Forgot to turn tractor off!

johnday · Apr 29, 2004

True. But look at the capacity of their crankcase. It's in gallons not quarts like ours. That helps dilute the bad things in the oil. No slap to anyone, but, everyone tries to emulate "the guys that know". I suspect they are like everyone else and just follow the other "guy that should know". It's like a truckstop, if you will. I remember that I was told that one of the reasons truckstops were always busy was because the drivers always knew where the best food was! No, it's usually because that is the only place they park the truck! A lot the stops have terrible food. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

cowboydoc · Apr 29, 2004

I agree with you 100% johnday. I was going to write the same thing that you did.

mundamanu · Apr 29, 2004

"I agree with you 100% johnday. I was going to write the same thing that you did. " 

Cowboydoc, now you must be some sort of mind reader or something, 'cause I don't know any way in the world that two people could simultaneously go from diesels idling for extended periods of time to bad food at truck stops. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Just kidding; I know you meant johnday's other post.

I don't have any practical experience with this because I am new to tractoring and diesels and trucks and stuff, but I have been reading quite a bit in an effort to come up to speed, and what I have read is exactly as johnday said and cowboydoc seconded. The other thing I've read is that in addition to sitting at rest above idle speed, diesel RPMs should not be kept constant, they should be adjusted up or down every now and then. Why this is the case and what it prevents, I don't know, especially considering that as I understand it, ag tractors are run for hours and hours at constant RPMs. I guess maybe it has to do with their being under a load. Any clarification/explanation of the second part would be greatly appreciated.

johnday · Apr 29, 2004

I thought I was opening myself up to all kinds of abuse.
Amen Bro! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Brian_Stephens · Apr 29, 2004

( I thought I was opening myself up to all kinds of abuse.
Amen Bro! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )

<<SLAP>> feel better now /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

chucko · Apr 29, 2004

It's a tractor it's fine. Shoot if could have just as well been sitting running a PTO pump or gen set for that long. As long as it did not ever heat I see no problem
Running all night is no differnt than running it all day working the thing

Bellville · Apr 29, 2004

I thought I remembered reading an extensive post on this topic, (shut off the tractor or let it idle) before and did a search. Here is a link to that discussion,

Shut Down or Leave It Running

GerardC · Apr 29, 2004

( ....You hit it on the nose saying that you left it at low idle to cool, that is exactly what it does.....)

"?". How long are you supposed to leave it at "low" idle before you shut it down /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif ??

dltimmons · Apr 29, 2004

johnday,

I have a Ford deisel pickup, and have spent almost as much time reading posts on a forum similar to this one, related to these trucks.

This same subject was discussed, at length on this truck forum a couple of months ago. The majority opinion was that extended idle periods on any deisel engine, will result in what they called "fuel stacking". As I understand it, this is a result of incomplete combustion of deisel fuel in the engine cylinders, because the engine/exhaust temperature is not hot enough to cause complete combustion.
Results of excessive low idle included, washing the cylinder walls with raw fuel, causing premature cylinder/ring wear, excessive carbon deposits on pistons, heads, and valves, etc.
Not a good thing over the long run.
Recommendations were to set the idle up to 1,100 to 1,300 RPM if idling for extended periods to keep operating temperatures in the acceptable range. Also, majority recommended a 5 to 7 minute cool down period before shutting down after hard use, to allow the turbo and its' bearings etc. to cool down first.
If anyone is interested the forum I'm refering to is http://www.thedieselstop.com/

This is a great place for information on the Ford deisel pickups.
Almost as much fun as this forum.

See ya,

DT

AndyMA · Apr 29, 2004

( Recommendations were to set the idle up to 1,100 to 1,300 RPM if idling for extended periods to keep operating temperatures in the acceptable range. Also, majority recommended a 5 to 7 minute cool down period before shutting down after hard use, to allow the turbo and its' bearings etc. to cool down first.
If anyone is interested the forum I'm refering to is http://www.thedieselstop.com/
)

My NH TN75D 75hp turbo manual says to let it idle at min throttle for 1 minute prior to shut down to allow the turbo time to get plenty of lubrication.

Andy