How long do you let her "warm up"?

[StrangeRanger]

So I was actually reading my owner's manual and was surprised to see how long they say to let it "warm up" before running the tractor. I was just curious, how long do you let it run just sitting before you start working? I know it's ambient temperature dependent, but give me an idea what ya'll do. Thanks,
j

 

[RoyJackson]

I don't own a Kubota...Deere guy here (790), however this is a question that can be applied to any brand...

I wait until the tractor reaches operational temperature (about ¼ up the scale) if I'm going to work the tractor.
If I'm just moving the machine, I'll idle at 1500 RPM for about 30 seconds before I put it in gear.

 

[Taiser]

Usually until she's running smooth. In winter about maybe 5 - 10 minutes. Now with the warmer weather I find she runs smooth after only a couple. So the answer is...It depends!

If I waited for my temp needle to rise it would be sitting there all day!!! Hopefully in the summer it goes a little higher. Next winter I'll put a shield over the rad and hopefully get the temp up a bit more. Now in the winter the temp barely goes above the "C".

 

[irwin]

Don't see temps as low as they get in canada.. but @30'f my gauge will be@ 1/4 in about 7-10 minutes. so I agree with Roy and Taiser , let her get warm-diesels should be reasonable warm before asked to do any real work..of course most of my experience is with diesel trucks- I am getting more experience with the tractor now though..

tim

 

[StrangeRanger]

I'm not so much worried about the motor. I'm more concerned about the hydrolic system for the tranny and FEL etc. Doesn't that system need to have nice warm fluid running through it?
j

 

[irwin]

You are right- and there are engineers around TBN that can tell you why.

tim

 

[MOPAULY]

In the cold temps, if I'm going to use the tractor, I let it sit a good 5 to 10 minutes for engine temps to come up. This would also make the hydraulic fluid more viscious, which in turn should make the hydraulics function easier.

In the summer I let it idle for maybe 20 to 30 seconds, or long enough for oil to be circulating in the engine.

 

[Bob_Young]

I've got a block heater that gets plugged in for a few hours prior to any cold weather start. It's pretty effective as you can feel warm air coming out of the vents near the top of the cowl after it's been operating awhile. On the temp gauge, the needle's nearly to the middle of the 'C' on startup. Thanks to the heater, the engine runs smooth immediately. But my warmups have little to do with smooth engine operation.

For any temperature between 20 and 45 deg. F., I let it warm up at least 5 minutes @ 1300RPM. Below 20 deg., it warms up for at least 10 minutes. This is to get the hydraulic oil up to temperature and circulating freely. Don't need the jerky operation or risk of a blown hose/filter seal that comes with cold fluid.

Tractors are to help get work done; not create more work.
Bob

 

[George2615]

I'll agree with Taiser that it depends. In real cold weather I let mine warm up about 10 minutes. If its warmer I go after just a few minutes. In either case I don't do any heavy work until the temp gauge comes up to normal operating range. If I lived in the south where its warmer most of the time I'd probably just start and go after a minute or two. I also have an in line lower hose heater for keeping the engine warm in winter but that doesn't warm the HST fluids which is why I take it easy the first 10-15 mins.

 

[Thomas]

-0F or lower good 15mins other than that 10mins,follow slowly raising than lowering the frontend loader and curling the bucket couple times,also 3pt hitch...let the warm juices flow.

 

[escavader]

3 0r 4 minutes,but im real gentle for the first 10
ALAN

 

[bx23barry]

I really don't believe in just starting it up and letting it run awhile and then taking off. I start it up and make sure it has oil press and as soon at it settles into a smoothe idle I raise the attachments and move out in low range (still at idle). By the time I get where I'm going and am ready to get down to "work" everything is usually come up to temp. Not just the engine. It's just a waste of fuel to let anything sit and idle.

 

[Toolguy]

I agree with bx23barry. It will warm up faster if you move it around a little vs. standing still.

 

[Glowplug]

I wait until the tractor reaches operational temperature (about ¼ up the scale) if I'm going to work the tractor.
If I'm just moving the machine, I'll idle at 1500 RPM for about 30 seconds before I put it in gear.

Ditto. That's exactly the way I do it. Often I'll start it idling. Then I'll get off the seat, do a walk around, check air pressure, maybe top off the fuel, etc. Then, before you know it, it's all warm and safely ready to go.

If I waited for my temp needle to rise it would be sitting there all day!!!

I used my tractor on many occassions this winter with the temperature in the low teens. The glowplug would come on for a few seconds. But after idling for about 15 mins the temp gauge would be about 1/4 up. Takes about 5 mins in "warm" weather like about 60 F. Must be REALLY cold up there to defy combustible gases igniting inside metal.

It's just a waste of fuel to let anything sit and idle.

I see it as a waste of 9,000 lbs of iron & steel to NOT.

I even warm up my ZD28 zero turn mower in a similar way.

I agree with bx23barry. It will warm up faster if you move it around a little vs. standing still.

Yeah, I guess it's okay if you guys do it that way. Just don't turn the key, raise the engine speed to 3,000 rpms, put it in hi 4 gear, and pop the clutch so that off you go!!

 

[RoyJackson]

Yeah, I guess it's okay if you guys do it that way. Just don't turn the key, raise the engine speed to 3,000 rpms, put it in hi 4 gear, and pop the clutch so that off you go!!

The manual for my 790 says to open the (hand) throttle completely, then start the tractor.
That sure seems like it would be tough on the engine, so I've never done started the tractor like that. I start with the throttle "closed", then increase the RPM to 1200-1500 once the engine catches.

 

[_RaT_]

.7 seconds after the starter motor stops spinning.

 

[john_bud]

.7 seconds after the starter motor stops spinning.

Try that at -30F with an HST unit..... but have an extra filter and 5 gal of fluid ready!




In spring, summer and fall, it is turn the key start and drive to the place where the work is. That is usually a 2-5 min tractor ride at low speeds.

In winter, I let it run for several minutes with the clutch dogged down then a couple more with the clutch up to warm the fluid but not pop the HST filter. The time of the warm up depends on the temps.

jb

 

[FamilyFarm]

I probably waste diesel at times - in my diesel van and the tractor - but I like to at least see the temp guage moving in warm weather, so probably 3-4 minutes minimum. In colder weather, I usually wait 10 minutes or more and give the hydraulics in the loader a no-load workout before moving on to the worksite.
Terry

 

[_RaT_]

Try that at -30F with an HST unit..... but have an extra filter and 5 gal of fluid ready!




In spring, summer and fall, it is turn the key start and drive to the place where the work is. That is usually a 2-5 min tractor ride at low speeds.

In winter, I let it run for several minutes with the clutch dogged down then a couple more with the clutch up to warm the fluid but not pop the HST filter. The time of the warm up depends on the temps.

jb

Whats that little line thing in front of the 30F for?

 

[StrangeRanger]

Thanks for the tips all. I think I'm letting mine warm up fine, but I hadn't thought about "flexing" the attachments to get the warm hydro fluid flowing. Good idea. Thanks,
j