Stupid new guy question: I understand the importance of allowing enough time for warming up the tractor before putting it under stress in cold weather. But what do you do in the summer? This weekend it was close to 80 degrees outside and I still warmed it up for several minutes but wondered how long do I really need to wait before I start using the tractor? Do I just rely on the temp gauge and wait for that to hit normal? Thanks for your answers.
Warm up time in Winter vs. Summer
- Thread starter Evad
- Start date
Thanks for that. I know I should not stress the tractor before its fully warmed up but can I move the tractor before warm up is completely done?
That’ll open up a can of worms…I follow the guidance in my manual and wait the 5 minutes. My tractor sits right in front of my wood shop so there’s plenty for me to keep busy while it warms up.
Ugh I do not want to be THAT GUY that asks a hyper controversial question. Sorry about that. Thanks for the info.
First, if it's below 30°F, I'm probably not on my tractor. I start the tractor, let it run 30 sec to a minute, then pull it out of the shed. Then I'm either changing implements or driving to the job, neither are heavy loads. I don't see that driving at a reasonable speed on level ground puts any more stress on it than if it's sitting still. Besides, running the gears lightly generates a little heat and helps distribute heat from the hydraulic oil as it warms up. Things like the front axle don't get heat until you work them.
Today's small tractors, like our vehicles, are much lighter than the old ones and it doesn't take long for them to warm up, or cool down.
I usually run mine even in Summer for a bit. I don't use a watch. For the most part, if it runs smoothly, I think I'm pretty good. Fwiw, when it was really cold, and I needed to use it, it vibrated quite a lot until it warmed up.
However, I don't immediately work it as hard as it can go. In that case, I wait for the engine to come up to temperature.
In any case, I usually drive at least a short distance before I do anything due to where I will need to work which is almost never next to where it is parked.
However, I don't immediately work it as hard as it can go. In that case, I wait for the engine to come up to temperature.
In any case, I usually drive at least a short distance before I do anything due to where I will need to work which is almost never next to where it is parked.
I'll let it sit for about a minute. Then drove over to where the work is (low gear, part throttle). After that, I'll use it lightly for another few minutes before going bonkers.
Jchonline
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Equipment
Kubota L6060, KX040-4, M7060, RTV X1100C, M62 (sold)
I wait until the needle moves into range on the engine temp. That is going to happen much quicker in the Summer.
I dont let it get to Normal, but I make sure its moved past C before I start moving. Not sure if that is correct but its what I do. I also ease into the work until its at operating temp.
I warm it both in summer and winter. I also like to see the gauge move up a bit past the C before I move it and usually pretty close to normal temps before it works hard. Every gas or diesel motor I have gets a warm up before going to work. Can’t see the harm in it so
Don't sweat it... ask away any questions you have... I do not run my tractor a bunch, so I'm fine with extra warm up time (to the point, I forget it's even running....) I putter around here and there anytime after it starts but I don't work it hard until the temp gauge moves (it doesn't move all that much just 1/8 of the way up - unless the radiator is getting clogged up!?!?!)
I think very similar for me as others stated…Only difference for me is that when it’s cold, I use the block heater, and then it starts easier and warms up quicker than it does in the summer…no joke. That being said, no matter the season, I like to see the temperature gauge (bar) recognized in the dash before I get too happy with the throttle. Usually open door, start machine, roll out of barn, go back and close the door, water the grass behind the barn
and then hop on tractor and start rolling…by the time I get to the road it’s good to go.
I get into my car and start driving it as soon as the engine starts because according to the engineers at Ford, that is better than having it sitting and idling. I did the same with my BX22 and it had about 800 hours on it when I sold it, and not a single problem, except for a clogged fuel filter, because I never changed them. I do the same with my BX23S, and I expect that it will outlive me. I don't work it hard, but I do move the tractor to where I am going to use it. In the winter, its block heater provides a lot of warmth to the engine, and I start the engine, engage the snowblower, and start to slowly blow snow until the engine comes up to temperature.
My truck definitely gets the warm up period during the winters. Not because of the engine. My butt wants a warm heated seat to sit on lol.
My manual implies that this extra time is to warm up the (hydrostatic) transmission fluid:
It does say to operate at 50% of rpm until the time passes. I try not to lift anything heavy or rev it too high during that time (but move around to hitch up an implement, for example. With my gear drive tractors I would wait for the temp gauge to budge, then another minute or so to let the oil temp approach the water temp. I'm much more cautious with the Kubota than I was with the 60 year old gear drive tractors that I had before.
It does say to operate at 50% of rpm until the time passes. I try not to lift anything heavy or rev it too high during that time (but move around to hitch up an implement, for example. With my gear drive tractors I would wait for the temp gauge to budge, then another minute or so to let the oil temp approach the water temp. I'm much more cautious with the Kubota than I was with the 60 year old gear drive tractors that I had before.
The answer is yes, you can move the tractor while it's warming up. Keep the rpms low and accelerate slowly. I keep mine in a garage, so I have to move it out to warm it up. CO2 is bad for the tractor and it's really bad for a human.
The tractor should be at normal operating temperature before putting it to normal or above normal use.
The tractor should be at normal operating temperature before putting it to normal or above normal use.