Oil & Fuel Questions re: small diesel operating speeds

[kco]

I just bought a used 1984 Kubota L275DT. It is around 27 hp with red line at 2,700 RPM and 540 PTO RPM equal to about 2,400 engine RPM. I am new to diesels and have a few basic questions.

1. how long, and at what speed, should I idle the tractor to warm it up?

2. the Kubota rep said that for most operations, I should operate the tractor at a speed that is equivalent to 540 rpm on the PTO. For the L275 that is about 2,400 RPM. Is that good advice?

3. if stopping for a short time (e.g. 5 minutes) is it better to stop the engine or leave it idling?

4. when left idling, should it be at the lowest speed or somewhat higher?

Thanks in advance,

Ken

 

[BIGUN]

1.I think Kubota recommends 5 minutes unless it is very cold then a longer warm-up is required.

2.Yes

3. 5 minutes would kind of be the breaking point for me, anything longer I would definitely shut it off after a short cool down idle, anything less I might just let it idle especially if it was hot from working hard.

4.If it were a 2-cylinder like my BX1500 I would run it at a fast idle to keep it from shaking itself apart, on a smooth idling engine I would run it a minimum speed.

 

[nobull1]

I will tell you what I did with my L275,be it right wrong or whatever.

1)Winter 10 mins Summer 5 mins 1100-1400 rpms

2) Yes, but I found you didn't have to be that high for all things just don't lug it

3) Let it run for short periods, better than starter repairs

4) Minimum ,unless trying to cool down motor

As I said this is what I did and seemed to work for me.

 

[John_Mc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 2. the Kubota rep said that for most operations, I should operate the tractor at a speed that is equivalent to 540 rpm on the PTO. For the L275 that is about 2,400 RPM. Is that good advice?)</font>

Only when running a PTO implement that needs to run at that speed (finish mowers and brush hogs come to mind). For other operations, that's overkill... it wastes fuel and contributes to higher wear on the engine. For example, when using the FEL, I typically run around 1800 RPM (my "540 PTO speed" RPM is similar to yours), I'll nudge it up a bit only when I need some extra power.

John Mc

 

[kco]

Thanks for the replies. I bought the tractor with a used finishing mower so will run it at 2,400 RPM for that. For other work I will run it a bit slower. I took the Kubota rep's advice too literally and was running the tractor at 2,400 even when just travelling. I'll slow it down a bit for that. The rep did tell me to make sure I don't lug the engine.

Thanks again for the replies.