To start or not to start

[KENSFM]

I own a JD 650 that is used this time of year only for snow removal. We live in Southeastern MA and although we have had some snow most of the big storms have missed us or turned to rain. My JD just sits in the garage just waiting to go to work. My question, should I start it up once in a while just to keep everything ready or let it sit until that big storm comes. Any opinions?
Thanks, Ken

 

[hazmat]

I'd run it once a month or so, just so there aren't any surprises when the big snow does decide to come.

If you do start it, let it get up to operating temp. This is better for the engine & allows the battery to charge up a bit as well.

Where in MA? I hail from Dartmouth, now live in West Newbury (Near Haverhill& Newburyport). We've got 2+ feet on the ground now. What a difference 100 miles makes!

 

[grainger12002]

Well Here goes, you should get a few on this one, start it up, warm it up and get soem moisture out of it. normal warm to cold will make moisture,plus it does not wnt to be alone out there and say nothing all winter=Talk with your tractor !!!

Lloyd

 

[stmiller2]

I can't speak for JD's recommendations, but the owner's manual for my NH TN55 provides a "to-do" list if the tractor is to be left idle for more than one month. Using the tractor monthly keeps the injectors lubricated.

 

[KENSFM]

Hazmat, I live in North Dighton, MA not too far from where you used to live.
Ken

 

[hazmat]

My parent's used to store their boat at a yard in Dighton. Small world!

 

[RobertN]

A few years ago, we were in Ct for vacation with friends. They took us from New Milford, up highway-7 I think, all the way up to Killington and Woodstock Vt. Did we pass close to you guys? It sure was beuatiful countryside up thata way.

We also took a day trip from New Milford up to Mystic. That was nice too.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

When you shut it down, stuff a rag in the exhaust, and cover the air cleaner intake with a baggy so the machine doesn't suck in cold air as it cools down. This prevents moisture in the cold air from getting to the valves.
Definitely run it up every couple weeks. just remember to pull the rag out of the exhaust and remove the baggy first.

 

[hazmat]

Robert,

You were a fair bit West of Dighton or West Newbury. New England sure is charming ehh?/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[frank_f15]

IF IT WERE ME I WOULD START IT(oops) and run it and take it out and drive it, and cycle all the hydrualics a few times. just make sure you get everything good and warm and lubricated, course u could also drive it down here and move some of my snow/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I start mine (Deere 4200) and run it at about half throttle every couple weeks in the barn if I go that long without using it. I don't know about a tractor, but with a car running it just at idle speed doesn't give it enough RPM to charge the battery (at least that's what my Dad told me years ago /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif ).

 

[rdbrumfield]

Your dad was right at the time of the generator. Alternators on the other hand will charge at an idle.

 

[Soundguy]

My NH dealer told me if I was going to leave mine set for over a month, to start it once a month, and then back it out ofd the barn, switch into 4wd and pull back in, then disengage.. Was said that that keeps the tops of the gears in the front drivetrain from getting surface rust from condensation.

Soundguy

 

[RobertN]

It's a good idea to start them and run them. It helps charge the battery, and gets the oils circulated.

When you do though, you want to run it up to full operating temp. You want to vaporize any mositure that might have built up in the motor. You also want to get it hot enough that it is not making more moisture.

You know how you get water coming ff the exhaust on a cool morning when you first start your truck or car? That's a byproduct of the cumbustion process. Once the engine and exhaust are warm enough, you don't have all that water coming out. That's what you want to shoot for.

My Granpfather used to go through an exhuast system every couple of year on his '69 GMC 2500. He used a work truck most of the time. He used this truck around the ranch, and a trip to the store once a week(only about a mile). That 396-4bbl just did not warm up in that short trip. It left lots of moisture in the exhaust, and the exhaust would just rust out(before stainless exhaust became popular).

It's also good to drive them a bit, just so the ring gears in the diff's throw some oil around(as well as the rest of the gears).