Okay to Operate Tractor Just Long Enough to Move Outside When Cold?

[VaBeekeeper]

Hey folks,
I know that the manual for my Kubota L3901 HST says to allow the tractor sufficient time to warm up before operating, especially in cold weather, but it's parked in a pole barn that doesn't have the best ventilation, even when the front bay and side door are fully open. I'm wondering whether it would be okay to idle the engine for maybe a minute or so, then gently move it just outside and leave it idling there until it was fully warmed up. The only hydraulic action would be to lift the bucket and the scraper blade slightly so they wouldn't drag on the ground.

 

[jeff9366]

What temperatures do you experience?

 

[KubotaToy]

I do that all the time with my B2710 HST as I use it daily to clean the barn or move hay, 17 years later, no problems. I let it get to the idling smoothly, maybe 20 seconds, then I ease it outside, about 20 feet out of my shop. I idle up to 1100-1200 RPM for warm up, maybe 5 minutes, I usually grease or check air pressure during this time. I will still work lightly for another 5 minutes before any heavy work. I use 5w40 motor and SUDT2 hydraulic oil, which is a world better than the UDT in cold weather.

 

[The Fred]

I wouldn't worry about it. If you are using SUDT2 then go for it.

I use it in everything including my 58 Case crawler and at 0 degrees f I can start the old girl and use the hydraulics straight away without letting them warm at all.

Drive it out gently and let er warm up. I don't let my L3940 warm up much but I do drive off gently and use it slowly if I don't let it warm up enough first. With that oil you really can't tell the difference.

King George Va. lol what's the coldest temps you see 20 above? I wouldn't let it warm up at all if that's the case.

Same as above poster 5W-40 synthetic for the motor and SUDT2 for the trans sump.

Hammer down Fred

 

[9973720wb19]

i'd assume you're treating your tractor much nicer described in your OP than most people. lots of tractors are used by landscape crews, golf courses and other employees and I'm sure they are much harder on the equipment yet it seems to last.

 

[VaBeekeeper]

I wouldn't worry about it. If you are using SUDT2 then go for it.

I use it in everything including my 58 Case crawler and at 0 degrees f I can start the old girl and use the hydraulics straight away without letting them warm at all.

Drive it out gently and let er warm up. I don't let my L3940 warm up much but I do drive off gently and use it slowly if I don't let it warm up enough first. With that oil you really can't tell the difference.

King George Va. lol what's the coldest temps you see 20 above? I wouldn't let it warm up at all if that's the case.

Same as above poster 5W-40 synthetic for the motor and SUDT2 for the trans sump.

Hammer down Fred

It got down to -15 degrees F once, but that was back in 1899 (looking at the record for DC). Generally the lowest temps we'll encounter in a year will be in the single digits, maybe 9 degrees or so, but if that's the case, you probably won't see me on my tractor.

By the way, thanks to everyone for the quick replies! You folks rock!

 

[Bird]

I do that all the time with my B2710 HST

So did I when I had a B2710.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Hey folks,
I know that the manual for my Kubota L3901 HST says to allow the tractor sufficient time to warm up before operating, especially in cold weather, but it's parked in a pole barn that doesn't have the best ventilation, even when the front bay and side door are fully open. I'm wondering whether it would be okay to idle the engine for maybe a minute or so, then gently move it just outside and leave it idling there until it was fully warmed up. The only hydraulic action would be to lift the bucket and the scraper blade slightly so they wouldn't drag on the ground.

The manuals for all five of my Kubotas I've owned over the years state that you should allow warm up time before operating. I was curious about this myself since I also keep my tractors indoors. I asked the dealer and was told "operating" means WORKING the tractor. Backing it out of a garage cold at idle shouldn't cause any harm. As others have posted, using SUDT 2 and 5W 40 oil certainly helps.

 

[Fallon]

I wouldnt wory about creeping out of the barn after a minute or 2 in the slightest.

On my old L3200hst I let it warm up for a few minutes then started plowing. 30 seconds to a minute at low idle to get oil circulated, then kicked up to 1,500-1,700 rpm or so to build a little heat. Took it easy for a little bit to let it warm up, but not that long.

A tractor doing work makes a LOT more heat than one sitting there idling or at a high idle. Hydraulic fluid won't warm up that much unless you work things. Some people put a cylinder in relief to force the oil through the relief valve. That heats thing up quick. Normally a bad thing unless it's freaking cold out. Others fire up the PTO, although I don't think that would heat the hydraulic oil nearly as much.

Plan on treating my new L4060hstc the same, other than remotely turning on the block heater half an hour or more before heading out to start plowing. Might even put a space heater in the cab on low on the same switch. That would be for my comfort not the tractor though.

 

[s219]

I almost always idle my tractor over to some convenient outdoors spot to warm up while I get everything else ready for work. I never let it idle in my barn, but could probably get away with it as I leave the barn doors open the whole day.