How Long is Sitting Without Running OK?

[Bradlyk]

I think once per week is more often than necessary. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what the minimum is. My JD755 was bought new back in 1991 or so. It frequently sits for 3 weeks at a time. Last winter, I think it sat easily for 2-3 months in an unheated Shelter Logic shelter. It started up just fine in early March without so much as a battery tender on it. (I did give it 5-10 minutes of fluid circulating before gently starting it moving out of the shelter) I've never had any issues related to it just sitting.

I think the key is to make sure it is thoroughly warmed whenever it is started, to avoid condensation caused by "partial warming."

...Just my opinion, of course.

I have a DEUTZ D10006 2wd that sits over winter in a sheltered but unheated shed and it goes fine in spring

 

[buck12]

I have a mid '90's b series (gear) Kubota...

This tractor came with a small block of wood to use on the clutch pedal bar to keep the pedal depressed and the clutch disengaged whenever the tractor is to be stored for more than a few weeks...

Thanks for the reminder. I forgot to engage the clutch clip on my tractor when I parked it four weeks ago. It will likely set for six to eight more weeks. This is why I read tbn.

 

[RalphVa]

Good tip on the clutch. Our 1983 Benz was stored for 4 1/2 years from 1990 to 1994. There were 2 things dead on it: battery & seals on AC compressor, but the clutch took several strokes to get it to work. The clutch master cylinder needed reworking later on, as it started to leak a tiny bit underneath the floor mat on that car.

Our gas engine generator sits for 2-3 months between restarts. Main thing it needs is a battery tender to keep the battery up.

Ralph

 

[9973720wb19]

let's see now...that's one tractor, a Zmower, one bigger mower, the walkbehind, a walkbehind brush mower, an ATV, etc...good think I don't have to start them each week...I'd have to quit my job!

I know...the engineers are saying "you should start them all at once, therefore it only takes an hour"...sounds good on paper!

 

[D7E]

and when you have 30 odd machines in sheds with no power for 6 months in -30c it is'nt going to happen realistically .

 

[varmint]

If you warm up a diesel, just don't let it idle at low speed... I forget what they call the condition of operating at a low load, but it causes trouble with carbon build-up and oil contamination (or so I have read) so get the tractor moving and thoroughly warmed up. I always run the gas out of stuff that will sit for a week or more, and put engines to rest with fresh oil and hot enough that there won't be moisture mixed in there.

 

[JimRB]

My old Rabbit had a water temp guage and an oil temp guage. I could get the water temp to operating temp in 3-4 miles in the winter. The oil temp took at least 5 miles to move and a few more miles to get up to operating temp. This was driving 45-70 mph. My current Jetta TDI does not get the water temp guage to normal in 7 miles in 20F weather. I do not have an oil temp guage so I have no idea when the oil gets up to proper temp. On the car I have no worries as I tend to drive it 40+ miles one way.

No idea how long it takes for my JD 870 to get the oil hot. It has sat for a few months. I guess I could put on the scrape blade and smooth out the road to make sure my clutch does not get stuck, or to unstick it. I need to crack the tractor sometime to grease up those input shafts. No shed is not the best way to keep a tractor new.

 

[JoeinTX]

Yep. My little Ford sits often 2-3 months a time especially in the winter and apart from sometimes needing to jump start it it shows no ill effect.

The old Moline would often sit for a year or two between uses and the routine was pretty much the same with it.

 

[dcyrilc]

What about my Riding mower? It has a gas engine, how often should i start it? Last winter i let it sit and it drained my battery of charge. Also, will my carb gum up if it is left with fuel in it for long periods of time? i have the option of keeping it in the heated shed for the winter, should i or just leave it in the unheated barn? The tractor lives in the barn but i use it often so i dont have worries about it.

The key is to make sure the carb is dry (no fuel). As you know, I just fixed that generator which had sat for 10+ years out in the weather. I changed the battery, replaced the oil, plugs, and fuel, turned on the fuel valve and fired it up. No ill effects from sitting. It was the generator section which had issues when it was shut down. After 10+ years the gas tank had rusted above the fuel level, but no issues with the engine. Still runs like new. I think it only has about 40 hours on it.

The small lawn mower type batteries have issues with draining just sitting on the shelf. I would recommend a good tender if sitting for more than a few weeks at a time.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I have a husqvarna mower, bought new this spring, that won't start at all. Only been ran 8 - 10 times all summer, now won't start. The battery has now drained, so I have tried to start with it on jumper cables.
My Diesels will blow some white smoke if not started in awhile, but they start right up.