Forgot to turn tractor off!

CtRick · Apr 29, 2004

I checked my fuel consumption this morning and it used about 1/2 a tank. It also added around 9 hours to the thing /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. I definitely won't make this a habit. I hope she'll bounce right back from this. Maybe I'll wash her extra nice to make it up to her. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. Thanks for the help.

Rick

cowboydoc · Apr 29, 2004

You're exactly right DT. As far as extended periods at the same rpm that is fine IF you are above the idle speed and burning the fuel. At idle you don't burn all the fuel. At higher rpms you don't get the "wash" or whatever else you want to call it.

755inNY · Apr 29, 2004

Shoot if could have just as well been sitting running a PTO pump or gen set for that long. As long as it did not ever heat I see no problem
Running all night is no differnt than running it all day working the thing 

As others have posted there is a BIG difference between running for extended periods at IDLE vs running for extended periods at working RPMs. My operating manual recommends against extended operation at idle.

Jeff

Charlie_in_TX · Apr 29, 2004

My Mahindra's (by Mitsubishi) owners manual says something like warn up and cool down at 1500 rpms. Don't idle for extended periods of time.

My advise is if you haven't changed the oil yet this year do it now. If you have changed it already, you are 9hrs closer to the next change. I wouldn't streach it out past 50hrs though.

Chances are you didn't hurt anything.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 29, 2004

( At least you didn't run out of fuel. That would have been a major headache from what I hear )

Not to worry All modern tractors have self bleeding injection systems and that is no longer a worry...

GerardC · Apr 29, 2004

I think if it (you) were to have a problem, it would have already.

Tdog · Apr 29, 2004

Rick,

Interesting you would say '50 degree heat'. That's pretty comfortable by my book. I don't think anyone from my part of the county would have used that phrase.

Hope your machine is OK - - -.

michaelaz · Apr 29, 2004

I feel sure your tractor is ok, but I agree with the fellows that say it isn't good for it. I have just retired from thirty years as a truck driver. I just sold my 99 Frieghtliner Classic. Every big truck you see sitting idling somewhere is just like the fellows say, it is a fast idle, not normal idle. Also correct about incomplete combustion when idling too long. The turbo models really need a cool down period when they are hot from working hard. The turbo bearing is very hot and needs to cool before shutdown. In some cases the bearing will cook the oil in it and seize if shut down while very hot. With my Freightliner, it would automaticaly kill the engine after ten minutes of idling which is a good thing computers can do for you. The newer trucks will shut of the engine and restart when you are in the sleeper to save fuel when you need the heater or cooling. I also have a Dodge Cummins.
Michael

RonR · Apr 29, 2004

Wow Michael! How many miles did you cover in 30 years?

Ron

michaelaz · Apr 29, 2004

Over two million, and I must be crazy, I still enjoy driving!
Michael

Poppa · Apr 29, 2004

Michael,

My father is like that. Drove truck for thirty years and his favorite thing to do is still jump into his Ford Powerstroke and drive back and forth between my home here in Colorado and his in Southern California.

Me, I hate to drive on asphalt or concrete but I have no aversion to running around in the dirt /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mike

LBrown59 · Dec 20, 2004

( After spending a few hours on my machine today spreading stone I parked it in the barn to let it cool down for a few minutes. To make a long story short, I took that time to do some touch-up raking, then I rushed off to work without shutting it off /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. It was at low idle for about 9 hours in 50 degree heat. How bad is this for the tractor? It was still running when I came back from work. Oh the terrible shame, I don't deserve her... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Rick )

I think you can sut it off now.
It's been long enough.
LOL

Syncro · Dec 20, 2004

Don't most all 'big' diesels have shutters? Wonder how much that helps at idle.

MMM · Dec 20, 2004

Many bid diesels I work with also incorporate an auto "soakdown" pump that oils turbo bearings after shutdown. For those without it, we run the prelube pump. These big turbos spin quite a while after engine stops. I always wondered why smaller diesel didn't use prelube and have been toying with idea of installing one on tractor and truck.

fishfrank · Dec 20, 2004

Well how many of you have had this one happen? A rat chewed the starter wires on my tractor, they welded themselves together, caused the tractor to crank up (in gear!!!) and it just sat there in the shed against the back wall spinning its wheels. By the time I got to it, it had dug itself almost down to the axle. I have no idea how long it had been going at it. Burned up the starter but after replacing it and the wires it runs fine. I would never have believed it if it hadn't happened to me.

AndyM · Dec 20, 2004

A rat chewed the starter wires on my tractor, they welded themselves together, caused the tractor to crank up (in gear!!!) 

Several years ago, I had had a similar thing happen with an electric forklift at work ...
Apparently one of the contacts overheated and fused together, causing the forklift to take off down the aisle in the factory at full speed. After it slammed into the wall, it started back at me in reverse!
It missed me the first time, so it had to come back to finish me off! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

thcri · Dec 21, 2004

( Maybe I'll wash her extra nice to make it up to her. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. Thanks for the help.
Rick )

Before the wash go and get two new hydro hoses, you know the ones in the front of the radiator, she'll really love ya then,

I know idling isn't good for diesels but when the pickups and vans first came out with diesels we found that leaving them run over night was cheaper than running block heaters. We had some vans that you had to have the block heaters running all night and then they still wouldn't start in the morning. Just left them run all night when we knew it was going to be below -10.

murph

briggs_man · Dec 21, 2004

Idling will indeed cool down a diesel but , They will also warm up to a certain extent at idle also theirs a happy medium they hit and . id say the thremostat stays closed to the radiator for the majority of the time , I have ran rigs i have ran tractors . Owned diesels and have yet to ever see my pickup i own now , no matter how cold it is out side Ever have the temp gauge drop below 165-150 while idling,, Incomplete combustion well thats whene we first crank em up in the cold all that banging missfiring and carrying on that the do,, Havent seen a engine yet cool back down to 0 degrees while idling ,, This up the idle and Incomplete combustion stuff i swear was dreamed up by some nut who dont understand how a diesel engine works or had been around to many with the thermostats removed,,,, With out the thermostat Thene maybe it would cool way way down but ........ With a working stat . Nope

Plus Most fans to this day on most engines are either clutched or electronic so theirs not a constant pull of cold air thru the radiator... last VW Diesel i owned you could leave it Sit and idle all day on a 15 degree day and every now and then that electric radiator fan came on....... Yea sure was cooling off wasnt it , NOT.