Diesel tractor winter storage

[Anonymous-0]

The poster that asked the question about 2040 pto speeds and operating the 2040 at low speeds (and associated concerns that other posters indicated) made me think of a question- if you r operation is such that you have little or no reason to run your diesel tractor over the winter, what is recommended? Should you periodically run the machine around to circulate fluids, charge battery, roll tires, etc. ? If so, how long should it be run and at what speed? After reading the 2040 postings, I’m wondering if you should just let it sit for 4 months? Right now I start the machine up every 3 or 4 weeks and let it run for 15-25 minutes. If theres not a lot of snow on the ground I 'll drive it around a little.

 

[Tx Jim]

I crank my tractors at least once a month in the winter and run them long enough to get up to operating temp.

 

[David G]

I think you do more damage to start them in the winter than leaving them alone. I do not start mine unless they run at least an hour and warm up real good.

 

[ss55]

I think starting in winter had more to do with charging the battery than anything else. I prefer to remove the battery and leave vehicles parked with a full fuel tank to minimize condensation problems.

 

[D-]

Fill w/fuel and attach one of those battery maintainers.

 

[roger landers]

I have a mate that has Case 155 ,same as a NH tm155 . It does baling all harvesting season then is parked up over the late autumn to next season.
After about 4000 hrs ,(6-7 years old) the injectors and turbo started to fail.
The mechanic said that condensation/rust on the injectors etc from being stand for a long time each year was the cause. The area get a fair bit of rain each year ,but is always in a shed. He was told to run it during the winter period from time to time and get it up to operating temperature. As said battery maintaince type chargers will help the batteries last longer.

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 14:18:46 12/19/13) I have a mate that has Case 155 ,same as a NH tm155 . It does baling all harvesting season then is parked up over the late autumn to next season.
After about 4000 hrs ,(6-7 years old) the injectors and turbo started to fail.
The mechanic said that condensation/rust on the injectors etc from being stand for a long time each year was the cause. The area get a fair bit of rain each year ,but is always in a shed. .

Dang I'm glad I've been baling with a JD 4255 since '93. It has over 10,750 hrs on the same injectors & turbo.

 

[D-]

How can condensation get in injectors? Condensation enters tank from "breathing". That's why you need to leave the tank full through the winter, really every night after use.

 

[nlastovi]

(quoted from post at 18:48:10 12/19/13) How can condensation get in injectors? Condensation enters tank from "breathing". That's why you need to leave the tank full through the winter, really every night after use.

This is pretty common. If one or both of the valves is open, ambient atmosphere will move in and/or out. Which can certainly invite condensation which can lead to redox.

Now the next question would be related to if this could cause a problem with an injector

 

[D-]

What valves arte you referring to? Engine valves?
That still wouldn't allow condensation into inj.