I was planning on keeping it outside, but from experience of other owners, I can store it in garage, which has above freezing temp. I just talked to Terry and he said replacing 10W40 with 10W30 is an option. Will see. have to experiment.
PT and cold climate
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I was planning on keeping it outside, but from experience of other owners, I can store it in garage, which has above freezing temp. I just talked to Terry and he said replacing 10W40 with 10W30 is an option. Will see. have to experiment.
MossRoad
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As ponytug mentions, the hydraulics get hot in a PT. So much so, that the hydraulic cooler fan will come on in sub-freezing temperatures after 20-30 minutes of use at full throttle while plowing snow.
The pumps are always pumping, which moves the fluid, which causes friction, which warms the fluid. For example, you start the engine, the steering/FEL/AuxPTO pump section is spinning at the same RPMs as the engine immediately. It's pushing fluid through the pump, hoses, fittings, steering valve, the power-beyond port on the steering valve, more fittings and hoses, then on to the 3-valve bank with the two valves for the 4 FEL functions, and the one valve for the AuxPTO (the knee height lever that operates the QA or power angle on the snow plow, etc...), more fittings, hoses, and back to the tank. That's a lot of bends and turns and friction for the fluid. It does this wether you're moving, sitting still, operating the FEL or not. The fluid is in constant motion.
Same thing for the main PTO pump section; the fluid is always moving through that pump and back to the tank until you flip the PTO switch on the dash. Then it electrically diverts to the main PTO hoses on the FEL arms, through the implement's motor, and back to the tank.
The variable volume pump's charge pump always pulls some fluid through the filter, through the charge pump, and back to the tank, even if you aren't moving. When you do move, the tram circuit is almost a closed loop, so that fluid doesn't heat up until you start driving around. The charge pump just makes up any leakage in the tram pump, as I understand it.
Anyhow, there you have it. Any time engine is on, the hydraulic fluid is moving and heating up due to friction.
It should hold heat for well over an hour, even in the coldest of temps once you shut it off.
The pumps are always pumping, which moves the fluid, which causes friction, which warms the fluid. For example, you start the engine, the steering/FEL/AuxPTO pump section is spinning at the same RPMs as the engine immediately. It's pushing fluid through the pump, hoses, fittings, steering valve, the power-beyond port on the steering valve, more fittings and hoses, then on to the 3-valve bank with the two valves for the 4 FEL functions, and the one valve for the AuxPTO (the knee height lever that operates the QA or power angle on the snow plow, etc...), more fittings, hoses, and back to the tank. That's a lot of bends and turns and friction for the fluid. It does this wether you're moving, sitting still, operating the FEL or not. The fluid is in constant motion.
Same thing for the main PTO pump section; the fluid is always moving through that pump and back to the tank until you flip the PTO switch on the dash. Then it electrically diverts to the main PTO hoses on the FEL arms, through the implement's motor, and back to the tank.
The variable volume pump's charge pump always pulls some fluid through the filter, through the charge pump, and back to the tank, even if you aren't moving. When you do move, the tram circuit is almost a closed loop, so that fluid doesn't heat up until you start driving around. The charge pump just makes up any leakage in the tram pump, as I understand it.
Anyhow, there you have it. Any time engine is on, the hydraulic fluid is moving and heating up due to friction.
It should hold heat for well over an hour, even in the coldest of temps once you shut it off.
MossRoad
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I wouldn't run it in an attached garage very long due to carbon monoxide. I'm fortunate in that we have detached garages and sheds. But I would start it and let it warm up for 2-3 minutes, then inch it outside to finish warming up. Just don't mash the hydraulics while they're ice cold.
MossRoad
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You have to remember that Terry from PT lives in Tazewell, VA where the average low temp for the coldest day of the year, January 29th, is 25F and the average high is 41F. :laughing: What's freezing cold to them is probably a sweatshirt over t-shirt day to you.
I think the new Kohlers that PT uses are fuel injected, though. You'd have to ask to be sure. And from what I've hear, the fuel injection engines start much easier than the older carbureted engines like mine.
You have to remember that Terry from PT lives in Tazewell, VA where the average low temp for the coldest day of the year, January 29th, is 25F and the average high is 41F. :laughing: What's freezing cold to them is probably a sweatshirt over t-shirt day to you.
I think the new Kohlers that PT uses are fuel injected, though. You'd have to ask to be sure. And from what I've hear, the fuel injection engines start much easier than the older carbureted engines like mine.
I will call him tomorrow and relay your question regarding the engine. Will update here.
SpringHollow
Elite Member
15 minutes trailering would be no problem. It takes a while to cool down the hydraulic tank. I routinely leave it off for an hour in cold temps.
Ken
Ken
ponytug
Super Member
Umm...10W30 and 10W40 have the same cold weather viscosity. If you want to change the oil to something less viscous, it would be 5W30 or 5W40.
Another small tip: it is good to keep the throttle low while warming up, as you want to avoid collapsing the suction filter by trying to move high volumes of oil through the filter while cold.
Every little bit helps in my opinion; oil heater, enclosed garage, warm up are all great strategies. IIRC Wolverine brand were a popular choice.
All the best,
Peter
Another small tip: it is good to keep the throttle low while warming up, as you want to avoid collapsing the suction filter by trying to move high volumes of oil through the filter while cold.
Every little bit helps in my opinion; oil heater, enclosed garage, warm up are all great strategies. IIRC Wolverine brand were a popular choice.
All the best,
Peter
Tazewell confirmed the Kohler is carbureted for what its worth.
Thank you. I will look into oil heater installation once I finally get to buy the tractor. Having some financing issues.