Extreme Cold Weather Operation

[rock2610D]

Well, my 2610D has been working out great! The turbo I added is a great addition to the tractor. Here at 8000 feet of elevation while using my 5.5 foot Lorenze snowblower everything is flawless!!

Tractor starts with out ANY assistance at temps down to 10 degrees F. I do however use the Thermostart to keep cranking down to 10 seconds or so. Oil light goes off after about 8 seconds so I do not use decompression. I have found that cranking for about 5 seconds with fuel OFF will allow cylinders to heat a little and then I pour on fuel and bang it pops off!!!

Main concern is that my 2610D does not have a thermostat or a temp guage. After about 45 minutes of operation using snowblower, with a 10inch X 10 inch piece of cardboard in front of radiator motor is somewhat not hot. I can put my hand on the motor and by feel I would say around 150 or so degrees. This is during 10 to 20 degree weather. I would use bigger card board but am affraid of the temp light coming on.

Guess I will have to add a temp guage to my tractor along with turbo boost guage. What is the best way to regulate temp on these tractors??? What is the optimum temp to run them??

 

[Box]

Rock,

Not sure about Yanmars our this vintage, but in general the larger diesels like to see some source of outside heat while parked. Do you have a block heater or oil heater installed on your tractor? I skimmed some owners manuals that I have for Cummins diesels and most say that below 15F you need to use a heater of some type to warm the oil enough to allow good flow at start up. Failure to do that can cause lack of lubrication at the rod, cam and main bearings.

Just some FYI on what the big engines require.

Box

 

[rock2610D]

I do have a heater on radiator hose. Oil is synthetic and I keep a quart bottle of it on tractor. I always look at it prior to starting tractor to see how viscous it is. I even check the quart bottle when its REALLY cold < zero and it always has a low viscosity. IE flows easily haven't used the tractor in those temp yet but probably will some day.

Still wish I had a thermostat!!!

 

[FleetMan]

Do you have an infra-red/laser thermometer? Point and shoot to take temps and adjust your cardboard covering over the radiator accordingly. 190 to 195 degrees operating temperature is ideal for a diesel.

 

[rock2610D]

Infra Red therm is a pretty good idea. Have a couple at work I could barrow but will probably have to purchase one of my own. That way I could check during all kinds of temps and conditions.


Thanks I like this idea!!