how long should I warm up my tractor in the winter?

tmain · Feb 22, 2013

I live in Northern NY, I usually let mine warm up for 3 - 10 minutes depending on how cold it is. I keep it in a shed with no heat as well and have never had a problem with it not starting, even at 0 degrees ( no block heater). I agree with the other post on waiting for a little temp. gauge deflection.

Gary Fowler · Feb 22, 2013

I start mine, at idle, when the oil lights go out, increase throttle to1200-1300 RPM while I check that all the hydraulics are up, then lift the FEL, put it in gear and idle out of the shed. IF it is really cold the transmission /hydraulic low temperature warning light will come on. I let it idle around till that goes off, then it is ready to work. HST models might require longer in cold temps but my B26 seems to work ok in 20F by just cranking it up, letting it idle for a minute or so and hitting the HST pedal while idling at 1200 which is as low as it will idle. I keep the RPM down to less than 1800 till the engine temps get up to operation temperature then use it gently till the oils all get warm. I rarely run it more than 2000 rpm but the PTO speed is 2600 and that is wide open throttle to get to that speed. 2000 RPM seems to be a sweet spot in the operation where it has plenty of power but the engine isn't screaming. I usually don't let engines idle for long periods of time just to warm up. I warm them up while travelling to the work or just use them gently at low RPM (half throttle) till they warm up which doesn't take long, maybe 3-5 minutes which is about the closest any of my work is anyway. If you are going to drive it out of a shed and immediately start blowing snow or something, it might be a good idea to let it idle at 1500 minimum RPM for at least 5 minutes. Any longer than that is just wasting diesel.