2 Sure-fire tricks to get an Old Diesel Tractor (Backhoe) to Start in Freezing Temperatures

[@JOEZEP54]

Great to hear when these old girls start.

[@tyvole2387]

This just reminded me: when I was a kid in the '60's, my father had a 1928 Morris 10. In winter, he used to put a little paraffin heater under the bonnet to stop the coolant in the block from freezing. It was just a simple flame, like a candle, inside a wire gauze dome and would burn quietly for 24 hours on a single fill. It sounds super sketchy now, but worked a treat. Thanks for bringing back the memory.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for the cool story. I love these stories of the old timers. Glad to help bring back the memory!

[@asksteevies4941]

Thanks man, I heated up the oil pan whet inside came out of my tractor was on fire now I am digging post holes without a machine

[@myuhsmart6143]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the tips...I also have a Long 5n1 1400 backhoe..and it HATES the cold. MIne is the 1400 Super model which has a start pilot canister injection for cold starts....but that must have been a 70s thing because I could find no replacement canisters or good info on how to use it with todays products. Keep up the great work...Anymore posts on Long brand equipment (such as fixing that starter) are greatly appreciated. Long tractors are rare and delicate flowers as I have learned..a shop manual, owners manual, + parts manual cannot solve the problem of finding parts:). So much appreciate your experience. God Bless!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yeah, it's a tough one to find parts for but it's a beast when it's running. I ended up taking the starter in to Napa Auto Part and they were able to find one for me. That pretty much fixed that starter problem. I've had to take one of the loader cylinders off to get it rebuilt at a professional hydraulic shop. They had to measure everything and piece together a rebuild kit because you just can't find parts for them. The water pump wore out and I'll save you a headache, don't search for one, they don't exist, LOL. I ended up buying a water pump that fit perfectly on my backhoe but wasn't a match for the pulley. I bought a separate pulley, drilled some holes through it and mounted it on the water pump. The belt rides a little further out on the water pump now but it works.

[@dracc111]

Thanks a lot for this idea, My Ford 3 cylinder diesel excavator has been stuck for 2 months in the field no start at all. I will try this today, again thanks.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad to help, let me know how it turns out.

[@Dirtbug473]

Gotta do what ya gotta do> My dad had stories from the early 1960's logging and skidding with older 3T 7's during extreme freezing cold winters. They learned to do same thing but always were on the watch for dirty belly pans that would collect wood and oil debris. Some days the Cats would run 24 / 7 because it was too cold to start if not. Ive had a small backhoe business for years...I remember telling my dad years ago when I got my first cab machine. It was 1994 JD310D w/4 in one bucket and stereo. This was in 1995. My dad was happy I didnt have to work like his generation did. I reminded him that we had cell phones, a laser and a heated cab with a thermos bottle holder...he was amazed...he was about 75 at the time. I have heated even new machines with a kerosene space heater, the jet engine looking type...a small one running off an inverter for the fan and using 6inch stove pipe to bring hot air to oil pan. Some job sites didn't have electricity for block heaters.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I love hearing stories of how the old timers got things done. Thanks for sharing about your Dad, sounds like a pretty cool guy. Compared to my equipment your first cab machine sounds like a Cadillac. Someday I'll get there........until then I'll keep the charcoal stocked.

[@BigAgitator]

That’s a warm day around here!!

[@MikeKincaid79]

I hear ya

[@321Roost]

Low 20's ain't cold my friend. Come to Canada - I'll show you cold :) I wear a t-shirt and jeans at that temperature.

[@highwatercircutrider]

Ya, gotta agree. Low 20's are good work temps (keeps your crew from sittin' around). We lay cement blocks down to that temperature in Michigan, with just a bit of antifreeze. I used to start my old dragline at those temps and below with a propane brush burner. lol

[@letsmakesomenoiserevitup3970]

I live in bc and it is - 10 this morning and that's warm lol canadain temperature can go to - 40 and colder not here but in some places

[@oby-1607]

I was in Edmonton one night and it was -50 before the wind chill factor.

[@DuchesnesCorner]

Oil plug oil heater works good too. No worry of catching your tractor on fire. Lol

[@audiowerks]

Lol I ski Vermont upper Madonna mountain at minus 40..lol

[@johnanderson2451]

That was fun to watch

[@MikeKincaid79]

Right on man!

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

Have to test this out if I ever get a backhoe

[@MikeKincaid79]

Don't burn it down

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

@@MikeKincaid79set back and watch the world lol j/k

[@TeamDestroyer1]

I have a 73 Detroit Diesel GMC that is very difficult to start in cold weather, even with the little factory block heater which is also very inefficient. So I have been searching for an alternate way to heat this engine a lot faster and your video looks like a very promising solution. Thanks so much for sharing Mike.

[@MikeKincaid79]

+Warren Jones I'm glad it helped. I just used this trick again the other day to get my backhoe started when nothing else worked. Fired up like a champ. For a car or truck, I would try using sterno cans because they burn cleaner and you can control the flame a little easier.

[@grahamallen3941]

Hi Mike, my old boss on the pig farm where I worked used to put a half bale of straw underneath and set fire to it. Worked like a dream every Time!!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Great idea, the heat definitely gets things going.

