warming up in the garage and fumes question

[Deepdrop]

Hi,
I understand that I should let my tractor run for 5 minutes or so until the temperature gauge starts to move. I keep the tractor in my garage, so if I let it run for several minutes in the garage, the house really gets a lot of diesel exhaust fumes, which smell really bad, and probably are not really safe.

I keep a ballast box on my 3 point hitch. So, if I start it up, and immediately lift up the ballast box (800 lbs or so) and drive the tractor out of the garage, is that a lot of work on a cold tractor at low rpm's? And should I keep it at low RPM's since the engine is cold? Or is it a bad idea to make it lift that ballast box at low RPM's?
This is a Kioti CX2510 compact tractor.

Alternatively, I could just leave it outside all winter, but in New Hampshire, that isn't a great option since after some of our snowfalls, I might not be able to find the darn tractor!

Anyway, I'm hoping that some of you more experienced people can offer some advice on what will be the safest for my family, but not too hard on the tractor.
Thanks!

 

[farmeratheart]

IMO - 1) open the garage door 2) start tractor and let run 3-5 minutes 3) raise ballast box and pull out 4) close garage and allow tractor sufficient time for fluids to warm depending on ambient temperature in garage before start

If you raise the ballast box before the hydraulic oil is less viscous you may damage something in your rockshaft linkage- don’t ask me how I know .

Good luck.

Frank

 

[Industrial Toys]

I wrote a reply and deleted it because I realize I am not up on modern Diesel engines and their emmissions.

But if you have a downswept exhaust, how about a hose?

 

[Diggin It]

Install an exhaust port in your garage wall. Use a flexible metal hose from there to slip over the exhaust pipe on the tractor.

 

[4570Man]

I’d back the tractor outside. Driving it 20 feet isn’t going to hurt it.

 

[Henro]

I’d back the tractor outside. Driving it 20 feet isn’t going to hurt it.

Same here. Raise the rear implement or loader a couple inches and back it out and let it warm up outside. No need to over think this...

 

[ericm979]

Raise the rear implement or loader a couple inches and back it out and let it warm up outside.

That's what I do. But it's rarely below 45 degrees when I am operating the tractor.

Also once the engine's started and idling smoothly I let it idle for 5-10 seconds and then bump up the throttle. Diesels warm up slow at idle compared to gas engines because there's no throttle restricting air flow through the engine. All that air carries away heat.

I'll let it warm up at ~1500 rpm and/or let it warm up as I drive it to where it's going to work.

 

[Peter 315]

Well since its TBN if you let it warm up in the garage until the the wife complains then you could build a NEW shop what size do you want.......:laughing: But I would just pull it outside and let it warm up then go to work......

 

[Industrial Toys]

I operate stuff ever so slowly after just having started cold all the time. Lowest gear, slowest possible speed, the slightest touch on hydraulic levers. You know, common sense approach.

 

[fried1765]

Same here. Raise the rear implement or loader a couple inches and back it out and let it warm up outside. No need to over think this...

Exactly correct!
I do it every time!

 

[Rebeldad1]

I operate stuff ever so slowly after just having started cold all the time. Lowest gear, slowest possible speed, the slightest touch on hydraulic levers. You know, common sense approach.

Same here. Sounds like you leave your 800lb box up in the air after you shut the tractor off. You should always take the load off your tractor at night. lower the box on the ground and if equipped lower your loader as well.

 

[Thomas]

As others about start quick exit,good tarp for coving until you get the shed etc. built this year.

 

[MossRoad]

Sounds like a good excuse, ah, er, I mean justification, for a detached tractor shed in the future.

 

[Reb954]

Open garage door.
Start tractor.
Make sure oil pressure is up.
Raise implements.
Back tractor out.
Lower implements.
Throttle up to 1000 to 1500 rpm depending on how cold it is.
Close garage door.
Drink coffee for a bit.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^
Best suggestion. I've never found that my tractor warmed up much while idling anyways. JMHO, but I would never want a full garage attached to my house anyways. The house I grew up in had that, and the upstairs was always filled with fumes.

Another idea might be to install a block heater. That won't help the hydraulics, but at least it won't be such a cold start for the engine.

 

[Deere Dude]

Another idea might be to install a block heater. That won't help the hydraulics, but at least it won't be such a cold start for the engine.

When cold out I plug mine in for an hour then unplug, start and wait a couple seconds, drive out the door at low RPM. Then I putter until the temp is up about half way then rip it to her.

 

[JPRambo]

Put caster wheels under the ballast box. You don't mention a loader bucket. But you could use a furniture dolly under that to slowly move tractor outside garage to warm up.

 

[dodge man]

Like others, I just take it slow and easy a lift the implements up and move it outside. I’ve never been a huge fan of warm ups. For me depending on how cold it is a minute to 2 or 3 minutes. I do try and take it slow when it’s really cold out.

 

[4570Man]

Like others, I just take it slow and easy a lift the implements up and move it outside. I’ve never been a huge fan of warm ups. For me depending on how cold it is a minute to 2 or 3 minutes. I do try and take it slow when it’s really cold out.

That’s pretty much what I do. The main reason is I don’t want to sit around in the cold waiting for it to warm up. Second it could idle all day and the hydraulics won’t be warm.

 

[BrkMstr]

You did not mention if the garage was heated - if it is obviously less time needed for warm up, I start mine, lift the blower 900lbs and move it outside at idle - then raise to 1000RPM for a couple of minutes then to 1500 or 1600 for four or five minutes - my garage is heated so it's halfway there anyway, if it is snowing or raining I take my exhaust hose hook to exhaust open the door a little stick it outside and let it run inside - (haven't got around to the cutting the exhaust port in the door yet) - but it works just as well laying on the ground, I set it so it does not blow back in - exhaust hose is not that expensive they have worked well in commercial garages for years and will do so for you as well.....