Is frequent short term use harmful?

[CutTheHolesOut]

good morning all. I’ve found myself using my tractor pretty often but only for very short periods of time. It got me thinking that maybe it could be causing some sort of harm but I don’t really know. I’m basically using it to turn a compost pile. Lazy or not, my back isn’t what it used to be. Is there any downside to starting it up, using the loader for three or four scoops and shutting it back down besides the battery might need to be charged more often? I mean it’s maybe a total of 3 minutes of use. It’s a bolens g274 if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance

 

[duffer]

Don't know for sure, but I would say "yes" it does cause some harm, as moisture in the engine when first started hasn't had any time to evaporate during use, especially over a long period of time.

If yours is a diesel, you should let it warm up for at least a couple of minutes to let the fluids circulate and warm up a little, as well as the hydraulics.

I would suggest a long duration use (20-30 min) once in a while to mitigate any condensation in the engine.

My 2¢.

 

[dj1701]

I don't know one way or the other. I'm sure you will get opinions either way. If we stop using a tractor to make our life easier, we are defeating the purpose of having one to begin with.

Dave

 

[Agvg]

good morning all. I’ve found myself using my tractor pretty often but only for very short periods of time. It got me thinking that maybe it could be causing some sort of harm but I don’t really know. I’m basically using it to turn a compost pile. Lazy or not, my back isn’t what it used to be. Is there any downside to starting it up, using the loader for three or four scoops and shutting it back down besides the battery might need to be charged more often? I mean it’s maybe a total of 3 minutes of use. It’s a bolens g274 if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance

Do you only use it for this purpose or do you use it for more heavy and longer use?

 

[RjCorazza]

"Short Trips" are generally harder on any vehicle, and I would avoid not getting the tractor up to temp and working on a regular basis. I save up a few jobs for the times I wouldn't be running my tractor for very long.

 

[moriboy]

I would use it as you see fit. Letting it sit and not using your tractor is likely harder on it.

 

[big bubba]

agree w/above statements. in addition, with repeated short cold start use, i certainly would be changing the engine oil far more frequently than manu recommendation due to moisture build up, etc in the crankcase

diesels, once warmed up, are meant to work steady, & repeatedly putzing around w/cold starts doesn't do one any favors, regards

in general, i'd let the engine warm up 5 min (longer in cold weather) & work it at least 20-30 min

 

[BleedingOrange]

If you have a temperature gauge, make sure it gets up to normal running temperature, before working it and shutting it off. To accomplish that, it wouldn,t hurt to give it a run up and down your driveway, before putting it to work.

 

[oosik]

No matter what kind of job/project I have. I always run it long enough to have it up to temperature for at least a half hour. Like has been said - it will eliminate any water that might be in any of the different oils.

 

[Notforhire]

Given the choice of beating up my body or reducing the life of my tractor....

Compare costs of repair to you or the tractor.
Have you priced a good funeral lately?

 

[John0829]

It got me thinking that maybe it could be causing some sort of harm

You are slowly killing your tractor, if that is the only thing you are using it for. although hard work is the best thing at the very least take a tour of your property or neighborhood anything to get the engine up to operating temp and keep it there for a while (30 minutes). Short runs cause condensation inside the engine which in turn creates acids that destroys the interior of the engine even with the synthetic oils, it needs to run long enough, hard enough and get hot enough to evaporate the moisture, to dry itself out so to speak. Also with short runs you are probably not keeping the fuel tank topped off so moisture can attack from there as well depending on how and where you store the tractor.

 

[DarkBlack]

I disagree with most on this subject.
Short runs do not cause condensation in your engine. Condensation is caused by your choice of storage, local weather, humidity, and rapid temperature changes while your machine is not being used.
If your tractor sits outside, and get cold to warm humidity changes, your cold engine will develop condensation. This will happen whether or not you run the tractor short/long periods. This will happen whether or not you have old oil or new. The condensation cycle can repeat daily.
Long engine runs do result in a longer hours of use lifespan, but in this case, that’s not a factor since you only run it 3 minutes, and aren’t looking to get 6,000 hours out of it.
All cold start wear, and wear of running 3 minutes, will happen in the first 3 minutes of an hour long run. The engine doesn’t self rebuild itself during the additional 57 minutes.
Keep the machine out of temperature changes like a garage, and change your fluids regularly. If you don’t mind having to manually charge your battery because you don’t run it long enough to charge with the alternator, then that’s your decision. Otherwise with only periodic 3 minute runs, it should last you a lifetime

 

[Runner]

I'm in the camp of trying to come up with several jobs for it each time I take it out. Like yesterday, I combined some minor gravel drive repair that took about a half hour with my compost pile maintenance.

You can get creative, go check the mailbox, bring in the trash cans, move some furniture, do a perimeter search on your pasture etc.......

 

[Agvg]

Millions of diesel engines are used in this way, no big problem. You have to start and light work for a few minutes and don't wear your engine.

I have a diesel van, I don't have any heating seremoni every time I start for a 5 min drive in the winter, are the windows clear from ice I drive a way, does get below - 20C I'm so kind to it that it get a couple of minutes of idle, it has turbos and everything that scares a lot of people on this forum.

 

[arrow]

The truth of the matter is that a diesel engine continues combustion with its own compression.
Gets very hot very quickly.
It takes only less than 30 seconds to get oil flowing freely and a couple of minutes to get warmed up.
Use a diesel fuel treatment in winter and a synthetic oil and you’ll be fine.

 

[Notforhire]

STOP using your tractor

You will just wreck it!!

Drop it off at my place and I'll run it and take care of it for you free of charge.

 

[CutTheHolesOut]

Thank you all for the replies. Can you help me to understand why water would be in the oil if I use it for short periods? Does something about a short use draw more water in? Or what I think would be more likely is that the oil wouldn’t get hot enough to boil the water away that just condenses from changing weather temperatures? So I would imagine water is going to be a problem if I use it for a short time or not at all. And if my thinking is correct so far, would it be best to get it up to operating temperature once in a while even if it’s just going to sit there, just to evaporate the condensed water away?

 

[deserteagle71]

Or what I think would be more likely is that the oil wouldn’t get hot enough to boil the water away that just condenses from changing weather temperatures? So I would imagine water is going to be a problem if I use it for a short time or not at all. And if my thinking is correct so far, would it be best to get it up to operating temperature once in a while even if it’s just going to sit there, just to evaporate the condensed water away?

^ This.

 

[Hoobie]

My understanding, although it is limited I admit, is that water, H2O is a product of combustion. Hydrogen in fuel, H, combines with oxygen, O, in air to make H2O, water. This can be seen on cold winter days as vapour or even water drops coming from automobile tail pipes. If the engine is driven long enough to get up to operating temp. the water is driven off. If not it stays around causing issues.

 

[Notforhire]

I don't think this was mentioned, so here goes.
You should try to keep your fuel tank pretty full. The air space in the tank contributes to moisture.
I would also recommend something like Power Service fuel additive.