[@grahamallen3941]

worked everytime Mike, plus it kept our hands warm at the same time.

[@sahmadi1000]

Say do try this at home. A country boy can do almost anything. You are a true ranger.

[@jamesmacneil1609]

You just need a new starter drive on your starter. 20 or 30 bucks probably. Starter is fine. You sound like smart guy. You'll have no problem changing it. Ether is hard on an engine. Don't use it unless your engine won't start. That was good tip about the bbq. Thank you. Gave you a "like". Well worth watching. Good luck on your new home.

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're right, swapped the starter out about 1.5 years ago and fixed most of the problem. The ether is another issue, can't get the tractor to start without it but at least it cranks over better now. Thanks for the 'like'!

[@thecomanchekid]

use some wd40 with the ether for lube or try just wd40

[@MikeKincaid79]

Didn't know that would work. I'll give it a try.

[@davekana8388]

My 90's Kubota is good till about close to 0 deg F, I have glow plugs but it's been getting to -15 a few time this Winter. I have her in a garage, so I just aim the torpedo heater on the oil pan for about 20 min. That does the trick pretty well too!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Dave Kana -15!!! You're in a different world than me.

[@davekana8388]

Mike Kincaid -24 deg F last Tuesday morn, too damn cold for me. That's the coldest weather I've ever seen! They start the 66 Cat junk yard w just a shot of starting fluid, Battery was even weak! I wish I lived in a warmer climate esp tjis time of year!

[@lowercherty]

Minnesota loggers trick for equipment left out in the woods with no power available.Install quick disconnects on the heater hoses of your pickup and the equipment. Build a set of jumper hoses. Pull the truck up to the equipment and connect the hoses so that the warm coolant from the truck circulates through the equipment engine. After about 15 minutes the equipment will start right up, even if it's -40.Building a fire under the engine like he did works too, but takes longer.Finally make sure that winter (no. 1) diesel is in the equipment. Nothing will start it if the fuel is gelled.

[@MikeKincaid79]

B Laquisha Best tip I've gotten on this video. I'll definitely have to try it. Thanks.

[@lowercherty]

+Mike Kincaid Splice the disconnects in series into the return side of the heater core on the truck so that you still get heat in the cab.

[@lowercherty]

+Mike Kincaid Also, use the kind of disconnects they use for hydraulic hose that seal both sides when they are broken apart. NAPA among others carries them.

[@prairiewanderer5040]

B Laquisha They've used that same trick (jumper hoses) in the oilfield for a long time too.

[@lowercherty]

+prairie wanderer I've also seen where they've tried propane heaters, it works fine except that propane doesn't boil below -30 F and the heaters go out on cold days. Also you have to wrestle a propane tank around in the cold.

[@soulmedicine]

You can also pull the tube off the intake and stick a propane torch in there and it will fire right up. Or if your neer the house you can use your old ladys electric hair dryer if you dont mind her bitching about you using it 😂

[@MikeKincaid79]

Haha, I learned this trick a short while after posting this video. I've since bought a heat gun. Thanks!

[@soulmedicine]

Take a elctric heating pad for your back and put it up against the oil pan and hold it in place with a couple old speaker magnets . Put the pad on high and plug it in over night and she should fire up

[@MikeKincaid79]

Now that's a great idea!

[@mosquitobob4349]

Totally genius ! There’s a lot of ways to accomplish this . Block heaters , heat lamps , heaters , heat guns . I like this method ! I have a 1973 Ford 5550 backhoe 4.2 diesel , a 1983 Ford 3000 gasser and a Chinese / Canadian tractor with a 3cyl Diesel engine . That tractor has a heater and should start up easily wham plugged in overnight . The 3000 is a gasser so the bbq chimney won’t be much help on old blue . I have a electric blanket and a concrete blanket that gets blue fired up . Living in central Oregon we get very cold nights that start in summer . It snowed a couple inches here 2 days ago . I recently got my backhoe and was wondering if I should install a block heater until I saw the price tag on one . This method not only saves money ,, I’m thinking it can also cook lunch ! My idea is to prepare a fire pit with an old wood stove I have and make it into a rocket stove that feeds on one end and smokes on the other and the heat rises then I can park the backhoe over the warm spot & tent it with a concrete blanket . Unattended open flames have a risk factor I think can be avoided . . However I can tend the flame and stay warm using another cold weather tool called a window 👍🏻 I’m trying it in the morning

[@MikeKincaid79]

Right on, happy to inspire! I'm sure there are all kinds of ways to modify this for your purpose and of course, like you mentioned, keep that flame down.

[@korvtm]

Electric light trick will work,If you can find 60 or higher incandescent bulbs.Once made a block warmer for a machine using that trick.Using a heat gun in the air intake while the engine is cranking will some times help.If the machine was newer might try an aftermarket coolant heater and a warmer for the battery box.I personally do not like the oil warmers that are used in the dipstick hole,but an aftermarket block heater that warms the engine oil could prove useful.

[@loganv0410]

Part of the trick w/ the oil pan is to keep flames off the pan - you can coke the oil real fast.

[@MikeKincaid79]

+loganv0410 Good advice.

