darn ether butten ** Farmall 544**

Then there were the guys that built fires under the diesel. Charcoal works the best, fill a cast iron fry pan with charcoal, put it under oil pan. I have done this, but you must make damn sure you have no fuel or oil leaks. I suggest users of this system not notify their insurance co.

Today there are some quite decent propane block heaters. They work well, and if I were still at this, I certainly would have one.

In the 1970s and 80s ether was the best option, sure we knew the pitfalls. The interesting part is my John Deere, which got a dose of ether most every day all winter, went 13,000 hours to it's first engine rebuild. I did get very close to 10,000 hours each on 3 Farmalls that rarely ever saw ether. They were always at farm and all had good working block heaters. I don't ever remember using ether on 656. 560 once when glow plugs were not functioning. I doubt if 1066 ever got ether more than a couple of times. Those tractors were rarely ever started in winter.

I quite frankly believe, ether if used sensibly, probably no worse than any cold start. I do know that a warm can of ether is far more effective than cold. We do know that without a block heater in cold weather 85% of engine wear occurs in first 10 minutes of operation. How much worse than that can proper use of ether be? I've seen guys use 2-3 cans per week of ether on one diesel. I don't think we ever used more than 2 cans per winter with that Deere system.

This is where Deere had a better idea. Ether is twice as effective when warm, so take the can to a nice warm building for storage. You install a Deere nozzel in manifold, pipe it to a Deere receptacle. You will use about 1/3 the ether and be more effective.

I went to a remote area one morning to start my Deere. Temp was hanging around -30C, no electricity as I would normally plug in circulating block heater and not use any ether. Far better solution, but one must be ready for being where there is no power. Couple of bystanders, started cat calling," that old Deere aint going to start this morning." As I got out of the pickup I slipped that ether can in my coverall pocket. I was able to keep ether hidden from them, and feather it slowly enough, they never noticed any surges on the diesel. It started very quickly. Warm ether is the answer. Those old boys told everyone for miles how well that Deere started with no artificial assists. I never did tell the two guys the difference, they were solid Detroit diesel fans.