Warm up time

[leonz]

When starting my B2710 HST in the garage I raise the bucket a little then pull the tractor outside to warm up. I think it would be better to warm it up before moving but to avoid diesel smoke. Do you think this will harm the tractor over time?

Ii use my salamander for everything- cars, trucks, tractor, log splitter, wheel horse hydro 244/Kubota 2660 wanna be.

 

[ehchvac]

If its real cold I let it warm up a minute, but...
If it above freezing, I drive it like I stole it.

 

[Ken45101]

With an hydrostatic transmission, I think it's important to let it warm up when it's really cold (e.g. below 20 degrees). Also, the Kubota Super UDT is supposed to be better for cold conditions than the regular UDT.

And I think warming the transmission oil is more important than the engine oil in a hydrostat.

If it were zero, I think I'd give it a couple of minutes to warm up in the garage and then ease it outside for more warmup. Just my $.02

Ken

 

[dodge man]

I agree with the others, I think the warm up thing is hard on the tractor. The only time it is needed is when its really cold out. I just try to take it easy the first minute or two after I start it.

 

[StrangeRanger]

If it's really cold out, 0 or less, I usually run out in my skivies, start it up and then sprint back inside to dress for the weather. After about 10-15 min I head out and drive reaaaallll easy. I almost think it's easier to tell w/ the HS tranny, I can tell by the whine it makes when it has warmed up.
j

 

[ibnxe]

As I understand it, when the hydrostatic transmission is in the centered position, no fluid is being pumped. The pump for the other hydraulics is circulating fluid as soon as the engine is running. It takes a lot longer to get the transmission fluid warmed up then the engine coolant.

I start my tractor up and use it right away. I usually start by excercising all the cylinders a couple of times and then go do work. I don't use it hard for the first ten minutes, but it will warm up faster if it is being used. It is not good for any engine to sit and idle for extended periods.

Here in the western part of Washington state, it doesn't get below freezing very often. I use the UDT fluid all year round. I've run my tractor this way for five years now and have had no problems.

 

[rdsaustintx]

GREAT set of responses here.

I do the same thing, crank it and creep out of the barn to get fresh air. Grease a few zerks, fuel it, load required beverages (VERY important), adjust implements and hit the job.

I also use the same oil as you, probably for the same reasons.

Plenty of other stuff to worry about. I don't think you will hurt the tractor

 

[smfcpacfp]

It can get real cold where I live (-40 F), so I use a block heater before I start it when it gets down below freezing - the colder the longer I leave the block heater on. I let it warm up a minimum of 5 minutes and once again, the colder the longer. I follow the directions in the book for warm up period. I don't move the machine until it warmed up and ready to go.

I am retired, so I am not going to use the machine when it is brutally cold unless I have to do so. I think the coldest day that I used it was -13 F and I warmed it up for 20 minutes and had the block heater on for an hour and a half or so before starting it.

 

[LBrown59]

Here in the western part of Washington state, it doesn't get below freezing very often. .

It don't have to get below freezing to be to cold for me.

 

[NIdaho]

Freezing just means you wear long sleeve shirts instead of short sleeve shirts!

Like my dad always said "you won't be cold if you just work harder !"