Average runtime?

Sysop · May 22, 2015

I was reading in another thread and it was mentioned by a user that most times when they start their tractor, it is for 30 minutes or less... I personally found that rather astonishing as I am the type if I have a task that will only take 30 minutes or less, if possible, I'll put off until I have the tractor out working for the day.

I consider 30 minutes to be a minimum warm-up/maintenance cycle on a cold winter day when it's not being ran often to keep the battery charged, or as a high-average for a warm-up cycle while getting it ready to work any other time... Even on a hot day it takes 15 minutes for the temp gauge to come up to where it stays all the time. Most times once I start my tractor it runs for about 4 hours at a time as an average. I have ran it as much as 9 hours in a single day while trenching with the backhoe. When I shut down, I generally only do 5 minutes of idle for a cool-down (my temp gauge stays very steady at dead center unless the vents become clogged and there is really no difference in high load or idle temps).

So, "what say you"? How long is your average runtime when you start it up? Do you just fire it up for every little chore as it comes up? Or do you have "project days" where things go on a to-do list and you do a lot at once?

bdog · May 22, 2015

I bought my machines to use. Obviously running them up to operating temp is a lot better on the engine as it allows for moisture to be burned off but I don't hesitate starting them for any task I need no matter how small it is. I run a small business and often need my tractor or skid steer to unload pallets, move a trailer, load or unload something heavy, etc which are very short tasks but need to be done. I also often have to simply move machines around to get them out of the way. I figure as long as they get up to operating temp on a regular basis the short run times in between are not hurting much at least I have never had any problems.

I do know an elderly man that works in a office less than a mile from his house. Due to his health he can't walk there so he drives there and back every day. That is all he uses his car for as they take his wife's car anytime they do something else. Basically his car runs about 2 minutes every morning and 2 minutes every evening and that is it. He has a had a fair amount of problems with the car because of this because it never gets to operating temp.

bdog · May 22, 2015

I bought my machines to use. Obviously running them up to operating temp is a lot better on the engine as it allows for moisture to be burned off but I don't hesitate starting them for any task I need no matter how small it is. I run a small business and often need my tractor or skid steer to unload pallets, move a trailer, load or unload something heavy, etc which are very short tasks but need to be done. I also often have to simply move machines around to get them out of the way. I figure as long as they get up to operating temp on a regular basis the short run times in between are not hurting much at least I have never had any problems.

I do know an elderly man that works in a office less than a mile from his house. Due to his health he can't walk there so he drives there and back every day. That is all he uses his car for as they take his wife's car anytime they do something else. Basically his car runs about 2 minutes every morning and 2 minutes every evening and that is it. He has a had a fair amount of problems with the car because of this because it never gets to operating temp.

TomSeller · May 22, 2015

I would say on average 2 to 3 hours for utility tractors. I try not to start an engine just to do one or two things. For crop tractors, a good 8 hour average, up to 16 hours at a time.

PHPaul · May 22, 2015

What bdog said. If I need to use it as a four wheel drive powered wheelbarrow for 5 minutes, then that's what I do.

Is it the best possible circumstance for longevity and optimal wear? No.

Is it going to cause the tractor to wear out before I croak? I seriously doubt it.

At my age, I'm more inclined to "abuse" my equipment than my back, knees and shoulders.

Seeing as it's a new toy, I do tend to find more than one thing to do when I fire it up tho.

paine · May 22, 2015

I think your over thinking it, If you need the tractor then use it. Yes I will make sure it gets up to operating temp when ever possible but I don't think your going to do any damage by using a tractor for 10 min and shutting it down. Not to mention that my DX33 seems to warm up rather quick unless its super cold out. If you use it strictly 5-10 min at a time then yes I think you will shorten the engine life but as long as that's you warm her up more often then not, no worries.

oldpilgrim · May 22, 2015

PHPaul said:
What bdog said. If I need to use it as a four wheel drive powered wheelbarrow for 5 minutes, then that's what I do.

Is it the best possible circumstance for longevity and optimal wear? No.

Is it going to cause the tractor to wear out before I croak? I seriously doubt it.

At my age, I'm more inclined to "abuse" my equipment than my back, knees and shoulders.

Seeing as it's a new toy, I do tend to find more than one thing to do when I fire it up tho.

my words out of your mouth.

KiotiKowboy · May 22, 2015

I find that I now sometimes postpone a small chore, instead of cranking up the tractor for 10 or 15 minutes. I'll use it if I must - but, my goal is to plan on at least an hour.

davesl708 · May 22, 2015

I run mine on average one hour per startup. Mowing takes at least one hour. Moving snow the same. Clearing scrub brush and moving wood three hours.

CobyRupert · May 22, 2015

Here's a question: Do diesels have a bit of blow-by like gas engines, where fuel can accumulate in the oil until it evaporates and get's reclaimed/re-introduced by the evap system?
My son's car runs for just a couple minutes a day, but I tell him to make sure that every few days, plan a trip where it (oil & catalytic converter, etc...) gets up to temp so that "accumulations" can get burnt off.
Do diesels have the same issues?
Carbon build-up on in the top end?
Fuel/ moisture in the oil?
I use my tractor when and as needed, sometimes for 5 minutes..but I feel better if it gets up to temp after a few short cycles to evaporate moisture (and fuel?) out of the oil, etc... How real are my concerns? Don't know.