Oil & Fuel Idling your diesel tractor

LBalliett · Sep 16, 2010

Hey, I was wondering if there is any problem with idling a modern diesel tractor for extended amounts of time. Last year my dad was having problems with his 2004 diesel ford truck. He took it to the shop and they had to replace the EGR due to a carbon build-up. They told him that idling it for a while, even just every once in a while, would cause the build-up. It blew his mind because he grew up with people who would idle their diesels for hours without consequence. He never idled it too much, maybe just ten minutes here and there but he doesn't anymore, that fix was expensive!

I'm just wondering if the same goes for kubotas now. I have a 2009 L4400 and I'll idle it for a while sometimes when I'm loading the bucket with feed bags or something else. Times when it makes more sense just to leave it running. Also, I'd hate to lose the ability to run it for a long time on a low RPM, to use the PTO to run an irrigation pump or something similar.

Thanks!

flyingcow · Sep 16, 2010

I don't think the new tractors have the emissions that the pickups do. Should be alright. I got a lot of dairy framers that have tractors idling for hours. No problems.

countrybumpkin · Sep 16, 2010

Yep that is a problem with the newer trucks, seems ford has had a issue with the 6.0 with this, I have one and use the high idle anytime I need to let it run for more than just a couple of minutes. (It's just a matter of hooking up one wire under the dash to a 12 volt supplied switch) As for the tractor flyingcow is correct on most of the newer tractors not having all the emissions stuff. If you want a little reading look up "Wet stacking" on google or what ever.

ibnxe · Sep 16, 2010

Extended idling has never made much sense to me. I'm sure there are many that will disagree with me on this. I start my BX23 at part throttle, maybe 1500 RPM and drive off within 30 seconds. If I get off the tractor or am stopping for any period of time, I turn it off.
I agree with countrybumkin, in that everyone should read up on the term "wet stacking". This condition is not good for any diesel engine, and can be a direct result of excessive idling.

baryon · Sep 17, 2010

My BX25 manual warns not to operate the tractor before it is sufficiently warmed up. They specify to warm up the engine at 50% of rated RPM for at least five minutes if the ambient temperature is above 32 degrees farrenheit.

DiezNutz · Sep 17, 2010

No, excessive idling is not a good idea for *any* Diesel engine.

Here's another term to Google: "diesel cylinder wash"

And if for no other reason, why burn expensive fuel you don't have to.

Or to think of it another way, is there any advantage gained by excessive idling? Any compelling reason to do it? No, and no.
So if it can't help, and it can possibly hurt, then why do it.

About 5 minutes while warming up or loading the bucket is OK. More than that and I shut mine off.

Just to be clear, by "idling" I'm specifically referring to a stationary tractor doing no work with the throttle in the lowest position. Any other condition may not be considered idling.

Duffster · Sep 17, 2010

Idling is inevitable with chore tractors. Tractor may run several hours to all day with only small amounts of use. These tractors will be destroyed faster by shutting them off then by letting it ldle.

If the tractor needs to run then no you really won't hurt it.

lilranch2001 · Sep 17, 2010

just what we need, andother dilema

:confused2:

DiezNutz · Sep 17, 2010

Duffster said:
These tractors will be destroyed faster by shutting them off then by letting it ldle.

If the tractor needs to run then no you really won't hurt it.

Care to elaborate or offer any basis for those bold opinions?

DiezNutz · Sep 17, 2010

lilranch2001 said:
just what we need, andother dilema

:confused2:

I know. Situations like this, I try not to tell people what to do with their equipment but encourage them to get the facts and think/decide for themselves.

Deerlope · Sep 17, 2010

I don't know about tractors but I do know that according to the EPA it is illegal to let a diesel truck idle over 5 minutes.

SpudHauler · Sep 17, 2010

I don't know what country your in, but if I had a penny for every one that doesn't, I'd be rich.:laughing:

montelatici · Sep 17, 2010

I turn my tractors off and rarely let them idle.

A farmer friend of mine lets his many tractors idle all day and says it saves the starter and that starting uses more fuel anyway. He also says that the maximum wear on a diesel engine is during the start when the engine oil has not yet begun to circulate. More starts more wear.

He may be right with the amount of use he puts his tractors through. For me turning them off is quieter.

Transit · Sep 17, 2010

After reading about the pros and cons of Wet Stacking, the subject flies in the face of those that have problems with Overheating Engines and remove the thermostat to cool the engine. At high power settings with or without the T-stat wet stacking should not be a problem, however at low or idle power without T-stat, prolonged running may start building carbon and oily deposits.
The solutions look easy, be sure to have the correct T-stat temperature range and brush hogging will give the engine a good workout to burn out the deposits.

Motractr · Sep 17, 2010

I sure do love this forum. Very informative.

I have a 6 cyl. Deutz diesel that runs a backup pump I use in case of power outages or emergencies on the farm. I start it every few months without engaging the pump to keep the motor ready for action. With it's upright stack, it would form a smoky ooze that I attributed to a stuck or non seating valve. After reading these posts- it's probably wetstacking. I will be now loading the motor when running it.

Thanks to all for the info.

Don87 · Sep 17, 2010

DiezNutz said:
No, excessive idling is not a good idea for *any* Diesel engine.

Here's another term to Google: "diesel cylinder wash"

And if for no other reason, why burn expensive fuel you don't have to.

Or to think of it another way, is there any advantage gained by excessive idling? Any compelling reason to do it? No, and no.
So if it can't help, and it can possibly hurt, then why do it.

About 5 minutes while warming up or loading the bucket is OK. More than that and I shut mine off.

Just to be clear, by "idling" I'm specifically referring to a stationary tractor doing no work with the throttle in the lowest position. Any other condition may not be considered idling.

This is the part that most people don't understand. And this is also the part that will cause the most damage to the engine. If you are going to let it run.......bump the throttle up by 2 or 300 rpm, so that the 'excess' fuel is burned which will eliminate 'wet stacking', and........."crankcase dilution".
For those not familiar with that term..........it is unused fuel, seeping past the piston rings, going to the crankcase, diluting the oil..........causing premature wear to the main bearings, as well as crankshaft bearings, cylinder wear....and more.
So if idling more than a few minutes........bump the rpm's up a little.(as someone stated earlier).
By the way.........I'm a firm believer in letting a diesel run, if it's going to be about 15 or 20 minutes. More than that, I shut down.

Cat_Driver · Sep 17, 2010

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foggy1111 · Sep 17, 2010

Ever notice that delivery drivers turn their engines off when they make a stop? I have been told that UPS believes starters are cheaper then fuel.

I don't mind a few minutes idle time myself....but any substantial time...and my tractor gets shut down. Also, when unattended, I don't have to worry about a busted hose or a fire, or some other nasty surprise.

aczlan · Sep 17, 2010

foggy1111 said:
Ever notice that delivery drivers turn their engines off when they make a stop? I have been told that UPS believes starters are cheaper then fuel.
I don't mind a few minutes idle time myself....but any substantial time...and my tractor gets shut down. Also, when unattended, I don't have to worry about a busted hose or a fire, or some other nasty surprise.

I would guess that the deal with UPS, Fedex, etc is as much about the liability of an running unattended truck loaded with others peoples packages as about the cost of fuel vs the cost of an engine or a started.

Aaron Z