[@Spp493]

you might have what we call an "ether baby". the rings around the piston are made for a certain amount of pressure to pushed on them. when you put starting fluid in it (ether) you get a small amount of pre-detonation which means the fuel is lite to early and then when the diesel is sprayed in there's already a "fire" going on and you create a shit ton of pressure. your piston rings were out and can't seal enough for the engine to start on its own. its not very hard or expensive to rebuild those needed parts. Just some in site from someone else! I like the chimney idea!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Spp493 The rings are definitely wore out. Fresh oil turns black after just a few runs. I'm just keeping this old girl limping along. Sure would be nice to have something a little more reliable though. Thanks for the comment.

[@leegenix]

I ran a Case 560 backhoe for a reclamation district. My boss told to use starting ether during the winter months. When it started, it sounded like a hot rod and fire was shooting out of the exhaust because I know that hard on the engine. One time I used the ether to burn a weed filled ditch. I tossed a match but nothing happened. I waited until the match burned before adding more ether. While still waiting I heard this loud boom. It taught me just how dangerous ether really is.

[@sayshuh]

I didn't have a block heater, so I took an electric blanket that was not being used. ..a couple of bungee cords to hold it around the oil pan, wango bango, all night long with an electric blanket on high and she fired great for the 11 years that I owned her. Her. ...1985 Caterpillar in a Case BH.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like a solid idea.

[@keithlucas6260]

Back during the Alaska oil pipeline construction, this was done all the time. 55 gal drums were cut in half, and coals were put in it and put under the pan. Another thing is a friend who was a mechanic put his wrenches on the steel grate which covered the 55 gal drum so they wouldn't stick to his hands when using them.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Pretty cool piece of American history. Thanks for sharing.

[@keithlucas6260]

You're quite welcome. I have vintage tractors myself, and one is an International Harvester 2400A backhoe. It comes factory with a canister type ether unit mounted on the intake, and is solenoid activated by a button on the dash panel. We all jokingly call it "whiskey Pete", as even though they don't make the canisters anymore, you still have to peel back the rubber seal on the air cleaner and shoot a little bit of ether in it I get in a can from Auto Zone.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Well, I think I've got Whiskey Pete's drinking buddy over hear because ether is a necessity to getting this backhoe started.

[@MikeKincaid79]

How to start a cold diesel tractor in freezing temperatures. Please pass this along for some poor old farmer that might need the help.

[@sweetingranch2736]

Magnetic block heater

[@thedanesimon]

+prairie mark i would kind of agree with you at first, but after thinking about it, the only possible thing that could happen to the engine, is if the oil pan cracks, if the fire and cold is to intense... but yeah "poor old farmers" prob has a diesel heater.

[@kylesmith6649]

Do you crank it much I get my wife to crank it for me

[@TheMetalButcher]

Mate, I think I have a better method. It won't necessarily work to as cold of temperatures, but it is faster and has a lot lower chance of burning down your tractor. We have an MF 40 backhoe with a weak starter that refuses to start in anything below 40F. What I do is get out a battery charger and heat gun, turn them both on and get the airbox nice and toasty. Then with the fuel off (atomized fuel with further cool the already ass cold cylinder) I crank in some of the warm air. Heat the airbox for a bit longer, repeat. Then with the fuel on I crank and blow hot air and it usually starts pretty quickly with no ether. (I'm afraid the airbox might get hot enough to light it.) I've tested it down to about 25F but it might work colder. Give it a shot and see if it works for you one of these cold winters (if you still have the tractor.)

[@MikeKincaid79]

justfakeit888 Thanks for the tip! It turned out my starter was dying so I replaced it. Haven't had a problem starting her up since. I won't be burning my tractor down anytime soon.

[@colbysmith3893]

I have a block warm that you can put on any diesel thing it just sticks to metal and you plug it in it works great and you dont have to worry able burning your tractor to the ground

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like I could use one of those.

[@booger37391]

did same thing/ but plug a drop light in on side the block

[@AugsterA]

Cool, I'm out here on my land however my Ford Expedition is stuck in a snow drift 500 feet down the road. So I've been trying to start my old Massey Ferguson but no success. I so as we speak I'm trying your idea. Thankfully I have charcoal out here.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad to here it, Augie! Let me know how it goes for you. I've used this trick probably 20 times over the years with this backhoe and it never lets me down.

[@MattsMadnessOfficial]

lol if I did that to anything I operate it would be a huge ball of fire within minutes , everything I got has about a inch of grease diesel and insulation on it , nice job on keeping the oil in the engine :)

[@johnlittlefield6248]

I have a Ford backhoe and use either on a cold day just a very light touch of it I drilled a 1/8 inch hole in a rubber hose that connects the air cleaner to the intake manifold I use the plastic straw that comes with the either to give the engine a touch of either it saves me much time of taking the air cleaner apart and putting it back together let it idle a little bit and go to work

[@MikeKincaid79]

I like the 1/8 inch hole idea!

[@BasicEndjo]

we did this once on a motorcycle trip with the military back in the day. it was -40 so we couldn't even kick start it because the gearbox had frozen

[@projects7752]

At really cold temperatures diesel fuel will become somewhat "waxy". For this reason in cold climates diesel fuel composition changes with the season. One particular cold morning I noticed it was possible to use an open pail of diesel something like a chalkboard. Slowly the writing would disappear. Our standard technique to start cold engines was to light a paper towel in an open top can with an inch or so of diesel in the bottom. At first it will be hard to get the fire to burn. As the pail warms the fire gets more aggressive. As someone mentioned you don't want to get the oil pan too hot, however, in true cold temperatures this takes a long time and generally it is possible to start the engine long before a hot oil pan is reached. We also placed wind guards between the engine and ground. Perhaps we were lucky, however, this technique is somewhat common, and I have never heard of anyone burning a vehicle. CAUTION: This is for truly cold conditions, and not your somewhat sub tropical conditions.

[@MikeKincaid79]

LOL, you're right, we don't get that cold. It dips down into the teens but never into the negative temps. I finally replaced that starter on this old girl and that fixed 80% of the problem.

[@johnt7232]

The valve rocker cover looks like a Leyland engine also the sound is so like a Leyland , have you any idea what it is ?

[@MikeKincaid79]

+Hound Dawgs That's exactly what it is. Sounds like you know a thing or 2 about Leyland diesel. Any idea how to convert the oil filter to a modern "screw on" type?

[@johnt7232]

+Mike Kincaid I never did one myself but I was told by an oldtimer that he changed one on some engine some time ago , what he did was to remove the fitting from the block thus revealing two oil ports one one out , he fitted two hyd hosepipes into these and did the same on the more modern fitting and screwed on filter of course it wouldnt look very pretty but it worked

[@thatbiguy1975]

come visit MN this winter. anything above 0 degrees F is summer

[@MikeKincaid79]

No thanks, lol.

[@adrnlnx]

I want to buy a Long 5-N-1 1400 that's nearby but wondering how much weight I can lift and/or tow with the backhoe boom or just the tractor itself? Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[@MikeKincaid79]

This thing is a beast and will lift anything you need it to lift. I don't have the exact specs but I've lifted a 1,000 pound (maybe more) cattle chute and head gate and put it on a trailer. Years ago I welded a thumb onto the backhoe, which made it infinitely more valuable, and have moved many 12 to 14 foot sections of fir tree that are 2 foot in diameter. The whole tractor probably weighs around 14,000. The one big problem is that the company no longer exists and finding parts is almost impossible. I've had to makeshift some things on it. When cylinders need to be rebuilt you have to take it to a professional shop because there are no kits to buy to rebuild them. Other than that, she's a work horse.

[@adrnlnx]

@@MikeKincaid79 Awesome, thank you for the info. I've heard about the parts being hard to find, but this one looks pretty decent. Hopefully I wont need too many speciality parts. I'm planning on using of to dig 3x3' holes for piers for a shipping container home build and also drag 40' HC containers as well. Sounds like it should atleast be able to lift one side at a time.

[@daveburton2194]

Another little trick is a blow torch take out air filter and aim blow torch down pipe we had an old jcb telehandler with no heater and it would fire straight up in cold weather using the blow torch trick quick and easy

[@MikeKincaid79]

dave burton Will try it this winter

[@julier1080]

+dave burton Yup! That's how my grandfather used to start the diesel engine on his mill. Only he just took a rag on a stick, soaked the rag in fuel, lit it and then cranked the engine and let it suck the fire in through the air intake. Building a fire under the engine looks like a good way to set your tractor on fire! Maybe an infrared heater at least, so there's no open flame? Also, IF you use ether, which you should never do for all the reasons already mentioned here, don't spray then crank. Spray a quick light mist WHILE you are cranking.

[@StewartMarshall-aussie]

Excellent. Nice property Mike :-)

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks a lot Stewart. It's definitely a work in progress.

[@garrettburleigh7754]

Do these old backhoes have glow plugs? I have an older backhoe that I can't keep running. I think it's sucking air. I replaced the fittings and then saw that the lifter/ transfer pump had a crack. So im replacing that when I get the part. But now I'm worried about the fact it has sat for so long. And I cracked the line at the engine to see if I was getting fuel to it. Do glow plugs wear out? If so are they a big job to replace? Tha ks guys. Like I said the tractor will start and run for ten seconds. Then I have to wait a few hours to be able to start again.

[@MikeKincaid79]

No glow plugs in this old beast. Sounds like you're sucking air into the fuel somewhere or not getting fuel to the injectors period. That's where I'd start. Will it fire up if you spray a little starter fluid in the intake? If so, your problem is no fuel or air in the line.

[@MikeKincaid79]

By the way, I had a real problem with this years ago. The tank was about 1/4 full and still not getting fuel to the engine. I wrote of and empty tank as not the problem because it was 1/4 full. Finally, after trying many other things, I just filled the tank and never had a problem again. Now I don't let the tank get below half. Not sure why this happens but it does.

[@sahmadi1000]

Could you kindly share your experience with 2wd backhoe? I have a hilly property. Would I be able to push snow with it going up hill?

[@MikeKincaid79]

+sahmadi1000 Tough to say. I don't have enough info, horsepower, size and weight, tread style on rear tires, grade of hill, how much snow? My backhoe would push quite a bit of snow a short way but this piece of equipment isn't designed for pushing material around. You might want to look at a small dozer or use the backhoe to move buckets full of snow at a time.

