Oil & Fuel Idling your diesel tractor

[LBalliett]

Hey, I was wondering if there is any problem with idling a modern diesel tractor for extended amounts of time. Last year my dad was having problems with his 2004 diesel ford truck. He took it to the shop and they had to replace the EGR due to a carbon build-up. They told him that idling it for a while, even just every once in a while, would cause the build-up. It blew his mind because he grew up with people who would idle their diesels for hours without consequence. He never idled it too much, maybe just ten minutes here and there but he doesn't anymore, that fix was expensive!

I'm just wondering if the same goes for kubotas now. I have a 2009 L4400 and I'll idle it for a while sometimes when I'm loading the bucket with feed bags or something else. Times when it makes more sense just to leave it running. Also, I'd hate to lose the ability to run it for a long time on a low RPM, to use the PTO to run an irrigation pump or something similar.

Thanks!

 

[flyingcow]

I don't think the new tractors have the emissions that the pickups do. Should be alright. I got a lot of dairy framers that have tractors idling for hours. No problems.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Yep that is a problem with the newer trucks, seems ford has had a issue with the 6.0 with this, I have one and use the high idle anytime I need to let it run for more than just a couple of minutes. (It's just a matter of hooking up one wire under the dash to a 12 volt supplied switch) As for the tractor flyingcow is correct on most of the newer tractors not having all the emissions stuff. If you want a little reading look up "Wet stacking" on google or what ever.

 

[ibnxe]

Extended idling has never made much sense to me. I'm sure there are many that will disagree with me on this. I start my BX23 at part throttle, maybe 1500 RPM and drive off within 30 seconds. If I get off the tractor or am stopping for any period of time, I turn it off.
I agree with countrybumkin, in that everyone should read up on the term "wet stacking". This condition is not good for any diesel engine, and can be a direct result of excessive idling.

 

[baryon]

My BX25 manual warns not to operate the tractor before it is sufficiently warmed up. They specify to warm up the engine at 50% of rated RPM for at least five minutes if the ambient temperature is above 32 degrees farrenheit.

 

[DiezNutz]

No, excessive idling is not a good idea for *any* Diesel engine.

Here's another term to Google: "diesel cylinder wash"

And if for no other reason, why burn expensive fuel you don't have to.

Or to think of it another way, is there any advantage gained by excessive idling? Any compelling reason to do it? No, and no.
So if it can't help, and it can possibly hurt, then why do it.

About 5 minutes while warming up or loading the bucket is OK. More than that and I shut mine off.

Just to be clear, by "idling" I'm specifically referring to a stationary tractor doing no work with the throttle in the lowest position. Any other condition may not be considered idling.

 

[Duffster]

Idling is inevitable with chore tractors. Tractor may run several hours to all day with only small amounts of use. These tractors will be destroyed faster by shutting them off then by letting it ldle.

If the tractor needs to run then no you really won't hurt it.

 

[lilranch2001]

just what we need, andother dilema

:confused2:

 

[DiezNutz]

These tractors will be destroyed faster by shutting them off then by letting it ldle.

If the tractor needs to run then no you really won't hurt it.

Care to elaborate or offer any basis for those bold opinions?

 

[DiezNutz]

just what we need, andother dilema

:confused2:

I know. Situations like this, I try not to tell people what to do with their equipment but encourage them to get the facts and think/decide for themselves.