Better to idle the tractor or turn it off?

shortthrow50 · Mar 10, 2012

nvm. different subject of idling. post below says it all.

D7E · Mar 10, 2012

10 mins ..1/2 hour..1 hour idling wont do no harm so long as it gets "WORKED" inbetween to clean it out !

Up here when it's -35c and no where to plug in semi drivers will let them idle all night rather than fail to start in the morning ..our grain loading tractors idle for hours whilst waiting for trucks to return . Generally farm tractors are pushed regularly so a few hours idling here and there makes no difference .

Don87 · Mar 10, 2012

First one said:
Oh you better hope she don't find out you said that or your going to have a honey:laughing: do list a mile long

I'm keping this post hidden:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Don87 · Mar 10, 2012

DKCDKC said:
All the new John Deere and, I believe, Kubota manuals have warnings about extended idling for diesels because of carbon build-up.

Personally I go with the 3 or 4 minute rule... Longer than that I shut it off. I might also look for ways to shorten wait, like pulling off mulch in large quantities and going back later to actually spread it.

The key here is to not do a slow idle, but do a fast idle. About 1,000 to 1,200 rpm's will prevent carbon build up.

rgs03833 · Mar 10, 2012

If its Cold, let it idle... But if its warm, just shut it off but don't turn it Off and On every 10 mins.... LOL.

Starter cost less than an Engine, plus it's better to have good Air around you while working

. Good Air = Happy Worker(s) and more Productive

HatTrickHero11 · Mar 10, 2012

Interesting thoughts. Well this tractor is in California. So it's definitely not anywhere near that cold.

The tractor is a diesel. My dad said its better to idle diesels or so he was told growing up and just wanted to know why that is and if it is true.

rgs03833 · Mar 10, 2012

HatTrickHero11 said:
Interesting thoughts. Well this tractor is in California. So it's definitely not anywhere near that cold.

The tractor is a diesel. My dad said its better to idle diesels or so he was told growing up and just wanted to know why that is and if it is true.

Diesel... OH... that's gonna change a bit.

Most newer Diesel Engines these days you can run / drive under 3 mins. I think your Engine is older... But Fuel are better now. I'd Shut it off.

Most people said idling with Diesel is NOT a waste, not true... For big Heavy Trucks... About 1 Gallon an hour

Most Mfrs. said Diesel idling actually does more damaging, than starting and stopping. Well Starter cost less than an Engine

Diesel Fuel are better now, it can withstand cold weather and your Dad was right. Fuel was Gelling up, now they have better mixtures... You are lucky you are not in the Cold cause you need Anti-Gelling additive or mix kerosene with your fuel.

Diesel Exhaust Stinks... Plus your eyes, throat, lungs, brain... and headache / dizziness and your overall health?. Like I said before " Better Air, more productive.

Conclusion: Shut it Off, leave it if On for less than 3 mins :thumbsup:

namesray · Mar 10, 2012

i agree with turn it off. it might also depent on how much you do that a day. is it something that you do all day long for a couple of weeks? if so, then that much turn off/start back up might be bad. but if you are just going out for a while to work and it is only something you do occasionally, then i would shut it off and enjoy the peace and quiet while spreading the mulch. the idea of bringing more mulch or stockpiling it at your working area to limit the number of start/stops is a good idea if you can do it. if you do let it idle, high idle of around 1300rpm to reduce soot buildup.

HatTrickHero11 · Mar 10, 2012

If I do idle low, where would the soot build up go to?

Ford tractor · Mar 10, 2012

Old diesels tend to cool off a LOT when low idling. That can lead to a host of bad issues.

If I'm just jumping off quick, I let it run. If it will be more than a couple minutes, it shut it down.

People that are saying how expensive it is to buy a new starter.... well, maybe they should look into a 25 buck rebuild kit? Typically they just need brushes and maybe bearings. What costs more, a starter kit and an hour of time or the fuel to run an engine for thousands and thousands of minutes over the decades it takes the starter to die? For me, it's a better deal to minimize fuel costs. Others may have different priorities.