[@anthonyross9276]

By the way keeping the battery warm is a good practice!

[@allykincaid3362]

Nice Job dad!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks buddy!

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

Have you tried putting a blow-dryer on the intake? Starting it on 100+ degree air might work.

[@MikeKincaid79]

+Nonya Damnbusiness I've gotten a few comments about using a blow dryer. I'll have to try it out and make a video. Thanks

[@georgemullin7772]

Mike in my opinion if you have a good strong battery and a block heater even put another battery hooked up for added cranking she should go nice old machine mike.good for u.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's definitely something I need to do, create a spot for a second batter for more CCA

[@Nightshift74]

I had an old Case from the late fifties early sixties I would use a 5 gallon metal pale laid on its side under the motor and a tiger torch. I change my battery out for deep cycle marine battery. 20 to 30 minutes, short squirt of either and she would fire up like it was summer.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Nightshift74 I like the metal pale idea. That would solve the whole "open flame" problem that no one seems to like.

[@Nightshift74]

Mike Kincaid I did melt some wires once, if you look at were every thing sits, you should not have any problems. another good thing to do, try to warm your starter up as well.

[@gerlandkent6377]

thank you for your video

[@keithwarkentin]

You probably heard it all but a tiger torch is really handy especially if it’s windy you can kinda control your flames not that your system is bad at all and a lot of Diesel fuel conditioner especially if you’re fuel tank is having or a quarter full because once that fuel starts circulating the tank will sweat or even if the sun is shining on it it will sweat too if your parking where you have power you can get 200 or 300 watt magnetic heaters to put on the oil pan and you can buy a lower radiator hose heater to warm up the coolant and if you feel like spending a lot of money you can buy an espar coolant heater that runs off your diesel fuel. I have one one my crane here in Winnipeg Manitoba where it can get down to-35 degree Celsius and if I let it run for 2 hours the temperature will go up to 130 F and it starts like summer time that’s on a DT 466 international so it’s got to warm up a couple of gallons of coolant. I could go on and on but I bet you have already heard it all 😀🇨🇦Keep that old iron running!

[@MikeKincaid79]

I sure have gotten a lot of help with this tractor over the years. She's still running, just getting tired. I finally replaced the starter and that took most of the problems out with starting her. You guys get much colder than me. -35! Brrrrrr

[@CPUDOCTHE1]

I have a 1960s IH with a DT407. It has a factory installed ether injector. As long as the fuel is not gelled, you start the engine cranking and as soon as it is turning full speed, hit the ether button for as short a time as possible and it fires right up. We have a block heater in it but NEVER use it. t has 2 4EH batteries in it and obviously you don't carry them in to warm them up.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like a nice setup. I get a lot of flak for using ether but this thing is so old that it won't start any other way in the cold. If I can get her to start in the winter, I'm happy no matter the method.

[@CardBoardBoxPro]

This is the "long" backhoe. hard to find any information on them. how is the machine?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, this is the Long backhoe and it's almost impossible to find information or parts, lol. I've done a ton of research over the years (in order to find parts) and I've found that this was built sometime in the 70's. The company went out of business in the 80's or 90's but some parts still remain. They were produced in Romania. I badly need a water pump for it and I can't find it no matter how hard I search. I'm sure there's a little box in the back of a warehouse in Romania, "long" forgotten, that has my water pump in it, hahaha. In the meantime, I just piece it together. Got a water pump for a JCB, found a pulley that sort of works, drilled my own bolt holes, etc. I have to tighten the belt so dang tight so that it doesn't slip off the pulley, but it works. The machine still runs and is a very strong machine. I love it! The problem is, it's old and needs some work. Some of the cylinders leak pretty bad and need rebuilt, the engine is strong but tired. I'd love to restore it but it would probably cost more than it's work. Anyway, I just use it for the front end loader now, since getting the excavator. It's a very strong front end loader and has lifted anything I've thrown at it.

[@CardBoardBoxPro]

@@MikeKincaid79 Good to know. My uncle is trying to sell me his. If it works even a little bit and for some time it will be good. Shame that it's hard to find parts and such.

[@sandy7m]

Modern diesel will not normally was up in freezing weather. In the old days we used to mix in a gallon of petrol into a full tank of diesel (

[@vancrawford4064]

Everybody knows these two tricks. This is the trick that I thought you was gonna show us. Take a rag, soak it in gas, lightly ring it out and have somebody try to start it while you hold the gassy rag pushed up tight against the air inlet into the air box at the air filter. The gas fumes off of the rag Works just as good if not better than starting fluid.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for the tip.

[@dean-gm1lg]

Hair dryer even better if you got power that is lol

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

You never want to put starting fluid in a diesel. You'll blow the rings very quickly.

[@tracyleeleen7248]

Try using a hot air (heat) gun inserted in the same air intake tube the either was squirted into. No either needed, fires up way quicker, without the damage or fire risk. D

[@MikeKincaid79]

Someone else mentioned that before and it sounds like a really good idea.

[@michaelovitch]

20 F is not that cold. Just use 5w40 oil and get your valves adjusted properly. don't need to heat the oil,and ether is the worse you can do to your engine,it only will make things worse and worse. A heat gun in the intake is way safer for the engine.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I appreciate the tips. I'm constantly learning about this old piece of equipment. It was fun making the video though.

