How long between starts?

[AndyMA]

While I agree with most of what you say many new cars will have a dead battery in 8-10 days if not started. Corvettes and Caddy's are a perfect example. Trickle chargers are a must.

Chris

Park mine uncoverd on side of field. Go back and start in late spring, Trickle charger, can't possible use that with no electricity. Treat fuel no. Batteries last average of 10 years. Baby it and it will always want to be babied.

Andy

 

[jlrsn]

Why?
Seems it would be a little hard on the throwout bearing to leave it running with the pedal "blocked down"
Push it down for starting and let it up as soon as the engine runs smooth imo.
Ken

You only leave the clutch pedal blocked or clipped down when the tractor is inop, not when it is running. Quite a few tractors including my Kubota L39 have a means to keep the pedal partially depressed so that the clutch disc does not stick to the flywheel due to rust buildup. My L39 has a clip that is designed to prevent the sticking clutch disc and it is explained in the operators manual. This problem occurs in very humid climates.
Jim

 

[WH401]

Just let it sit until you need it again. The only thing I would bother with would be a battery tender. I sometimes let my tractor sit for a month or more, and it starts right up. Same thing with my gator, although it might go a couple of months without being started, but it starts right up too.

 

[RoyJackson]

He has a 790 which is known to have a problem with sticking clutches. Not necessarily needed or desired for most tractors.

Actually, the 790 isn't known for any particular clutch problems. Sticking clutches can happen to any vehicle with a clutch if left setting for an extended time. This includes truck, cars and tractors with gear transmissions. I block the clutch on the 790 (during the winter) since it may not be used for a couple months or more.
I should have been clearer on my first post.

 

[RalphVa]

Best way to keep a battery up is with a battery tender. I went through this on a generator, e.g. starting it once/month, putting a charger on it part time, etc. Only thing that has worked is a battery tender.

For the rest, it can sit 9 months and will start as soon as you get ready to start it if the battery is okay. I once did this with our 1973 Benz diesel. I just took the battery out and carried it to the basement where I put a charger one it rigged through 2 timers in series, both set to only run 1.5-2 hours. When we returned from Singapore after 9 months, I put the battery in, glowed it, and turned to start. It started on the usual about 1/2 turn of the crankshaft like all our good diesels have done. (Our 4th one now is a VW Jetta TDI, A GREAT CAR!)

The 1983 Benz stored 4 1/2 years didn't start so readily, as the diesel had turned brown. Of course, the battery was stone dead along with the AC compressor seals. The hydraulic clutch didn't want to work on the first 2 or 3 strokes either. (Several things had to be repaired or replaced over about a years' time from that storage; we recently sold it in near mint condition)

So, somewhere between 9 months and 4 1/2 years, you need to occasionally start them.

Ralph

 

[Diamondpilot]

Park mine uncoverd on side of field. Go back and start in late spring, Trickle charger, can't possible use that with no electricity. Treat fuel no. Batteries last average of 10 years. Baby it and it will always want to be babied.

Andy

Buy a lottery ticket. You have to be one of the luckiest SOB's I have seen!

Chris

 

[JDGreenGrass]

It seems that maintaining the battery is more important than starting the tractor occasionally. Question....

I have a battery charger. If I switch the charger to automatic does this work as a tender (or maintainer).?? Or, is it better to buy a battery maintainer.??

 

[JerryK]

Your 'automatic setting' could be a maintainer, you'd have to check the operating manual. If in doubt, buy a maintainer... I have two, one sits permantly on my Dodge Cummins all winter and my Blazer all summer. The other one, I swap around all winter on my summer equipment. Keeps the batteries from sulfidacating....if that is a word...cheap insurance. Started doing it years ago on a Harley battery in the winter..keeps from having to buy a new battery every few years.

 

[20 20]

park it out front and set flowers and such in and around it. During the holidays put lights on it. This way it will still know you care.

 

[SPYDERLK]

While I agree with most of what you say many new cars will have a dead battery in 8-10 days if not started. Corvettes and Caddy's are a perfect example. Trickle chargers are a must.

Chris

!!??? Dont park in airport long term parking.
larry