Starting your tractor in the winter.

[FatTire]

The manual for my Kubota MX5100 says (pg. 15) warm up at approximately 50% of rated RPM for:

Approx 5 minutes at temps higher than 14F
5-10 minutes at 5 to 14F
10-20 minutes at -4 to 5F
>20 minutes at less than -4F

It also says do not operate "under full load" until sufficiently warmed up. So based on this I feel OK moving the tractor as soon as I see the temp gauge come up by about a needle's width. For this engine 50% is 1350rpm. And in any case I usually use a block heater for temps less than 15 or 20F.

 

[RalphVa]

One generator now is a 12.5 kw (approximately near 20 hp) diesel. It has to come on and immediately do some work, albeit at fairly low ("fast idle" according to JD for the speed it's run at) rpm. My lawnmowers are started at full rpm.

You're just wasting fuel letting it sit and idle. Work it. Gently at first and then more so as it warms up.

The HST is the main thing that can possibly build up high pressure if the oil is too viscous, but it has override safety valves built in. The fluid in it is fairly thin, for a reason.

Ralph

 

[TerryR]

No 1 Diesel is not something you will ever see or need down in NC. It is common in the winter months up here and in Canada.

Thanks, vtsnowedin,

That explains it. We think it's cold when it gets below the mid-20's, and we rarely get below zero. I use my tractor in cold weather only for plowing snow, and try to wait until the temps are up to above freezing (being retired has its advantages). The tractor is in an unheated barn, but if there is any sun out it's probably above freezing inside by the time I get to it. So even with a recommendation for 32 degrees and below, I don't really have a problem.

Terry

 

[bigbull338]

when we crank our tractors in winter or summer we let them idle for 5 to 10 mins before using them.

 

[TKSalty]

Thanks guys,

I read thru my manual a few months ago after buying my first tractor... First diesel, but I totally missed the part about warming the engine at a higher RPM. I'm going to go back and read the manual again. Again, thanks for the info.

 

[Egon]

( "What condensation do you speak of? In cold weather the dew point is usually below freezing." )

Warm tractor hits cold air, moisture in fuel tank, gear box etc. condenses.

 

[buickanddeere]

The advice from the other site was old wife's tales . Use a block heater and even transmission heaters .
Revving an unloaded engine for extended periods of time accomplishes little good.

 

[buickanddeere]

when we crank our tractors in winter or summer we let them idle for 5 to 10 mins before using them.

Waste of fuel and causes condensation.

 

[rsallen]

How so?

 

[DeereMann]

Mechanical Engineer for a "major diesel engine manufacturer" advice:

1. As sage TBN members point out, heed the engine manufacturer's recommendations first & foremost. There are sufficient differences in engine design, age, & type such that there is no specific one-size-fits-all cold start diesel engine recommendation.

2. Generalizations (i.e. - if you forget, don't have your manuals handy, lost them, etc.) - obviously, diesels are heat engines - they make their own heat without aid of a spark plug. In cold weather conditions (<40F) it is best to:
Use a block coolant heater several hours prior to start
Use blended fuel (No. 1 / No. 2 blend appropriate for temp), or at least treated No. 2
Use appropriate viscosity engine oil (synthetics always help)
Use enough battery ampacity
Cycle your glow plugs / grid heater several times prior to cranking.
Run at moderate speed unloaded for ~ 5 minutes
Run with moderate loads for another 5 minutes

It is never good to run a diesel engine at low speed idle more than a minute or two. The only exception to that is very large, very expensive engines that don't have access to pre-lubing (think: many cylinders). Low speed idle leads to wet stacking of piston rings, clogged injectors, etc.