[@michaelovitch]

And it was fun to watch,thank you for that. I suggest you to not use a fire to heat oil,temperatures above 100 °C break down the oil and its additives, its lubricant and protective characteristics just vanish to let you only goo and nasty deposits. Diesel just need heat to start up. A heatgun pointed in the intake,or simply a hair dryer allow you to heat the air enough to start it. If the engine is crancking slow ,use a thin oil,it's made for this exact purpose.5w40 is perfect. You can clutch in too ,wich is a load removed to your starter to cranck faster. ether is very bad,and hurt piston rings a lot by creating huge peak of pressure while compressing. It's detonation/pinging on a gas engine. You are lucky to have this machine.

[@MikeKincaid79]

[@mattadey6728]

Mike What year is the Long backhoe and which modle is it?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Matt Adey Not really sure. It's a 197?. Not a 5n1. Company went out of business decades ago and it's hard as heck to find parts. Runs great though and gets the job done.

[@AdirondackNY]

i use an electric hair dryer in the air filter to heat the intake air

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's a great idea. I might have heard that somewhere before but haven't tried it yet because my backhoe is never parked close to electric outlets. I ought to park it near my carport one night just to give this a try. Thanks!

[@anthonyross9276]

Don't mess with a magnetic block heater for diesel apps they dont work well enough in the lower 20's high teens. Get a heat pump that circulates your coolant as it heats it. Starting a fire under it should only be done in emergency situations. Your oil turning black after an oil change is normal in diesel applications. DONT use ether again unless its an absolute necessity. I know a ton of diesels came with ether injection from the factory but again thats only if it has to sit outside with no heating apparatus avaiable and you only have a few cranks to get er going. Ether babies will cost you a lot of money!

[@krzysztofwelo]

+Anthony Ross MAGNETIC HEATER DONT WORK AT ALL. ITS A SCAM

[@niceguy2171]

That charcoal under the oil pan is going to cook your oil, actually burn the lubricating properties out of it which is Exactly what you don't want on a cold start of anything! Know they used to do that in ancient times, but this is now, they make a magnetic oil heater that you plug in for a 4 hrs. before you're going to start, or leave it on overnight if you need it 1st thing in the morning! And "20's" is not cold! We get down to -10 in the milder times of the winter, and start diesel equipment everyday.

[@MikeKincaid79]

20's is cold enough for this old girl

[@danielscheller2275]

I have seen wet lines from radiator to radiator to circulate warm antifreeze coolant!!!

[@DOCTORDROTT]

We were doing this 50 years ago in the UK

[@johnhamilton9229]

That was definitely a different way to start a tractor.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sure is

[@gerlandkent6377]

I've got a block heater on my Backhoe it was on the Backhoe when I bought it

[@MikeKincaid79]

I just picked up a used excavator that’s about 25 years newer so I may sell the backhoe. The only thing I keep it around for now is the loader.

[@2geniussaredneck658]

I get my tractor running with a propane torch in the intake as im cranking her over . It also helps to swear as your turning the key . But the absolute best thing to do is make sure you have a strong battery i leave mine on charger all night then in morning she is ready to go Git r DONE

[@MikeKincaid79]

I finally figured out the "real" problem behind all of my starting issues that has plagued this tractor for the past 4 years or so. A bad starter. I bought a new starter a couple years ago thinking it was the problem and it didn't really fix it so I went down other rabbit holes. Just a few months ago I got pissed and pulled the starter back off for a closer inspection and found that the new starter I bought was faulty. Went back to the auto parts store and they swapped it for another new one and it completely fixed my problem. Very frustrating to spend 300+ dollars on a new part only to find it's faulty but not after 2 years of chasing my tail. Oh well, the damn thing starts now without a problem!

[@gerlandkent6377]

for the battery Napa auto parts store sells the battery warmer blanket wrap and you plug it up to a cord

[@MikeKincaid79]

I probably need one of those

[@SHcinema]

If you look at my avatar, that's a 1957/58 Allis Chalmers D-17 with a Buda 262 diesel in it. It's compression is so low it can't start when 'hot' without starting fluid. That tractor has been started in the single digit temperatures with near frozen batteries in under 5 minutes with 3 tricks: A decent sized engine starter, starting fluid, and mapp gas. You set the booster on a low setting and let it warm the batteries up a bit for a couple minutes. Then spray in a couple shots of starting fluid, and turn on the mapp torch you have on the intake and crank. It fires over on the starting fluid but picks up power on the mapp gas then settles in on the diesel. Don't know if it works for every tractor but starts mine every time, even in freezing temps. The best system, however, is a block heater. Keeps both oil and water heated up.

[@MikeKincaid79]

My backhoe is getting harder to start all the time even with a new warm battery and a fresh starter. Not sure what the problem is but this ol girl is had just about enough of me, I think. Trying to decide if dumping more money into her is worth the return.

[@shawn17032]

Mike Kincaid when they get that bad a runaway engine is near. look it up

[@1995dresser]

Used to work with a old guy (many years ago) from Detroit where the winters are brutal. he said when he was younger he wound put a pan of kerosene under the car and light it to warm up the oil pan on his car . heard of it but never seen it till now

[@MikeKincaid79]

+1995dresser .....and that old guy was telling the truth. I like the kerosene idea. Would probably be a less intense heat and much more safe for the tractor. Glad our little experiment confirmed the old man's story for you.

[@1995dresser]

+Mike Kincaid That's what most people don't know. is that if the oil is warm or even hot that the battery or starter will need very little effort on their part to start the engine . because its not turning over an oil pan full cement (cold oil) its more fluid at that point . quicker warm ups less wear

[@MikeKincaid79]

+1995dresser That's exactly why I started this experiment and posted it. And it works great every time........as long as you don't burn your tractor down, LOL. The kerosene idea would help prevent that. I've even heard of people using sterno cans.

[@1995dresser]

+Mike Kincaid I remember working at Pep Boys some years ago. and they had a Heated dip stick. kind of goofy looking contraption with a 110 plug on the end of it. always wondered if it worked ? But your charcoal chimney starter works great and very portable and lots of heat I live in PA and the winters here are sometimes no gift. last year after snow throwing and shoveling went to light a fire in my fire pit and was drinking a beer put it down for less than five minutes and had a beer slushie now that's cold

[@leebarnes655]

The 110 volt dipstick type oil heater does work brilliantly well. Value for price doesn't get better either. The neighbor uses a propane weed burner in combination with a welded up 3 inch water pipe elbow to turn the torch's flame upward towards the oil pan of his tractors. Same result, warm to the touch motor oil and a tractor that cracks right off no matter how cold it used to be.

[@stephenhansen8906]

you should never have to use either every time you use either it weakens your engine a little each time as it scores the engine it basically cleans the oil off your cylinder walls and makes it metal to metal for a few seconds Intel the oil gets back up to the cylinder walls good idea with the fire I don't think your just heating the oil your heating pretty much everything from bottom to top a diesel engine starts over high compression high compression makes it very hot and with a little fuel poof it starts up so you heating gets hotter a little quicker

[@dean-gm1lg]

it also inverts top piston ring causing low compression which inturn makes it become addicted to it and bad cases can actualy bend connecting rods

[@markwalker9107]

Twenties may not be super cold to some people but it is to me. Especially when it goes from 80 degrees to 20 degrees in a few hours where I live.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Your temp swings there are too much for me

[@danielscheller2275]

Yes, a fast starter helps to start a diesel . a tarp can hold the heat in wind or extreme cold.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Once I replaced the starter, it wasn't as much of an issue. She's really on her last leg now.

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

It's been a year but I'm back at this video

[@MikeKincaid79]

LOL, we'll revisit this again in a year.

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

@@MikeKincaid79 lol

[@tammysarrazin7078]

my dad used to take in the battery of his car that was diesel and put a heavy wool blanket on the engine and would start the car no problem but yeah winters in Canada are little chilly

[@MikeKincaid79]

You guys get more than a little chilly, LOL. Too cold for my blood!

[@tammysarrazin7078]

Mike Kincaid i love winter cant stand summer lol

[@audreybarnes6527]

Hard angle to see, but you might want to put a guard between the oil pan and hoses. Heat will harden the hoses over time. The other option is heat into the manifold.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I like the heat into the manifold idea. I eventually got a new starter and most of my problems went away.

[@audreybarnes6527]

This is a link kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJanp3aMiJhrns0 🙂

[@audreybarnes6527]

Glad to hear you are in the clear. You might like this guy kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZqsaXyon79prNU I think this tractor was ether only start until he worked on it. A good guy 🙂

[@42lookc]

Old Long 4N1. 5N1 had the crane on top.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sure is a useful piece of equipment. I just wish it was easier to find part.

[@gerlandkent6377]

diesel fuel will gel up in any temp change.

[@audiomez]

Ahh, Perkins run a little better with a lite flame.

[@frankrizzle9436]

allsome thanks

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're welcome, Frank!

[@gerlandkent6377]

[ I, use a block heater on my 1966, case ck diesel backhoe.]🙏

[@MikeKincaid79]

Replaced the starter and have an easier time with it now. Considering a block heater.

[@cblincoln9992]

Do heat lamps Mike. Much much safer.

[@michaelmcclure8673]

Thats a ole trucking trick, worked great till the newer composite oil pans. Then there was a few burnt trucks . You really need to use just the coals till it starts. Been a few people forget and start a fire inside the block.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That would suck. I finally got a new starter and fixed the problem for good.

[@bigguy1200]

ether helps out too in cold situations

[@MikeKincaid79]

Michael Watson That startup was with ether. For some reason, this old backhoe is just as cold blooded as they come and it takes a combination of tricks to get her going when it's real cold out. Thanks for the comment.

[@dean-gm1lg]

Looks like a BMC / engine make sure you always got antifreeze in it good old engine but doesnt take much to split block in cold weather

[@MikeKincaid79]

I believe that's what it is. Definitely a good strong engine. I try to baby this thing since it's so old but it's been a great machine for me around here. Just have to keep up on maintenance and an occasional cylinder rebuild.

