Do you regularly start your diesel tractor as maintenance?

[GManBart]

After reading all the posts here, I still think I'll try to fire the tractor up every 2 weeks during the winter. I usually vary the rpms for 10-15 minutes. It's pretty damp where it's parked and I like to know that the battery is still charged. I'd tender it but I don't have power in that building.

That is almost the absolute worst-case scenario. To take care of the engine, you need to get the oil temperature high enough to boil off any moisture, and keep it there for probably 20min or more. You're barely getting the water up to temp in 10-15min....that can actually cause condensation when you shut down and everything cools off that little bit.

 

[DK35vince]

If mine would set for several months I might start it up and let it run a while.
But starting one up every 2 weeks for short periods of time is doing more harm than good IMO

 

[Billrog]

Another point in cold weather I never start any of my diesel engines unless the block heat has been plugged in for 4 hrs. Cold starts cause premature ware so I prefer to avoid that.

 

[fieldman12]

Mine don't get used much in the cold months. I do start them up every two to three weeks on a warm day. I drive them around for a half hour or so. Hydraulics really don't warm up much unless under a load. Never seen any issues.

 

[the8080]

After reading all the posts here, I still think I'll try to fire the tractor up every 2 weeks during the winter. I usually vary the rpms for 10-15 minutes. It's pretty damp where it's parked and I like to know that the battery is still charged. I'd tender it but I don't have power in that building.

Even after all the good advice. Take the battery out of the tractor and park it.

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]
After reading all the posts here, I still think I'll try to fire the tractor up every 2 weeks during the winter. I usually vary the rpms for 10-15 minutes. It's pretty damp where it's parked and I like to know that the battery is still charged. I'd tender it but I don't have power in that building.

You don't need power in the building to trickle charge your battery. Get one of these for $15: 1.5 Watt Solar Battery Charger

Neighbor keeps his Kubota M6040 charged up with it. Works fine. Hang it outside. Run a DIY extension to the tractor, if necessary.

 

[Mace Canute]

If you don't need your tractor, leave it sit, that doesn't cause any harm at all. Starting it occasionally and running it for even several minutes is absolutely the worst thing you can do to it.

 

[Racer11]

Starting up your engine to let it run till it is warm and shutting it down is the dummest thing a guy can do to his motor. I have a buddy that does his Harley the same way during the winter,,,I finally cured him of that habit when he came over to take our first spring ride. Mine had been sitting since the middle of November and it was around the middle of May. He and I left from my house and I told him that I just checked the oil and the tank was full from when I parked it. I put on my coat straddled the seat and she cranked over for a few rounds and started running,,,the look on his face was priceless.

 

[houstonscott]

Ask your local fire dept. if they start their diesels and run them everyday, ask your local Coast Guard Station if they start their boats and warm and check them everyday, if you want it to run when you need it you'll do start ups and checks. No engine ever wore out from start ups. It's about keeping it reliable when you need it, not crossing your fingers. My guess the guy who is concerned and starts his equipment and does checks will have his equipment much longer then the guy who looks for the key once a year. HS

 

[NoTrespassing]

Common forum conundrum. Someone asks a question, nearly everyone says one way is best, but they still plan to do it their way. Why ask the question in the first place?

I guess you're replying to my last post. I read every post and not everyone agreed. Taking everything into consideration about my particular circumstances, I've decided what is best for my situation.

Thanks for all the input!