Better to idle the tractor or turn it off?

[rrrkkk]

i'd like to see an electric pre-lube oil pump that comes on during glow cycle times for a diesel.. I'd pay extra for that..

Look up accumalator for race cars, they will do what you are wanting

 

[RoyJackson]

i'd like to see an electric pre-lube oil pump that comes on during glow cycle times for a diesel.. I'd pay extra for that..

There are a number of pre-oiler kits available.
Here's one:
AutoEngineLube Pre Lube System Reduces Engine Wear Up To 60%

Use "pre-oiler diesel kits" as a search query for more...

 

[some zilch]

Look up accumalator for race cars, they will do what you are wanting

caterpillar uses them on alot of their larger equipment; quarry equipment, large dozers, etc

 

[horse7]

I almost put in a pre-luber many years ago, but decided that although the pre-luber would get oil to the pressurized galleries sooner, the shafts and bearings would still have settled together-- and many areas would not be helped at all (lifters pumping oil up the pushrods, the little squirters on the crank to wet the cylinder walls, etc.). Since it seemed like the areas causing many rebuilds weren't helped so much (valves, cylinder walls) the claims were too much like marketing hype.

It also wasn't clear if the "deadheaded" oil pressure would not damage any seals or flow out somewhere the oil should not flow out, normally the oil has somewhere to go in a running engine off the pressurized galleries. But I never really investigated this.

So yes, it should help some but I wasn't convinced the cost (back then nearly 1/4 of a rebuilt short block) would ever be justified (wow! 60% wear reduction in places that last twice as long as the places that wear out and cause rebuilds...).

Having said that, there are applications where such devices are helpful, but the typical gas/diesel engine is questionable.

I idle down after working a diesel engine (avoid coking the turbo), and usually idle rather than start stop less its a long stop (tractor idle 1200, truck has idle controller if the idle is long).

 

[Soundguy]

I'd assume the oil pressure relief would still be in the system.

I was aware some industrial and larger engines used them.. would love them as a dealer option on smaller say.. 3/4 and 1 ton vehicles.. etc..

 

[barbqranch]

From reading the above, I can see there is no clear answer to idle or shut down. Also, someone driving a CUT like I have which on many days doesn't really use more than a little power to move stuff around has different engine wear conditions than someone using a large engine that may idle for long periods but then really warms up and works.

 

[Bud Soda]

If it is causing that much confusion I would just sell it an not worry about it any longer.

 

[gregharr55]

I have grown up around mechanics my whole life and have always been told a diesel is meant to be run and not be turned on and off constantly. When i use my tractor for work and am done i will let it run just above idle 20 minutes or so to let fluids dissipate heat then shut down, just what i been taught and works for me and my tractor.

Here is the short answer. I read an article in Progressive Farmer about 5 or more years ago. Several diesel engine builders were queried about this question , here is what Cummins and Cat answered with. Not verbatim but here is the jist.

If the engine is left to idle for more than 5 minutes shut it down:
Reasons given:
A diesel idles at a very very lean mixture which can cause it to actually cool down a good bit especially in cold weather! It causes incomplete combustion and contaminates the lube oil. There were several other reasons that I don't remember. Maybe the new engines don't have such possible issues just passing along what I read. This was the only time I had or have heard an official answer to that issue.
Hope this helps!
Greg

 

[sweettractors]

The starter, bendix, ring gear. battery, switch etc, all have X number of starts in their lifetime before they have to be replaced. Once we start a diesel, we leave it running, figuring all of the above in the "wear" equation. If the machine has no work to do for 30 minutes, we shut it down. Ken Sweet

 

[gregharr55]

The starter, bendix, ring gear. battery, switch etc, all have X number of starts in their lifetime before they have to be replaced. Once we start a diesel, we leave it running, figuring all of the above in the "wear" equation. If the machine has no work to do for 30 minutes, we shut it down. Ken Sweet

Ken has a good point. After pondering this I also remember the statement from either Cat or Cummins, if extended idling is needed, a high idle, such as 1100 or 1200 rpm was recommended! They also recommended high idle during warmup, to get the engine warm, but not run it too fast at startup.
Greg Harrison

 

[PapaPerk]

Here is the short answer. I read an article in Progressive Farmer about 5 or more years ago. Several diesel engine builders were queried about this question , here is what Cummins and Cat answered with. Not verbatim but here is the jist.

If the engine is left to idle for more than 5 minutes shut it down:
Reasons given:
A diesel idles at a very very lean mixture which can cause it to actually cool down a good bit especially in cold weather! It causes incomplete combustion and contaminates the lube oil. There were several other reasons that I don't remember. Maybe the new engines don't have such possible issues just passing along what I read. This was the only time I had or have heard an official answer to that issue.
Hope this helps!
Greg

Hmmm I think "someone" cough cough said the same thing a few pages back.

 

[gregharr55]

Hmmm I think "someone" cough cough said the same thing a few pages back.

Thanks!

 

[Redneck in training]

I am renting Toyota diesel Landcruiser truck and it has button on the dash labeled high idle. When pressed the engine speeds up.

 

[Ron JD670]

This does not address the question about idle time vs shut down, but rather avoids the issue. I have a couple sheets of old 1/2 plywood and some heavy duty drop cloth/tarps I lay down on my drive or lawn to either dump mulch, planting soil, or pile pine needles when cleaning up the yard. This avoids the need to idle very long when loading/unloading material. I also sometime load my trailer if I can move it close enough and don't need/want to unload it in a hurry. Then I can park the tractor and enjoy the birds, wind, and other sounds while I work.
Best of luck
RoN

 

[EE_Bota]

One of my tractors blows its exhaust out the front, so if I am using the FEL but need to unload the material by hand, I turn it off if the battery has recharged sufficiently from the initial start. Otherwise, I unload anyway, but I look kind of like I am unloading something from the rear end of a skunk.

Turning it off allows me to breath easier and work pretty hard so I can get the old heart beating, and I can take the hearing protection muffs off, and that alone always makes me smile a little..getting my head out of that insulated ear vice.