Okay to Operate Tractor Just Long Enough to Move Outside When Cold?

[teg]

I would not worry about driving it around... just don't stress it cold. I usually leave it in LOW which, I think, is easier on the system.

 

[dstig1]

Like others have noted, you are probably overthinking this. In my case, it does start out in my heated shop, so it is at 60F+ If I am getting it out now, it is almost certain to be for plowing snow. I let the idle clear up for a bit (20 sec or so) then lift loader & rear blade, pull it out, stop, get out and adjust the rear blade (swung out and angled) and them back in and start plowing. My first pass is straight downhill from there, so i keep the revs in the 1900-2k range for that, but then need more power once I start coming back up, so typically full throttle or close. It warms up nicely with the down pass. Plenty enough to not worry about it.

When I have had it sitting out in the cold it takes longer for the idle to stabilize, so i will let it warm up a little, but I sure wouldn't worry about moving it outside once the idle stabilizes and stops smoking.

 

[motownbrowne]

I start mine up, let it idle for ten seconds or so, bump the throttle to 1400 RPM or so, then move it without lugging the engine if I need to move it. I wouldn't worry AT ALL about doing what you described in the OP.

 

[PILOON]

My take has been that with all the gearing in a tractor moving it in low low is about same as idle which is no strain.
It is high revs and hard work that would damage things.
Cold shrinks metals making tolerances tighter as well as more brittle.

I cycle the the FEL couple of times, shift into low and idle drive slowly to the work project site.
Usually engage the blower as well.
Since my block heater was plugged in I also feel worm air as I'm driving away.

 

[oosik]

I do the same as many have posted. Start, idle for a minute or so, pull out of the carport, go back and offset & angle the rear blade and then drive down to where I will start blading the snow off the driveway. Its been this way for 34 years and never damaged anything.

My Op Manual says - Do not operate the tractor under full load conditions until it is sufficient warmed up. Unless its VERY cold - my tractor is up to full operating temps by the time I drop the rear blade and start plowing snow. If it VERY cold, one of two things will happen - I won't be going outside anyhow or I will go back in the house, after starting the tractor, and have a second cup of coffee.

 

[sixdogs]

Creeping out is no concern. They mean the act of putting a load on the tractor and heavier duty work.

 

[JWR]

So did I when I had a B2710.

Yeah, there is no reason to worry about the operation you describe in the first post of the thread. The closest I have come to such a concern was 2 years ago. I jumped on my BX2200 when it was about 18 degrees sitting in an unheated garage. Started the engine and with only a few seconds of running jerked the bucket up ward and turned the steering wheel quickly. Wanting to get out and move snow in a big hurry. The steering cylinder was leaking quite a bit after that episode & I blamed it on the hurry-up without letting the hydraulic fluid warm up some and ease into things. Two dealers have said NO, that did not cause the issue PLUS I have found a large number of the BX series have had to replace seals in the steering cylinders. That is the closest I have ever come to even wondering about it.

 

[dragoneggs]

Like others have noted, you are probably overthinking this. In my case, it does start out in my heated shop, so it is at 60F+

Go away Dave... I for one, don't want to hear about 60F+ heated shops right now. :laughing:

 

[motownbrowne]

Go away Dave... I for one, don't want to hear about 60F+ heated shops right now. :laughing:

I'll second that motion. Our high today was 3F. Currently -5. I did cut some wood this morning, but had the tractor block heater on a timer set to come on at 5:00, I also had a nice fire near where I was cutting. Oh yeah, and my new (to me) MS 440 has heated handles, so that helps.

 

[dchemphill1]

Confused tractor operator...L3901 HST with the new tierIV systems tell you to not idle the tractor too much....causes even more soot build up requiring more regen burns....so what do you do in cold weather....idle it for 10-15 minutes and add to the soot build up or idle a couple minutes and get to work??