Shut it down or let it idle?

[tungularafishcamp]

That's what I always thought especially cold, so I have been leavin mine run as I am bolting pieces of building down, idling it slow but then running it up a bit every so often to run the carbon out, not sure if it is the best thing to do but starting it up cold,in freezing weather a dozen times a days doesnt seem like a good thing for it.:2cents:
Rick

 

[LostInTheWoods]

I had always been told that OTR truckers and bus drivers often leave their diesels running when they stop to eat because its a) easier on the engine, and b) uses less fuel than restarting.

Of course, I have never actually heard this from a truck or bus driver, I just kind of off-handedly accepted it when I heard it. Perhaps this is wrong? I have noticed that these machines are often left running in parking lots at restaurants, etc. Are there other reasons they would do this?

 

[RoyJackson]

I had always been told that OTR truckers and bus drivers often leave their diesels running when they stop to eat because its a) easier on the engine, and b) uses less fuel than restarting.

Of course, I have never actually heard this from a truck or bus driver, I just kind of off-handedly accepted it when I heard it. Perhaps this is wrong? I have noticed that these machines are often left running in parking lots at restaurants, etc. Are there other reasons they would do this?

That idling is prohibited in some states (NY state is one I know of).

I know big trucks do leave their engines running...never asked why, but I'd always assumed it was for the reasons you wrote.
Tour buses leave the engines on to keep the bus cool (in summer) or warm (winter, of course).
Don't know if this still applies, but diesel locomotives used to run continously unless maintenance was being performed on the engine. Continuously meant 24/7/365 days a year. Didn't use anti-freeze in their cooling systems either.

 

[kuboman]

Some how I doubt any of us will wear out the starter or the battery by just using some practical common sense. It makes no sense to shut it off and then restart to pick up a branch or rock, just as it makes no sense to leave it idle while you take 15-20 min to rake the grass for instance. :thumbsup: JMHO.

 

[chickenman]

True...so we have a dilemma...reduce start ups by leaving it idling, or use fuel and possibly coke up the engine.
Which shall it be?

For my choice, read post #17...but I don't stop too often. If I see something I want to pick up or move, etc; I'll finishing the first job (mowing or whatever) and go back.

BTW, you could install a pre-oiler.

tractor engines are made to run at high idle for extended periods of time

once warm the rpm's should be kept high, even when off the tractor

i keep my 4310 at 2000 or above

i used to run it lower but after i started running it at higher rpm's it perked up a bit and runs smother

by lowering the rpm's i was doing more harm than good

as i said the yanmar for the 4310 was originally meant for gensets and ran at 3600 all day

jd has derated it to 2850

my understanding is the 4310 uses about one gal per hour at rated power so idling at a good diesel speed will use just spoon fulls of fuel

 

[dex3361]

Something else to complecate the matter is wet stacking. That is when you idle a diesel and it has incomplete combustion and the fuel can wash the lubricant off of the cylinder walls. Low idle without a load will cause this. So if you are going to leave your machine idle for more than a few minutes set the RPMs up around 1100 or 1200 this will keep it warm enough.

 

[techwrtr2]

That idling is prohibited in some states (NY state is one I know of).

I know big trucks do leave their engines running...never asked why, but I'd always assumed it was for the reasons you wrote.
Tour buses leave the engines on to keep the bus cool (in summer) or warm (winter, of course).
Don't know if this still applies, but diesel locomotives used to run continously unless maintenance was being performed on the engine. Continuously meant 24/7/365 days a year. Didn't use anti-freeze in their cooling systems either.

Illegal in PA too. Every place I pass (and there are a lot of them in my work) where trucks are likely to park has a sign stating it's illegal for trucks over 10k GVWR to idle more than 5min.

 

[RoyJackson]

Illegal in PA too. Every place I pass (and there are a lot of them in my work) where trucks are likely to park has a sign stating it's illegal for trucks over 10k GVWR to idle more than 5min.