[@dean-gm1lg]

@@MikeKincaid79we used to get cheap liners for them years ago we once had a firm in hour town that made all the liners for them and many others yeh it's a BMC/ Leyland 498 by the looks of it it's proberbly the Nuffield tractor skid unit as well a lot of early JCB,s were based on the Nuffield skid unit as well as the fordson major good old engine and still a few around here in the UK some had a rotory pump and some had an inline one plus a few nuffields were fitted with a Perkins engine so if it's a Nuffield skid unit it is possible to put a perky in it lol

[@MrPajamaman40]

Gotta do what ya need to do to get her going

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's it.

[@paulsargent6688]

Problem is your oil is too thick in cold weather. Why don't you try switching over to synthetic engine and hydraulic oil. Kubota makes a 75% synthetic hydraulic oil called super UDT 2 and shell makes a synthetic engine oil called Rotella T6. These fluids are much more stable in cold weather then conventional oils. Easier cold starting, better lubrication, less wear. Some truck drivers use it only for the winter and switch back to conventional oil when it warms up. Research cold pour tests for engine oils. You shouldn't have to barbecue your TLB, that's for chickens or sit by the fire with your battery, that's for dogs. Lots of info out there. Hope it is helpful.

[@MikeKincaid79]

+Paul Sargent Thanks for the tip. Biggest problem turned out to be the starter. I replaced it last Spring and the starting got much smoother and more reliable. We'll see what happens this Winter.

[@paulsargent6688]

+Mike Kincaid Glad You got a solution. Looks like You got a lot of good advice from all the posts to your channel. Win Win.

[@parteibonza]

Haha. "How do I get my tractor started in the cold?" Answer: You don't. Keep your ass inside until spring :P

[@sigmundurbrynjolfsson9915]

There is a cold start button on the injection pump

[@MikeKincaid79]

Not on this old thing but sure would be nice. I finally figured out that the starter was old and worn out so I put a new starter on and it solved the problem. This trick sure did help me though when I needed it to start with the old starter.

[@Dieseljonnyboy]

My old man use to do this in the 1930s on fords on tractors. Don't plant rhododendrons they out compete all other plants. Keep to native plants, after all they have evolved to live in your country and they support all the native wildlife that lives in your great country.

[@MikeKincaid79]

+Dieseljonnyboy I love hearing these stories about people remembering their Dads and Grandpas using this method back in the "old days". Thanks!

[@joetiller1031]

Putting either in diesel engines burns so hot it burns the tips off injectors that in turn makes spray to rich and smoke and hard to start.

[@mongomay1]

get another starter for about 135.00 bucks and there are many non-intrusive block type heaters, Push come to shove we used an electric blanket on a gfci. you can get them cheap in the summer time.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Got another starter and it's starting much more smoothly now, thanks.

[@pedrosalles7256]

Como fazer casinha da Ford 4500

[@babetucci34]

didn't show where you put the either,,,,good video

[@MikeKincaid79]

I sprayed into the air intake.

[@bugnfront]

Remember this...that heat breaks down the oil...limit the number of times you do that....

[@MikeKincaid79]

+al bugnfront Got the problem 90% fixed with a new starter.

[@wyattlarrick3246]

Running the machine breaks down the oil more. What's it matter?

[@dickderilict3036]

Put gas on a rag and hold it at the air intake.the fumes will start it right up..dosent hurt anything..done it many times..safer than either..

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's a great idea! Thanks, Matthew.

[@fordnut4914]

A salamander works pretty good

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks. So I finally got a new starter and everything got much easier.

[@LeMecanoDuDimanche]

nice video, thanks. I heard it's called "the russian" way to do it ;-)

[@rkwill100]

now you have a 'ether baby'

[@MikeKincaid79]

This thing is old! It's been an 'ether baby' since long before I got it. Needs a complete engine overhaul but not sure it's worth it. Sure has done a lot of work around here for me.

[@okeedokee16]

It appears your definition of 'cold' is quite 'low'. I used to spend 15-20min starting Russian tractors in -30 to -40C for up to a month at a time after they had an engine heater plugged in all night.

[@MikeKincaid79]

+okeedokee16 It's all relative

[@darrinbunston5932]

Well that's a little risky chimney full of Coles on fire I always use one of those magnetic kat's engine heaters that sticks to the oil pan they come in different sizes stick to that the oil pan plug it in overnight next day everything's all warm there's also kats heater in line the heater hoses and it circulates the coolant and keeps engine warm

[@MikeKincaid79]

Life is risky. This is for emergencies.

[@montneymon-ta-knee6810]

almost dead center above the grass and fence don't try to see it on a small phone screen there are others but this one can be better seen

[@MikeKincaid79]

haha, I'll have to start making videos like Homesteading Off the Grid.

[@montneymon-ta-knee6810]

@@MikeKincaid79 did you see them

[@montneymon-ta-knee6810]

i do have screenshot if you have an email youtube won't allow me to send them here

[@s1914]

Could you not just get a wolverine sump heater ?

[@MikeKincaid79]

+s1914 Well that's no fun

[@BonyFingers1969]

I put some gas in a tin can light it and put that under oil pan on my 1978 F250 when its below 0 F. ....Out in the mountains of B,C, Canada ,,,runnin the trap line...and whiff of either in carb ....

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like you've got your setup dialed in. You guys get a lot colder than us.