Tractor warm up

[bobsphotos]

I recently started doing volunteer work at an animal sanctuary and they have 2 tractors. A JD 2520 Hydro and an oldie but goodie JD 950. People will start these tractors and put them right to work with no warm up. For example, it is -6 F here this morning.
How long do you folks let your tractors warm up? I would wait for at least 15 minutes in winter.
Thanks,
Bob W

 

[Agvg]

This is a answer with many answers, the get warm much faster with a little load, suppose the use is very light.

 

[DLTTrekkers]

How far do you need to drive before you starts to work ?
Mybe thats enough time to warm-up the tractor ?

 

[Thomas]

Good 15 mins in cold temps than slowly raise fel roll bucket couple times and 3 point hitch before moving,no high speed until tractor gauge show warmth but that me.

 

[beenthere]

Don't say if the tractors set outside, or are housed in a cold shed.

Mine sets in an unheated shed, and it is 'start up' and go.. but usually only traveling a short distance to any 'work'.

I don't believe there is much difference between moving about vs. sitting still with engine running regards lubrication of parts.. just sayin...

 

[JerryK]

Your tractor will not build any heat in it idling at 800rpm. If you let it idle at the 800 for a minute then raise it up to around 1300, it will help some. I let mine sit at the 1300 for about 5 minutes [ moving it outside with the PTO spinning ], then raise it up to around 1900-2000 and slowly make it go to work. But to build real heat, you have to really work it. I have my radiator blocked down to a 9" circle so it will build enough heat even when I am working it. It is common for most diesel tractors to need some type of winter front during the winter. If you do block some of the air flow, you need to monitor your temp gauge to make sure you are getting up to your summer operating temp, but not above it.

 

[HillStreet]

During the winter I start in the unseated garage and let it run for 10 minutes or so while I put on my boots and outer great. Then drive around a bit to warm it up more. Cool down is same, park/idle/turn off.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I dont think you gain anything by warming for more than 5 minutes. Any idling diesel engine even at 1500 RPM doesn't generate much heat when it is below freezing.
I would start it up at not more than 1000 RPM, let it idle for about 5 minutes at most, then begin moving it around but not more than 1500 RPM. Use this time for travelling from the storage area to the work area. By the time you have got to the work area and another 3-5 minutes has past you should be ok to do more work.

The tractor isn't going to get any warmer when idling around until you start to put some load on it. You can fast idle it for an hour and it is going to be the same as it was after 5 minutes.

 

[PeterK]

Hi Bob,
I live in Maine too. My KubotaBX diesel stays in the garage unheated. Cold days I switch the glow plugs on with the key for 8-10 counts, start it, immediately slow out of the garage so the fumes are outside, then let it run at high idle (normal is 1450rpm so a little bit higher,) until the temp gauge is in the operating range, usually about 5-10 minutes before moving or using the tractor. No load until warm. And yes of course it will warm at idle, but quicker with a little more throttle, so that's what I do. I also use PowerService (silver or white depending on the season) in the tank and have since new (over 1000hours ago.) Mines does not soot like many, barely a puff of black even under load so I must be doing something right.

 

[bobsphotos]

Don't say if the tractors set outside, or are housed in a cold shed.

Mine sets in an unheated shed, and it is 'start up' and go.. but usually only traveling a short distance to any 'work'.

I don't believe there is much difference between moving about vs. sitting still with engine running regards lubrication of parts.. just sayin...

Sorry about the missing info:
The 2520 is in an unheated barn and the 950 sits outside 365.
Bob

 

[jbrumberg]

When it's below 32ºF I'll get both the engine block heater and HST filter heater preheating the tractor; timing is dependent upon ambient temperature. I'll toggle the engine pre-heaters twice and start the tractor @ ~2000rpms and then back off the rpms to ~1500. Once I see movement on the temperature gauge (~5 minutes) I'll get the FEL and 3PH hydraulics moving before I put the tractor in gear and start off in reverse.

Everyone has their own method, secret prayers and procedures, and language expressed during start up.

 

[nybirdman]

Mine sits outside year round;have a block heater for the engine.I start and let idle(1500 or so),I am more concerned with warming up the hydraulics and transmission(HST).With PowerService and winter fuel it starts fine.Minus 8 F,this morning but don't need the tractor.

 

[jbrumberg]

My tractor sits outside as well. There are aftermarket thermostatically controlled (metal) fuel and hydraulic pre-heaters available that slip over the fuel and hydraulic filters. Last year in temperatures similar to yours I had no problems starting and no hydraulic whine.

 

[Millalien]

I’ll idle it for a couple of minutes then run light w little or no load for another few minutes; also cycle the hydro before loading it up too. I don’t think my 3 cyl Yanmar needs a whole lot of warm up time.

 

[buickanddeere]

I recently started doing volunteer work at an animal sanctuary and they have 2 tractors. A JD 2520 Hydro and an oldie but goodie JD 950. People will start these tractors and put them right to work with no warm up. For example, it is -6 F here this morning.
How long do you folks let your tractors warm up? I would wait for at least 15 minutes in winter.
Thanks,
Bob W

. Using block heaters to start at those temperatures ?

 

[arlen4720]

Type of oil would be important too. If I had less experienced operators, I would want the best synthetic 0-40 diesel oil in them. It would flow better, quicker, and might make up for some poor operating habits. I keep my machines in an unheated shed and will usually plug them in when temps drop to 10-20 deg F.
I let them run for a good 10 minutes at 1500rpm or so to get the hydraulics warmed up a little, then I take it pretty easy for another 10 minutes.

 

[LouNY]

Mine has to sit outside so it gets the block heater so it will start easily,
once its started I'll give it a minute or two then place the range transmission in neutral and the main in 2nd or third and place the shuttle in forward or reverse, i'll hear and see the rpm drop a couple of hundred and then I'll get out and do a bit of shoveling or just put the power cord away while it runs for 4-5 minutes that way when I get back in I'l raise and lower the loader gently a few times, raise and lower the 3 point and then start working her gently
till she has a bit of heat built up.
I also have most or all of the radiator screen covered up when it gets cold.

If you look closely you can see it's covered in this picture, I worked her about 3 hours or so today and the
engine temp never got over mid scale the same as it runs normal in the summer.
The hydraulics are nice and responsive with no whine or chattering.

 

[Motorboatin]

My truck is diesel. When I get in the seat and start it on a cold day it lumbers at around 800rpm and sometimes its takes a second or two for all cylinders to kick in. If I use the remote start it’s at 1300rpm until I put the key in

I think Ford knows more than I do

 

[4570Man]

My truck is diesel. When I get in the seat and start it on a cold day it lumbers at around 800rpm and sometimes its takes a second or two for all cylinders to kick in. If I use the remote start it’s at 1300rpm until I put the key in

I think Ford knows more than I do

When I start my diesel truck in the cold I try to give it at least 5 minuets and then keep the rpms low until it’s built up some more heat. I pretty much give the tractor the same procedure. I figure it would take hours of idling to get the hydraulic fluid warm assuming it ever happens so I put it to light work pretty quick. My truck runs way better with the block heater plugged in. The tractor starts and runs pretty good in the cold and doesn’t have a block heater so I haven’t bothered getting one.