When to shut down

[Trainman2k]

Sadly, reality dictates there are few projects we undertake which allows us to constantly use our tractors from start to finish. There are times that we must dismount and do some neanderthal style "hands on", or BOOTS (Butt's Out Of Tractor Seat) work.

So....
With a Kubota BX1870, which has the standard 18hp diesel engine and is FEL equipped, when is it more beneficial to shut the engine down verses leaving it sit at idle?

I know that the ambient temperature has a lot to do with this decision because the HST and other mechanical devises on the tractor need to be at, or stay at, normal operating temperature to prevent possible damage.

I've always heard it's "better" to leave a diesel engine idle than it is to shut it down and restart it several minutes later, but how long is too long for it to idle? (Don't factor in the fuel cost because that is over-thinking my question)

Like any new Pappy, I just want to do what's best for my new Kubbie.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The exact formula varies, I personally don't shut my tractor down unless it's going to be a long run off the tractor.
Fuel wise it can idle for a long time before it meets the waste of starting and warming up.

 

[Highspeed]

Ditto to Wolfman. I have no problem letting it idle for 10 minutes if I know I'll be back on the tractor. In cold weather it could be even longer; warm fluids works best. The battery and starter do have finite lives, which are also a consideration.

 

[Daren Todd]

Like they said i'll let mine idle for a bit, even if i'm taking a break for a snack. Only time i will shut it down completely, even if i'm coming right back, is if i have to leave it's site and the grand kiddos are at the house they love the tractor And are usually all over it. In this case it's a safety issue

 

[Tooljunkie]

I get a helper so I don't have to climb off tractor. Lol.
Better to leave it run, just remember to set brake, take safety precautions.
I'm more concerned about running battery down from multiple starts, that little generator takes a while to recharge battery. Low battery is hard on starter.

 

[Stubbyie]

I tend to use about ten minutes out of sight or so as an indicator of when to shut down.

If I'm working right there around the machine it can sit and idle for up to a half-hour and I'm not concerned. I'd rather it stay warm and be ready to go if I decide to move it or use it.

If out of sight, I'm pretty tight about ten minutes or so; with no overheat or low oil safety shut-downs I'd rather it not be alone too long.

Fuel consumption? Parked at idle these things sip tiny amounts.

Ground your load(s) front and rear for safety.

If I'm further than I want to walk back to the shop, barn, house, truck, or neighbor I never shut down when off by myself. I've even left it running at idle as the best of the worst-case possibilities when stuck so solidly I had to go get help; it may not recrank when I return then I've got two problems and only one tractor and a now-dead boat anchor stuck and can't help itself get out.

 

[Trainman2k]

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply.

I guess I need to get away from my "internal combustion" frame of mind and adapt to diesel. I was shutting mine down almost all the time as if it were a gasoline engine.

 

[Daren Todd]

You'll start eating the battery up, if it's shut down quite often. I have to pull the fork lift out at work and let it run for at least a half hour once a week to maintain the battery. It gets multiple quick trips in and around the yard. And frequent starts. Battery will start getting weak after about a month of quick starts and no real run time

 

[RidiculouslyNecessary]

Diesels are real fuel sippers, especially at idle. As someone mentioned, safety is the other issue where applicable.

That's one think I love about diesel, tons of torque, low rpm power band, and uses almost half the fuel as our Zero Turn 23hp Simplicity. The Kubota is a 30hp diesel.

 

[85Hokie]

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply.

I guess I need to get away from my "internal combustion" frame of mind and adapt to diesel. I was shutting mine down almost all the time as if it were a gasoline engine.

Sometimes you gotta shut her down to talk to the other woman!!!!!!

i too let mine idle if for 10 minutes ......

 

[ShaunRH]

I can't let my L3200 idle, it shuts off seconds after I leave the seat, so it's not an option, darned safety switches!

On the older iron, it just sits there and idles because it's a pain to restart one of the units, the other it's less of a pain but fuel shutoffs, etc. make it not as car-like as the L3200.

 

[mickeyd]

My L3200 idles fine if I put it in Neutral and have the PTO off!

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Shaun,

I had the same problem. That was part of the reason my battery was down a lot: Frequent re-starts after the seat switch or HST switch shut it down for me.

The trick on mine was the HST pedal switch. The pedal pivot got stiff and the pedal would hang in FWD or REV just enough to engage the "we are going somewhere" switch that with no weight in the seat meant, "we are going somewhere on our own" -which shut the motor down.

If yours is HST, lube up the pedal pivot and maybe bend the seat switch bracket up 1/4" to make sure it is making good contact with an unloaded seat. That solved my problem and now it weird because the thing almost never shuts down now! Mo-bettuh!