Starting your tractor in the winter.

[DarkBlack]

I haven't seen a single post here advocate prolonged low speed idling, so I don't why that grave warning keeps coming up?
There seems to be 2 camps: Run it at mid-high rpm as soon as it fires, and keep it that way for a while.
The other camp advocates, slow idle for a few seconds at start, followed by a brief low-mid rpm run, then remaining warm up doing some light work.
Obviously these machines can survive all the different styles people have-they are after all, tractors.

 

[Jesse masterson]

I don't have a block heater but if it's real cold I'll just turn my torpedo on for about 20 min before stating, letting it blow on it for 20 or so minutes makes the tractor gauge show warm a lot quicker.

 

[dave1949]

( "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.

Well, yes, but isn't some condensation in those areas about unavoidable? That moisture will be cooked and vented out of anything air can enter or leave, with the exception of the fuel tank/system. If air can't enter, how much condensation could there be? Condensation can happen in the fuel tank any time of year--No?

I did once see a ring of ice crystals just beneath my fuel cap, sort of floating in the diesel. I dipped some out and the rest disappeared on its own, without an additive.

 

[buickanddeere]

I don't have a block heater but if it's real cold I'll just turn my torpedo on for about 20 min before stating, letting it blow on it for 20 or so minutes makes the tractor gauge show warm a lot quicker.

Takes a lot more energy $$$ to run a torpedo heater for 20 minutes instead of a block heater for 2 hrs.

 

[buickanddeere]

How so?

How so to who ?

 

[buickanddeere]

Once the engine has oil pressure. Lightly load it at 2/3 of rated rpms until the temp gauge rises 1/2 way towards normal.

 

[Jesse masterson]

If I did that much cold weather starting I would get a block heater but if it's that cold I'm not gettin out unless it's a emergency for my 3 or 4 times a winter energy isn't much os a concern, and those propane torpedoes are very good on energy usage

 

[buickanddeere]

If I did that much cold weather starting I would get a block heater but if it's that cold I'm not gettin out unless it's a emergency for my 3 or 4 times a winter energy isn't much os a concern, and those propane torpedoes are very good on energy usage

Never liked open flame or sparks in the shop and avoid them when possible . Hot exhaust form the torpedo can damage paint, decals and wiring.

 

[Jesse masterson]

.....

 

[check]

I plugged my Kubota BX25 in (Kubota block heater) the first winter, and then slacked off for the next 3 years, because it always started, even at 30 below. After reading all these posts, however, I am going to start plugging it in again, because my poor little 'Bota has to sit in an unheated garage all winter, 2.5 hours North of Toronto (45.24 degrees N. Longitude). I do, however, come and visit her and take her out to blow snow every couple of weeks or so.