Follow-up question to those making & using covers - Does the tractor come up higher in the "range" on the temp gauge?
- I am sure the answer is yes, but how much in a relative way? Of course, it makes sense that it is based on usage and ambient conditions etc. Also, Can you get it too hot using it hard?
The broader question - Is the bottom of the range OK for these engines in the winter?
My frame of reference is older HP gas engines where there is such a thing as too cool from an engine wear standpoint... Ex) I am talking 160' thermostat vs 180' etc
(not using it "cold") Doesn't really boil off moisture and more acids form faster.
Here's my take on your questions:
Follow-up question to those making & using covers - Does the tractor come up higher in the "range" on the temp gauge?
This was my experience with the B2650 during the first winter and covers:
Winter Front Covers
Growing up on a farm, we always fabbed up winter front covers for our tractors doing their winter chores. Both for the gas and diesel tractors. For the benefit of both the tractor and operator. We had no cabs on them and relied on engine heat blown back towards the operator.
I am sure the answer is yes, but how much in a relative way? Of course, it makes sense that it is based on usage and ambient conditions etc. Also, Can you get it too hot using it hard?
Yes, you can get it too hot if you don’t use common sense. Most likely each person’s conditions, tractor, equipment, engine loading, outside temps, etc. are different. You do have to pay attention to your heat gauge until you get familiar with your tractor and operation in those varying conditions. If you get it too hot by using it too hard, you’re not paying attention to your tractor’s temperature gauge. You simply adjust/remove covers if your temperature rises above your comfort level.
On my B2650, I’ve found that once the tractor temp gauge is in the midrange (3 to 4 bars) it takes quite a bit more of a sustained loading to reach each successively higher segment on the temperature display. It doesn’t all of a sudden jump to the over temp range. If you glance at your gauge often you should have plenty of time to react. Again, that’s my tractor in cold winter temps here in northern ND. If you forget to take the covers off in the middle of April or in much warmer temps wherever you are……those results may be different. Common sense rules the day. All it takes is to watch your temperature gauge and adjust/remove whatever means of covers you are using once the temperature starts to rise above your comfort level for your tractor.
The broader question - Is the bottom of the range OK for these engines in the winter?
That’s a broad question with broad answers. Are you talking winter in mid southern states or winter in northern states? Winter on the coast of Washington or winter here in northern ND? Then there’s southern Canada by Ottawa vs. the northern Yukon. Alaska?
There can be over 100°F difference in what people call winter depending on their location. Then there’s wind chill on top of that. What one person is fine with in winter in his location might not apply to another in their location.
My frame of reference is older HP gas engines where there is such a thing as too cool from an engine wear standpoint... Ex) I am talking 160' thermostat vs 180' etc (not using it "cold") Doesn't really boil off moisture and more acids form faster.
I’m certainly no expert. What I’ve grown up with, been told, and could find from reliable sources on the web is that a good diesel oil likes to be in that +190°F range and even well above. I think the tractor over temp alarm would sound before your engine oil started breaking down from the oil's temperature being too high.
Bob Is The Oil Guy is one source of info for reading.
At least in my winter weather conditions here, I like keeping the temperature gauge in the midrange or just above while using the tractor. Certainly much better for it than not having the temperature gauge register at all in our cold winter months. Using my covers gives me quick warmups, temps in the midrange, oil temp hot enough to burn off condensation, fuel under the hood is kept warm, no snow drawn into the air intake or engine compartment, etc.
