Start it or leave it for spring

[Mulligancreek]

I have a MF 1736 that I leave at my hunting property in northern Michigan. It is stored in an unheated garage. It is less than a year old and has only twenty hours on it. Because of health problems I have not been up to run it since last summer.
I will be up there to check on some logging that is being done in a couple weeks.
The question is do I start the tractor and run it or leave it for spring. Or doesn稚 it matter. I won稚 need to use it I just wonder what is better for the engine. It does have winter ant-gel in the fuel.

 

[Agvg]

Would have started it, and let it run for a while, moved it and so on.

 

[Egon]

Wait till you need it.

 

[HillStreet]

This could require a battery charge and pre-heating the engine. Then let it run for a while.

 

[Ortimber]

Equipment that is left sitting seems to deteriorate in my neck of the woods, therefore i say start it and run it around for 15-30 minutes.

 

[jaydee325]

Wait till you need it.

What he said.

I'd pull the battery and bring it home with me and put it on a maintenance charger until you go back up to get some work done with the tractor.

If you do decide you absolutely have to run it, then at least take it out and work it until everything is up to operating temperature (engine, transmission sump) to ensure you don't shut it down with moisture anywhere in the sumps. Just letting it idle for 15-20 minutes is not good for it.

 

[Agvg]

Most tractors that are hobby machines is cold started many times without any problem, I cold start mine all the time and use it for some minutes and one is 47 years old and the other is 43 years old, and what's the problem? Of course if it is very cold I don't start them for no reason but I like the idea of let it move now and then and not sit for month's on the same spot.

 

[Thomas]

If you decide to start do double check for mice chipmunk etc. chewing and nest.

 

[newbury]

Wait till you need it.

Leave it alone until you either NEED it or can work it for several hours.
If this is how you plan on using it for future years you should probably investigate the best way to get the battery on a maintainer.

 

[Agvg]

Suppose non of you use your car for short trips in the winter? It's a tractor, it's made to use, it's not a museum piece.