I have a 1995 Vermeer 1250 that is stored outside. The last couple of days it has been cold (0 degrees) and the chipper has been starting difficultly. The battery is brand new and the machine was recently reconditioned, so it should be in fairly good shape. When we start the chipper in the cold, the battery doesnt have enough power to start the machine. We have been jumping the chipper off of our pickup truck. I am wondering if anyone has any tips on making this chipper start easier when it is cold out? After the initial start, the chipper runs fine and restarts fine. The only issue we are having is with the initial start up. By the way it is a Perkins diesel engine.... 86hp.
Vermeer 1250
- Thread starter emr
- Start date
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arbor pro
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have a 1993 Bandit 200+ with 4l cummins diesel. Same starting problem in the cold. Just had a core heater put in it by my mechanic - same thing you'd use on a pickup. Cost a couple hundred bucks. Plugging it in overnight or even for an hour in the morning takes care of the cold start problem.
Curbside
ArboristSite Operative
Two things to check.
Check your weight of oil in the machine. You might have a summer weight oil in the machine. The other things and probably more likely is the starter is on its way out. In cold weather even knew batteries loose some of its cold cranking amps. If the starter is old and getting close to the end of its life it takes a lot of amps to turn them.
Check your weight of oil in the machine. You might have a summer weight oil in the machine. The other things and probably more likely is the starter is on its way out. In cold weather even knew batteries loose some of its cold cranking amps. If the starter is old and getting close to the end of its life it takes a lot of amps to turn them.
TDunk
Addicted to ArboristSite
As far as i know 99% of all diesel engines only use 15w40. Curbside is right though, the starter could be on it's way out and drawing to much juice. Simple to test that. The battery could be week too, even thought it new. There again, a simple test will confirm that it is still good. Or the Alternator may not be putting out a full charge and causing the battery to not be fully charged. Yup, simple test too. If all that stuff checks out ok, i'd start checking for a bad ground from the battery to the block.
tomtrees58
Addicted to ArboristSite
:agree2:all year 15/40 rotella t
tom treesSteve-Maine
ArboristSite Operative
We always used block heaters. the type that go in where one of the freeze plugs go. I think around $30 at NAPA. We had a Vermeer 1250 and pluged it in about 2 hours before starting. Finally put a timer on electrical outlet so it was nice and warm by 6 in the morning. Good Luck
Something like this? If so, could you just plug this in for an hour or so right before you start the engine, and would it do any good with only an hour to work? Finally, If this is the kind of thing to look for, where would I install it exactly? Sorry if these are basic questions, but the fact is that I know trees, not diesel engines.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...block+heater&gclid=CNXF4aLqoJkCFQECGgodRzREpQ
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...block+heater&gclid=CNXF4aLqoJkCFQECGgodRzREpQ
Curbside
ArboristSite Operative
Those magnet heaters you just stick to side of the block where ever you can get at them usually on the oil pan. I own a 2004 1250 with the Perkins Diesel. Mine will start with really no problems up to about -15c. If its colder and we need the machine then I plug it in. I use a regular block heater not the magnet type. We use a Diesel 10w-30 in ours. I know in the past 15-40 was the normal oil for most diesels. It seems now more and more are moving to the 10w-30. Also if you switch to a synthetic or a semi synthetic you will find easier starting in the cold. If your battery is good I'd still bet that your starter is getting tired.
Oly's Stump
ArboristSite Operative
synthetic light oil in cold seasons is a must!
