Warming Up A Hydro Tractor

[Kubota 2350]

How long do you guy's think I should warm up my JD 4310 in the winter, when say it's below 0 out?

Also does the hydraulic fluid move through the system any time the engine is running, even though the tractor is sitting still?

This is an E Hydro tractor.

Thanks

 

[dfkrug]

The opertor's manuals don't really talk about warm-up, do they?

First, your tractor is always pumping oil while the engine is running:
through the implement pump as well as through the PS/charge pump.
The charge pump is what pushes oil through your HST even when you
have not pushed the GO pedal.

Beyond the first 30 seconds or so, I don't think you need much warm-up.
The HST will not want to work at all in that first half minute or so. Maybe
a bit longer while the charge pump does its business if it is really cold.

With mine, I start moving the tractor in the first minute, but I don't work
it hard for 10 minutes or so and I don't run up the RPMs past 2000 during
those first 10 min or so. Much of that is due to warming the oil in the
engine.

 

[WH401]

At that temp I would give it a little while so the fluids can completely circulate. No the hydro oil really won't warm up much while it's just sitting stationary, but having the fluids circulate will make it warmer than if it was just pooling with the engine off. I usually let my tractor idle for about 5 minutes when ever it's cool or cold out, you never want to start it and just go right off. Plus, under "starting the engine" in the manual on my 3320 it specifically says, "IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! In cold weather, run engine several minutes to allow engine oil and transmission oil to warm. "

 

[saskman49]

My Deere manual suggests running the tractor at 1/2 rated rpms for several minutes before using it in the winter.

I actually run it a few minutes as well in the summer, and as said start at idle then bring the throttle up, just assumed that was a given though. In the winter it is always has the block heater run a couple hrs prior to use via a timer. Also consider 1/2 rated RPM's is only 300 or 400 above idle anyway. I figure the guys who designed and built it know better than me what the machine needs.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I always warm up 5 minutes, winter or summer.

 

[Deadman]

I'd rather warm mine up at idle, than half RPM, seems easier on it.

 

[RalphVa]

I just do my tractor like I do my cars/pickup: start, run gently at first. I've NEVER EVER done warmups. Well, maybe a little bit at -20 F on rare occasions when starting one up in Vermont. Usually had them plugged into an engine heater for 30 minutes or so first; so even then no engine sitting warming up. They warm up best when moving gently. Better on the environment, too.

Ralph

 

[WH401]

I'd rather warm mine up at idle, than half RPM, seems easier on it.

Let it idle long enough so that the engine makes oil pressure, then after that bump it up to 1500 - 1700 rpm, (about half throttle if your PTO speed is 2600 rpms). Letting it idle doesn't really do much except carbon the engine, nor will it build any heat at idle. It's not going to hurt the engine at all to run it at any RPM above idle when it's warming up, as long as it has built up oil pressure of course.

 

[RalphVa]

With 0wxx oil, the oil pressure buildup is virtually instantaneous. I use 0w30 Mobil 1 in every engine I own. It provided 1 mpg increase on my 1983 240D over and above the 5w40 I was using earlier, e.g. went from 29 to low 29 to 30ish mpg.

Ralph

 

[Raw Dodge]

My Deere manual suggests running the tractor at 1/2 rated rpms for several minutes before using it in the winter.

I actually run it a few minutes as well in the summer, and as said start at idle then bring the throttle up, just assumed that was a given though. In the winter it is always has the block heater run a couple hrs prior to use via a timer. Also consider 1/2 rated RPM's is only 300 or 400 above idle anyway. I figure the guys who designed and built it know better than me what the machine needs.

This is what i do with my steiner hydro mowers,and probably the best advice. Idling is counter productive with a diesel, idling doesnt burn enough fuel to make enough heat in the cylinders to warm the engine up in cold temps,it would take an hr to get up to temp.Also fuel gets washed into the oil,and the rings life will be shortened by running on cold cyliners that are lined with unburned fuel.You need to burn more fuel by revving it up off idle to get the btu's to heat the engine up....Run it at 1/2 pto speed for 3-5 minutes and go easy for another 3-5 minutes.

 

[sunnyside360]

Some of the newer John Deere ehydro models automatically open the throttle to about 1400 RPM's at very cold startup and then drop to normal idle speed after about 15 seconds. My 3720 ehydro works this way and I believe the 4320 does also.

 

[Redneck in training]

We have TYM 330 HST with Kubota engine. The manual says to warm it up to 40 minutes when really cold. Makes me thing that it isn't reasonable requirements. I usually start the tractor, pull from the garage on idle, then increase rpm to about half of rated speed and load it gently for first few minutes until the temperature gauge leaves the low stop. After that I load it to whatever the work needs.
One observation: The Kubota diesel will not warm up at idle at all even when the weather is warm. So I think it is better to load the engine to some degree few minutes after the start. I think it isn't the rpm but the load on the engine we should be concerned about when the tractor is cold. Sudden high load can have adverse effect on cold engine due to some parts of the engine heating up faster than the other.

 

[slan]

I warm mine up until the temp gauge is halfway to operating temp.
Here is a way to warm the HST up a bit quicker after the motor is a bit warm.
Put you range selector in neutral and push on the hst pedal for a minute or two. It puts the fluid through the pump and motor just like starting a power shift and engaging the power pack with the trans in neutral.

From the great white north

 

[mfreund]

I warm mine up until the temp gauge is halfway to operating temp.
Here is a way to warm the HST up a bit quicker after the motor is a bit warm.
Put you range selector in neutral and push on the hst pedal for a minute or two. It puts the fluid through the pump and motor just like starting a power shift and engaging the power pack with the trans in neutral.

From the great white north

I have a 4310 (e-Hydro) and the guage barely moves in the summer mowing with a 72" MMM. I would have to wait until spring if I waited for the guage.

I let mine run for a few minutes and the drive it slowly for a few more and then go to work.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I have a 4310 (e-Hydro) and the guage barely moves in the summer mowing with a 72" MMM. I would have to wait until spring if I waited for the guage.

I let mine run for a few minutes and the drive it slowly for a few more and then go to work.

I've found the same thing, my temp gage on my 4310 just barely moves off the peg, even working it hard in the summer heat.
Don't know what it's going to do when it gets really cold.

Does your tractor have more of a Whine in the tranny when it's cold and your moving?

 

[mfreund]

I don't really know, I wear ear protection in the summer mowing and do not in the winter pushing snow. It is noisier, but I am not sure how much. I also use low viscosity hy-guard.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have a 4310 (e-Hydro) and the guage barely moves in the summer mowing with a 72" MMM. I would have to wait until spring if I waited for the guage.

I let mine run for a few minutes and the drive it slowly for a few more and then go to work.

Good answer, a few minutes at idle followed by a few minutes at idle speed in motion and you are good to go. JMHO


Steve

 

[Charlesaf3]

at idle, my kubota diesel warms up, unlike those above. To a couple of bars usually - say 30%

 

[KevPH1]

The reason for cold weather starting/warm up, is the "cold thick" oil can blow the filter and/or seals resulting in oil weaks. Warm your cold tractor at idle at least 10 min. The colder the temp. lncrease the idle time.

Winter cold around 10 deg. and below be very careful. Your Idling/warm up time could make the difference! Happy seat time or expensive wrench time ;( you choose.

 

[Charlesaf3]

a thought on the "idle is bad" take. If its so bad for modern diesels, why is it even an option on the throttle? Be simple enough to make the minimum idle higher I'd bet.

Makes me wonder if the idle is bad theory is one of those leftovers that is no longer accurate.