Cold Weather Warm Up JD4100 ??

[Anonymous Poster]

In cold weather 0-20 degrees, how long once starting my jd4100 should I let it sit and warm up? It is in shed so I usually have to back it outside immediately after starting so I don't die of smoke.

 

[markcg2000]

I have the exact same situation with my 790. Basically, I wait untill the exhaust is clear. When its cold, the efficiency is lower, so the exhaust is "smokey". Duration of course varies with this method.

One thing you might try is a block heater on a timer. Set the timer to warm the engine for an hour before you normally go out there. I do that, which means I'm warming the engine on days I don't need it, but that certainly doesn't hurt.

Somebody here mentioned some sort of thermostat-controlled outlet; plug the timer into the wall, the thermo-outlet into the timer, the block heater into the thermo-outlet. That means that the engine is only warmed when you want it and the temperature warrants it. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

<font color=green>mark</font color=green>

 

[bpence]

I don't have a JD, but with the Kubota B7100 hydrostatic I usually back it out of the barn and let it run for 10 + minutes at slightly less than half throttle. Also, I put the range selector in neutral. A mechanic once told me that allows the hydro pump to better circulate and warm the fluid prior to use. Can't say that it does or doesn't, and it doesn't cost anything to do it that way, so I do. Some folks let theirs warm-up 15 to 20 minutes....most wrench guys I've talked to say 5-10 minutes before putting the tractor to work.

Bob Pence

 

[Thomas]

carl,
Good 10 mins also I raise my FEL and roll the bucket couple times to help push the hyraulic fluid around.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[TomG]

Almost all compacts use open centre hydraulic systems. When no hydraulics operated, the pump still pumps its rated flow from, and back to, to the reservoir. An open centre system works the same in gear or in neutral.

Hydro transmissions use the same oil as the hydraulic system. I think Hydro range selectors have a neutral that should be left in neutral when the tractor is warming up for safety reasons. I don't know if the HST pump pumps oil when the range is in neutral or not. However, they don't flow oil when in gear and 0 HST pedal. And wouldn’t help warming the oil.

A good reason for operating the loader and 3ph is to get the very cold oil out of the hydraulic cylinders and lines. I use a magnetic heater on the oil reservoir, so the oil starts out slightly warm.

I leave my tractor on block, transmission and battery heaters for a couple of hours if the temperature is near 0F or lower. I warm it for 5 - 10 minutes @ 1500 rpm, or until it stops puffing gray smoke. I also let it cool down @ 800 rpm until it starts puffing again.

 

[DFB]

On the Deere you have to have the the range selector in neutral if you intend the leave the seat. otherwise the safety interlocks wiil kill the ignition. Recommended procedure is to use the parking brake when in neutral as the tractor is in a freewheel mode and can roll (don't think it can't happen either) though its is difficult IF the attachments are still on the ground. I let my 4100 warm for about 10 min when it's well below 20 degrees. The HST sounds a lot better after that extended warmup. The operators manual recommends a 5 min. warmup at 1/2 throttle in cold weather to allow the engine & hydraulic oils to warm up, and to avoid idling the engine for long periods as it causes carbon buildup and wastes fuel. Deere manual also recommends the optional block and transmission heaters for temps below -0 degrees. I find both the operators manual and technical manual to be an invaluable source of information for specifics on a given model. They are a good compliment to the information put forth on this board. I've heard a story of one person being delivered a new tractor and no operators manual. They "forgot to bring it", and another story where the manual was left in its shipping place behind the grill and in front of the radiator until the new owner finally opened the hood and discovered it./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif