Warm Up Time

[Mousefield]

I have always warmed my tractor up before using it, even in the summer. Of course in the winter it gets a few more minutes. As mentioned in other posts I start mine for a minute in idle and then up the revs for a few minutes to the 1,300-1,400 level. Think it may be more important if you have a HST transmission like I do.

 

[bigbull338]

i crank my tractor an let it warm up at idle for 3 or 4 mins or less.then i raise the loader an rear hay forks.then i rev to 1500rpms then go to work.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I have a JD 4720 hydro. and I purchased the tech. manual for the engine. I noticed it said not to allow the engine to idle more than 5 mins. stating "if the engine is going to idle more than 5 mins, turn it off" I thought this was kind of short. it claims more will cause build up. reading more and between the lines, it appears they don't want you put the engine under very much load until it's warm.

Just telling you what the books says...What i do is let it idle for 5 mins. and slowly drive it to where i need to work...that's a good warm up.

This applies to a "hot" tractor I think you will find.

If one has a FEL the answer is simple. Do not put it in gear if it is too cold for the FEL to lift enough to clear the ground.:thumbsup:

 

[Gary Fowler]

My LS is not hydro but it does have an oil temp light that stays on till the hydraulic oil gets warm. I keep the motor below 1500 RPM till the light goes out but since I wont be out on my tractor if it is below 20F it is not a real sensitive issue, I crank it let it idle for a minute or so while I check the instruments, parking brake, gear, range etc then I lift the FEL, back out of the shed at 1200 RPM and run it slow till my temps get to normal then what ever I want speed from then on. It only takes a few seconds for the engine to level out at 20F which is the lowest temp that I have used mine. Any colder than that and I figure I can wait till weather warms up to do the work. I dont have to worry about clearing snow etc in -? whatever temps in Bismarck. Both vehicles are 4 wd so I dont worry about clearing the driveway. Have to worry more about whether the highways are passable than my drive way

 

[Jay4200]

I have a hyro tran. on my tractor (DX45). My question to you all is what is enough warm up time in cold weather below 30 and many times below 0?
I usually let the tractor idle for 10 min to 15 min. Should I let it idle more?

FYI - my manual states to start up the tractor then throttle up to PTO speed to warm up. I don't crank up to full PTO speed (even when I'm running the PTO ), but I'll run maybe 2/3 PTO speed while warming.

I'd say 5 minutes is plenty - what you are warming up is the transmission fluid anyway. Once your transmission is operating correctly and your tractor moves without any significant delay when you hit go, you should start working it, IMHO.

JayC

 

[wvpolekat]

I can't say that I have ever warmed mine up. Maybe 20-30 seconds while I do a quick walk around and get my gloves and hat on. I don't have a thermometer in my garage, but the snow generally doesn't melt off the blade and tires. I don't know that I would ever leave it running in my garage because the exhaust of the tractor points right at the cat door that leads into the house.

That being said, I have never seen any delay in the HST or loader. The 3ph is sometimes a bit sluggish. Generally, I will run it at or just off idle to back out and get turned around to start clearing the driveway. Since the driveway is downhill, I can plow it at those speeds.

After the driveway, the temp gauge has come off "C" and I put it in high, pour the coals to 'er and run it up to the governor to plow the road (2600 RPM). Unless someone wants to talk, it stays there until I pull back into the garage, generally 30 min or so.

I have noticed that the hood gets hot enough to melt snow and steam when I have been working it hard. I suspect that is more a function of the muffler being right there than engine heat.

 

[rider9403]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll let the tractor run for abiout 5 min on the really cold days and less on the cold days. :thumbsup: A remote starter would be nice.:laughing:

Mark