Warming Up A Hydro Tractor

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by mfreund

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]

Originally Posted by mfreund

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.