Starting when cold
 

Its about 6 degrees out now. The 1450 started (with some effort). The 1650 dont like it. It turns slowly, and eventually runs the battery down. Even in warmer weather its a slow turner but fires easily without choke even.

Any good tricks for starting these engines when it cold out? I think the temps are headed lower. May just wait it out because its going to be warmer soon, but maybe there are some things I could do to help them be more cold starting friendly??

Not sure a lightbulb under the block would do much. And at the moment there isnt the room to get it inside.

When I lived near Ottawa, Canada I put one of those magnetic oil pan heaters on the engine oil pan and another on the bottom of the rear end.
Plus a 60 watt light bulb between the carb and the battery.
Then draped a heavy real canvas tarp over the entire 127.

I find it is easier to start with closed throttle,
and a fully charged battery.

Another thing you could do,I have heard of farmers doing this years ago is take the battery in the house with you at night.

Great suggestion Brian. I also run about .5 oz. of HEET to a gallon of gasoline. Only do this if you have a copper or lined fuel line, as it will dry out a standard rubber fuel line.

Cub Cadet 123

Thinner oil and a larger battery is all I can figure out on mine! Thinking about synthetic oil next time but not sure about it on such an old engine

All of the above are good suggestions, when I was a kid there was an old man who used to call me sometimes to put a large, square, flat pan of hot ashes and coals from his coal stove, under the engine of his truck on cold mornings to help get it started.

As long as you don't risk a fire, anything you can do to get heat to the engine and trans-axle will surly help.

Using jumper cables from your car/truck will also keep the battery from running down when trying to start a cold Cub.

Good luck.

Here's a possible solution. I use a larger version (500 watts) on my boat's diesels. But this is a 50 watt version for small engines. Stick this on the oil pan, plug it in.

https://www.wolverineheater.com/product-p/4.5.htm

they have battery and transaxle versions as well.

I to have to slow cranking blues. My method is I put the throttle up to high. Then I crank the engine a few times and each time it gets more "free". Then I crank the engine open the choke for a revolution or two, close it and release the key and usually I have got her running. Then I immediately bring her Down to an idle and let her warm up for 5-10 min
It seems she is very easy to flood in cold weather. That oil pan heater...does that really work and how would it help the starting issue?

looks like a good idea for easier starting but I think id price one out at a local parts store first. I think you should be able to get one quite a bit cheaper than that.