Is Mid-Winter Engine Start Advised?

[new jersey mike]

I purchased a new T1530 back in Sep. for 2nd property in NY and I put it away in November and has been sitting since. I had put 35 hours on it so I changed the oil. It has a block heater but not plugged in to barn electric. It is stored in the barn out of the weather. I want to put a battery charger on it from saturday to sunday to bring the battery back to full charge.

My question is, would you plug the block heater in on saturday and start it on sunday with the outside temp forecast of 10 - 20 degrees and just to let it run for a while?

If there a benefit or is that just unnecessary wear and tear since the oil has dripped down?

If I start it I do not plan to move it out of the barn but I thought if it is running I should move the loader and bucket along with the PTO controls, any thoughts.

Thank you
Mike

 

[SandburRanch]

I purchased a new T1530 back in Sep. for 2nd property in NY and I put it away in November and has been sitting since. I had put 35 hours on it so I changed the oil. It has a block heater but not plugged in to barn electric. It is stored in the barn out of the weather. I want to put a battery charger on it from saturday to sunday to bring the battery back to full charge.

My question is, would you plug the block heater in on saturday and start it on sunday with the outside temp forecast of 10 - 20 degrees and just to let it run for a while?

If there a benefit or is that just unnecessary wear and tear since the oil has dripped down?

If I start it I do not plan to move it out of the barn but I thought if it is running I should move the loader and bucket along with the PTO controls, any thoughts.

Thank you
Mike

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Charge the battery and look it over carefully for signs of mouse damage / nests, especially behind the instrument panel. They seem to like to chew on wire insulation.

If it were mine I'd have to start it to be satisfied. And when I did I'd take it out of the barn and run it until it came up to full operating temperature. Otherwise I wouldn't bother starting it.

 

[smstonypoint]

If it were mine I'd have to start it to be satisfied. And when I did I'd take it out of the barn and run it until it came up to full operating temperature. Otherwise I wouldn't bother starting it.

I agree with SandburRanch. If you are going to start it, get it up to operating temperature. The owner's manual for my tractor (TN 55) gives directions for "storing" it more than a month. I would advise that you check your manual.

Steve

 

[CBP Engineer]

It is a good idea to push the oil back up into the engine and re-coat the places where it has dripped off after sitting all that time. Probably the best way would be to plug in the block heater for several hours to help warm up the oil, then turn it over. It would be best if you could keep it from starting at first. Just let the starter turn it over several times so the oil pump starts pushing up the oil. You would have to figure out how to disconnect the electrical connection to the fuel pump. Not sure how to do that on your tractor, but someone else might be able to help.

Another way to do it would be to go out in the cold of the morning and crank it over a few times. Don't activate the glow plugs manually, you don't want it to start at first. Then you can plug it in and go back in a few hours and start it up, or just use the glow plugs and start it right away.

It's not a bad idea to start it up and work the loader and PTO controls. I would move the tractor around a little as well so the tires are rotated and you get a different "flat spot". Myself, I couldn't keep from getting it out of the barn and playing with it for half an hour or so. The more you run it and move it around, the better. Get the engine oil and anti-freeze and the hydraulic fluid up to operating temperature and circulating. A hot engine will expel any moisture that has accumulated. If you let it sit and idle, be careful about exhaust fumes. Not sure how tightly the barn is sealed up. Have fun.

 

[bp fick]

Just wait until spring, when you start it up, can use it. I don't personally like to just start things and then not fully use them for at least a half hour.

 

[new jersey mike]

If I start it I will let it run for at least 1/2 to 1 hour. I would like to take it out and ride up and own the road with it but I suspect there is at least 2 feet of snow on the ground and the road is 100 ft away. Maybe that's nothing and I'm just not thinking like a 4x4 tractor operator yet.

I did review the manual before storing it but due to lack of room and inconvenience to my neighbor I was not able to disconnect the brush hog so that is still on and in a lowered position. The manual stated to raise the lower arms so to fill the cylinders and I was not able to raise the tractor off the ground either. I am also concerned about any flat spot developing, will flat spots work out in spring?

I had planned to go back up in December and run it but the schedule did not allow it.

Although I did change the oil at 35 hours, and these hours were at high rpm's so the actual is lower but I will do a complete 50 hour maintenance with all filters included.

I need to build my own garage and that will change a lot of things.

 

[shaley]

Did you add any diesel fuel conditioner when you stored it? I'd add some "Power Service" in the white bottle. When I set mine up for the winter I add 2 oz of 2 cycle marine oil to the fuel tank along with power service.

 

[new jersey mike]

Did you add any diesel fuel conditioner when you stored it? I'd add some "Power Service" in the white bottle. When I set mine up for the winter I add 2 oz of 2 cycle marine oil to the fuel tank along with power service.

I started to use "power service" diesel treatment in late OCT so I know it's in the engine and has a full treated tank now.

I have never read adding 2 cycle marine oil to diesel. I have a 10.3 gal fuel tank and I don't know the size of your tank, so the mix could be different. Until I learn more I will respectfully hold off on that one now.

 

[djradz]

You said you put it away in November, so it has sat only for ~3 months. I would plug it in for several hours, give it a couple of pre-heat cycles and then start it up. Throttle should be set a little less than half. Let it run for at least a half-hour, but not just sitting still, take if for a ride and get everything moving.

 

[DAY]

My guru told me to fill the tank when I treat the diesel fuel- all that 'empty' air space in the tank is where water condenses.