I live in south central PA and I can't say I've seen those signs...can't say I've looked for them either. I have seen them in the Buffalo area of NYS.
Some trucks do idle at Tom's in Shrewsbury...seen that. So, that "No Idling over 10K GVWR" might be a regional thing or just not being enforced too well.

 

[chickenman]

how many would leave their tractor running while going for lunch?

i think if you often stop for just a few minutes then the wear and tear would be more than leaving it run at a fast idle

if like me you run for extended periods of time like when i'm mowing several acres of pasture , it is not a problem

if you're loading trash in the bucket to move it and stop for a few minutes every few minutes then stopping and starting would take its tole

 

[ray66v]

At least 6 threads on this subject already. :confused2:

 

[RoyJackson]

At least 6 threads on this subject already. :confused2:

That never stopped us before...

 

[Redneck in training]

I was working in Siberia. All equipment run 24/7 all winter (more than 6 months of a year). Needles to say it was -30 at noon and below -45 at night.

 

[foggy1111]

At least 6 threads on this subject already. :confused2:

Yep....and when were done with this one....lets discuss bucket hooks again. :laughing:

 

[RoyJackson]

I was working in Siberia. All equipment run 24/7 all winter (more than 6 months of a year). Needles to say it was -30 at noon and below -45 at night.

Most of the motorized equipment used when building the Alaskan pipeline ran continuously too, IIRC.

 

[ray66v]

....lets discuss bucket hooks again. :laughing:

I have been wanting to use this one: :mur:

 

[MBDiagMan]

In the nineties, diesel one ton pickups became REALLY popular here in Texas Ranch Country. I had one for quite awhile myself for pullinig a cattle trailer and a gooseneck flatbed for hauling hay and equipment.

Now they are so common, it's not unusual to see a 90 pound lady drive up in a four door, long bed, dually diesel and almost need a ladder to get back in it after parking it at an angle taking up two parking spaces by the front door of the store.

I THINK that it's the fact that these folks see the 18 wheelers at the truck stops idling during lunch, so they think they have to leave these noisy things running all the time. I guess it makes them feel like Cannon Ball Jones or something. Whatever is causing it has things out of hand in this area.

Saturday a week ago, my wife and I went to a little, local boondocks cafe for a liesurely breakfast. It was a beautiful morning and the windows were all open in the area where we were sitting. We had just gotten our coffee and some Cowboy drove up and parked with his exhaust pipe pointing right at our window. He left it running and came in and sat down. I was just about ready to say something to him, when someone even more beligerant than myself asked him if his starter was out. The driver didn't get the hint, so the guy said "would you please shut that noisy thing off?" He went and shut it down, but by that time we could barely breathe. We moved into the smoking area which was easier to deal with than all that diesel smoke lingering in the previously fresh air.

To answer the question of the OP, in the owners manual for my new 5045D it says do not idle it over five minutes. I don't know if your owners manual says the same, but it sounds like quite a long time. It's not good for any engine to idle more than a minute or two when it is necessary, like at a stoplight.

My $0.02,

 

[LostInTheWoods]

At least 6 threads on this subject already. :confused2:

That never stopped us before...

Yep....and when were done with this one....lets discuss bucket hooks again. :laughing:

We could talk flail mowers...:laughing:

Think of it like fashion trends, it all comes back in style with time.

 

[JD755]

It's time for another hydro vs. gears. :thumbsup:

Didn't think those ever stopped.

 

[ray66v]

It's time for another hydro vs. gears. :thumbsup:

I would rather bring back the 1000+ post thread, about an airplane on a tread mill, at least it was occasionally interesting.

Yes, I intentionally did not use the name, from of fear of being shot, as a result of even mentioning it.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

It is all new and exciting for us newbies guys:laughing:
Every diesel motor still runs all winter on the north slope still, anyone wanna buy a 2 yr old diesel pu with only 5000 miles on it cheap? They sell them off all the time, lotsa problems tho, that cold is hard on stuff.
Rick