTV X1140 owners manual suggests 5 seconds before "start" and it doesn't even have a glow plug indicator. (The motor in the RTV is the 26 hp diesel tractor motor with HST.)

 

[Dave_eng]

Suggest you need to re read the Operators' manual as the L4060 GP system is well described.

The system is basing ON time on engine temp. It displays GP symbol on box 2 of the Intelli panel which is where low fuel and oil change reminder also appear.

Dave

 

[TheOldHokie]

On the B, it's between "on" and "start". You have to hold it there for a count, generally 3 seconds. An indicator shows on the dash.

Just one data point. I have noticed the preheat time on my L3901 is quite a bit longer when left outside overnight. During the 60F summer the indicator was only on a second or two. Now overnight lows are in the 20's and it takes closer to 15 seconds to go out. The timer seems to be conservative. I just tried a full cold start @37F and overnight lows around 32F. . This 100 hour machine with 5W40 oil started on the second stroke with a scant 5 seconds of preheat. Thats pretty much the behavior at 25F and 2 to 3 times the preheat.

Dan

 

[RalphVa]

Just one data point. I have noticed the preheat time on my L3901 is quite a bit longer when left outside overnight. During the 60F summer the indicator was only on a second or two. Now overnight lows are in the 20's and it takes closer to 15 seconds to go out. The timer seems to be conservative. I just tried a full cold start @37F and overnight lows around 32F. . This 100 hour machine with 5W40 oil started on the second stroke with a scant 5 seconds of preheat. Thats pretty much the behavior at 25F and 2 to 3 times the preheat.

Dan

The 3 seconds is what the auto-cutoff on the JD did no matter how cold (never gets much below 10 F here though) and is about the auto shutoff time for the 1983 240D Benz. I'd think Kubotas should be at least like a 1983 Benz. The Kubota B starts without the shudder and shake that all the JDs exhibited, as does our 2012 Isuzu diesel generator driver. Haven't timed its glow plug time. It's at least 3 seconds, more like 5.

Our old 220D Benz needed about a half minute glow plug time.

 

[Black Mud Farm]

My Tractor is 1995 L2950 and I activate the glow plugs by turning the key backwards (I don't know how the newer tractors work) I do not have a light that comes on, I may not even have one, or it may be blown? I just hold the key for a count of 30 then release and start. I only seem to have to use them if it is zero or below.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Owners manual would explain 'how it works'.....
Hopefully, others with your model will reply..I'd think there 'should' be an 'idiot' light but... ?
'30' seems kinda long, my BX23S, I do a 3 steamboat count(until the fuel gauge settles...),do it year round, always starts.