Any concern about a "dry start" after a tractor sits unused for a while?

[4570Man]

Has anyone here ever worn out an engine that wasn't using it full time? In my experience the equipment is usually junk before the engine gives up.

 

[4570Man]

If it was 45 to 50 degrees on a nice day, how long would you let it run? How about an hour?

It doesn't take nearly that long for my tractor. Running at 1500 rpm it'll get to temp in a 10-15 minutes. All of my diesels will do it in similar time. My air cooled engines don't have a gauge to measure temperature. If it was colder and they were running at high idle I'd guess it would take quite a while to get to operating temperature. I don't start anything unless I need to use it.

 

[TerryR]

Re: Any concern about a "dry start" after a tractor sits unused for a while?

For me, sitting a month or more is normal. I just start it up and use it when I have occasion to. Between times I can't see worrying about it. It will no doubt last longer than I will no matter what I do.

 

[sixdogs]

Re: Any concern about a "dry start" after a tractor sits unused for a while?

It doesn't take nearly that long for my tractor. Running at 1500 rpm it'll get to temp in a 10-15 minutes. All of my diesels will do it in similar time. My air cooled engines don't have a gauge to measure temperature. If it was colder and they were running at high idle I'd guess it would take quite a while to get to operating temperature. I don't start anything unless I need to use it.

The temp gauge may come up a little but my 90hp Deere takes at least an hour to get warm at maybe 30 degrees . Even that doesn't have the trans fluid warm by then. I don't think the 70hp Kubota is much different and again, I don't think the trans fluid is warm enough by then to avoid condensation issues.

 

[sixdogs]

Re: Any concern about a "dry start" after a tractor sits unused for a while?

After reading the title I Was expecting this to be about tractors sitting for many years. A month, LOL.

That's what I thought, but my friend is very educated in engines, especially gas and is convinced start ups are where most of engine wear occurs and I agree with that. He won't start a gas engine after a month without fogging and starts all (LOTS) his farm tractors every month and lets them run till warm. It doesn't sound logical but I can't win an argument with him. There are a lot of engineer types on this board that actually know and understand this topic and can offer commentary. Never too old to learn.

 

[LD48750]

Re: Any concern about a "dry start" after a tractor sits unused for a while?

That's what I thought, but my friend is very educated in engines, especially gas and is convinced start ups are where most of engine wear occurs and I agree with that. He won't start a gas engine after a month without fogging and starts all (LOTS) his farm tractors every month and lets them run till warm. It doesn't sound logical but I can't win an argument with him. There are a lot of engineer types on this board that actually know and understand this topic and can offer commentary. Never too old to learn.

Does he change the air in the tires too?

That old air can get stale and rot out the tires from the inside out.
Some people blame the cracks in tires on the sun but it is because they didn't change the air in them.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Re: Any concern about a "dry start" after a tractor sits unused for a while?

That's what I thought, but my friend is very educated in engines, especially gas and is convinced start ups are where most of engine wear occurs and I agree with that. He won't start a gas engine after a month without fogging and starts all (LOTS) his farm tractors every month and lets them run till warm. It doesn't sound logical but I can't win an argument with him. There are a lot of engineer types on this board that actually know and understand this topic and can offer commentary. Never too old to learn.

If start up is where all the wear occurs, wouldn't the worst thing you can do be to start the engine unnecessarily?

I guess the question is whether enough more oil drains out of the engine after a month of sitting compared to a day or an hour to be meaningful.

That said, my engine has a compression release lever. When starting I spin it with the compression released until the oil light goes off, then I apply compression and fuel. I do that whether the engine has been sitting for a day or a year. If it's still warm I just turn the key. On a diesel you could accomplish almost the same thing by spinning the engine with the fuel cut off until you have oil pressure.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Re: Any concern about a "dry start" after a tractor sits unused for a while?

Do what makes you feel good. I personally don't do anything to any of my engines after sitting thru the winter (or longer). I have never had an engine fail, the body and other parts go first.
I agree with others here that starting an engine is where 99% of wear occurs and unnecessary starts contribute to wear more than the normal work does.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Do what makes you feel good. I personally don't do anything to any of my engines after sitting thru the winter (or longer). I have never had an engine fail, the body and other parts go first. I agree with others here that starting an engine is where 99% of wear occurs and unnecessary starts contribute to wear more than the normal work does.

Pretty much what i do also. On my race cars if it has set a while, I'll crank the engine with the ignition off till the oil pressure gauge moves, mainly because it can be done that way. But really a mute point since you have to freshen the engine so often anyway.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Re: Any concern about a "dry start" after a tractor sits unused for a while?

I see no point in torturing a cold diesel. Let it sleep! Charge the battery every month or so.

I tried putting a pre-lube oil pump on my Kubota Genset, but the pump never developed enough pressure and I just gave up on this project.