Tractor in Cold/Snow

granite · Mar 9, 2005

I had to clear my driveway early this morning - 6" of snow with wind drifting to 2' high in spots (very cold and windy). In cold weather, how long should you let the tractor warm up? The bx-23 is kept in an insulated garage (inside temperature was about 30 deg. at 4 am). In New Hampshire, we should be out of winter soon - mud season is next though. I envy those of you in warm climates who get to use your tractors moving soil this time of year.

ByronBob · Mar 9, 2005

My tractor is outside in the winter. I plug in the block heater for at least 30mins. Then start it and wait 15min. It only takes that long to warm the hyd fluid so it's ready.

techman · Mar 9, 2005

granite:

Like any engine you should let it warm up a bit. The hydraulic fluid will also warm a bit during the warmup period.

I usually kick it over and wait 5 to 10 minutes before I start out of the shed (unheated), and try to move slowly at a low speed to the work area. Usually by that time as I start to snowblow, the temp guage is just coming off the peg.

FYI I do not have a block heater, and have not had a problem starting down in the single digits. You must glow quite a bit longer, and when very cold I find that I need to hold the starter engaged as it is sputtering to life, but it runs fine from that point on.

paul

DanR67 · Mar 9, 2005

granite -

My B7610 is kept outside - but sheltered under an overhang behind my garage. I kept the block heater plugged in all winter - don't think I needed to.

The block heater does the job - the radiator is warm & toasty when I check the oil before starting - and there is no delay / extra glow time for starting - she fires right up.

All that being said - I still let her sit there for 10 - 15 minutes in the cold (only @ 5 minutes during the summer) - mostly so that the hydraulic fluid can circulate around the crank case and drop in viscosity.

Then I slowly move all the hydraulics through full range of motion several times - getting the hydraulic oil moving around. Then I drive around slowly at first (@5 minutes) and / or use slow / gentle hydraulic motions. I notice the FEL moves slow at first too - likely higher viscosity of the cold hydraulic oil.

I think I noticed a slightly higher pitch in the whine of the power steering pump at first when it's really cold out - so I kind of listen for that to quiet down before I really start working.

I'm probably taking it "too" easy - but I feel *better safe than sorry*.

Hope that helps - lets pray for a short New England *mud season* so we can get back to work! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dan

Junkman · Mar 9, 2005

This morning I just got on the tractor and glowed the plugs for about 30 seconds... fired up the first try and it wasn't plugged in at all. Was too cold to go out to the garage last night.... -10 in there according to the thermometer on the wall. After it started, I just pulled it outside with the engine just above idle with the blower going. Within 5 minutes the temperature gauge was off the mark and I started blowing snow. This has always been a debate.... is it better to let it warm by idling for 10 minutes of better to drive it slowly until it warms. I think back of the old days when we would start the ambulance or fire truck and run it full tilt while cold and none of those engines ever came apart.... for this reason, I use it gently till it comes to temperature rather than let it idle. I feel that idling for 10 minutes isn't the best for the engine, but everyone is entitled to there own opinion on the subject.. Junk.

MadReferee · Mar 9, 2005

Just this morning at 5 am in my unheated garage, 10 minutes of block heater, 15 seconds of glow plugs and it started right up. Idled at 1200 rpm for about 8-10 minutes while I shoveled in front of the garage door. RPMs to PTO speed and I backed out with snowblower going.

gsxr1100 · Mar 9, 2005

my bx22 does not get plugged in, glow for 5 to 8 seconds MAX and start. Idle for 1 minute at min idle, the go up to 15% throttle for 5 minutes.

Then drive.

So far in almost 3 years it has only not started once on the first try.

rbarker · Mar 9, 2005

( my bx22 does not get plugged in, glow for 5 to 8 seconds MAX and start. )

Boy are you lucky, mine would NEVER start in this weather without the block heater. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

( Idle for 1 minute at min idle, the go up to 15% throttle for 5 minutes. )

That's about what I do too. Once running for a short time I throttle up until it's smooth and let is sit for 5 - 15 minutes depending on the ambient tempaerature.

gsxr1100 · Mar 9, 2005

I can't stand waiting..

Even 5 seconds is a looong time. Most times it is 5 unless it is below zero. If below zero it starts at 8 seconds BUT it makes some weird noises (like any diesel).

So far this year was -18 at the house and it started fine. I hate glowing for a long time....

I remember when I had my Powerstroke it started fine at any temp but made weird noises...really weird. The glow plug light was only on in the for like 7 seconds max. (or there about).

Junkman · Mar 9, 2005

( ........... glow for 5 to 8 seconds MAX and start. Idle for 1 minute at min idle, the go up to 15% throttle for 5 minutes........... )

Do you time this with a stop watch or a wrist watch??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif