Warming up the Tractor Before Use??

[bp fick]

I plow snow and do others chores in zero F temps. Fact of life up here.

Again, idling for 5 minutes is fine, but at some point, move the tractor, gently. Move it outside. Forward and reverse a little bit. Exercise the FEL or snow blade. Get it operating and it will warm up much faster. Kinda like stretching stiff muscles.

Don't attack anything until temps reach normal on the gauge.

It's a tractor. It'll be fine. These machines are thoroughly tested in arctic conditions by the Big 4 OEMs. They spend a lot of money on R & D.

Use common sense and you aren't going to hurt it. Baby HSTs whine. Just like human babies. Kinda their nature.

 

[bill in ny]

i run a 70,000 btu space heater on mine for 15min. makes a big difference.

 

[beenthere]

I've had my JD4300 for going on 12 years, and never hesitate to move in the dead of winter. Not a whole lot of difference sitting and idling vs moving, IMO.

As soon as the engine fires up, the oil is pumping through the dual pumps. I've not noticed any appreciable slowness to things working when cold. Within the first 100 ft. of pushing snow, we are good to go.

But then, mine is in a non-heated shed and the temps have been -20 deg and above, so not as severe as if I were in Canada or AK.
Have never used or thought about using a heater.

 

[Cidertom]

In the jd manual on the hst I have, it cautions to allow the hst/hydraulic to warm up before use.

I found I have to block the radiator on the 4520 to get it's engine to come up to op temp on those cold-cold days.

I can remember having a "horse blanket" on a tractor we used for snow removal on a comm site. I also remember trying hard not to be the one to have to use it.

 

[RoyJackson]

I always give it about 5 minutes idle (1200-1500 RPM) prior to putting any load on the machine...
Is it necessary? Dunno, but it makes me feel better.