3720-winter starting

[wolc123]

Many mistakingly believe that synthetic oil does not increase viscosity in cold conditions like regular oil. "Less thermal breakdown" just means you can go longer between changes and has nothing to do with cold temperature viscosity increase. A block heater is still a good idea in cold climates to reduce start-up engine wear when your synthetic oil will take just as long to reach the moving parts as regular oil of the same weight. Of course changing to a lighter weight oil of either type will improve cold weater performance.

 

[Rob-D]

I disagree. One of the aspects of synthetic is its ability to maintain its viscosity in varying temperatures.

I’ve started cars in 10F and 20F below and I can personally attest to it. Don’t take my word for it put two quarts of 10W-30 oil in your basement food storage freezer for a couple of days and see which pours more easily.

 

[jcmseven]

I have had no problems with my 3720 starting. I keep it inside but have used it recently in unseasonably cool conditions. I did the drive with it today and just put it in about one hour ago. It is currently 18 degrees F at my house and the tractor started like it always does. My opinion is to stick with the stock oil, stock parts and only invest in a block heater if you keep the tractor outside or not in an enclosed area. My garage has a space heater and it rarely gets below 50 degrees even when really cold outside. If I were consistently keeping the tractor outside here I might get one. Interestingly though, my neighbor has a 4320 and prior to that a 4410 (Yanmar). He keeps his tractor outside in a work area behind his house. He lives about 300' higher than I (4100') and has consistently 2-3 degree cooler temps. His newer 4320 sometimes struggles to start when really cold, but his former 4410, which he traded in with well-over 3000 hours on it, never had one problem starting--with no block heater.

John M