Diesel Engines

I've been watchin' the market and it seems the fun has kind of gone out of the old John Deere party as of late. We just gotta get those greenies back up there to that 300 percent over-inflated price.

I mean, it's a prestige thing, ya know. :>)

Allan

Another factor is idling after doing "WHAT". If your warming it up in cold weather, to go to work, I'd far sooner start the whole tractor or truck operating at 1000-1200. Diesels just never warm up if left idling at low idle.

If your idling down after some real work, by all means it should cool down a bit at 800. There is however no point in doing that for more than 2-3 min. After than shut it down, your just burning fuel, plus that diesel will hold it's heat 2-3 hours anyhow. Why in the summer months, those 400+ cubic inch engines will hold their heat overnight. Many times I've gone to my 1066 in the morning and could still feel a bit of heat in block.

Always plug that heater in for an hour or two in cool weather. Better yet, if it's gonna be a chore tractor, just leave 'er plugged in when not in use.

Idle it all ya want. You're not going to hurt that old bear. The John Deeres aren't nearly as bad about the slobberin' exhaust as the IHs are and that's about the only thing you'll notice.

Allan

Especially in cold weather, the wax in diesel fuel will accumulate in the cylinders at a slow idle. Many older diesels will also slobber unburned fuel out the exhaust in colder weather at idle.

Dodge mechanic had this to say about my bro's 06 Cummins, "If it's going to idle for more than 2 minutes, shut it off. Not designed to idle."

The high idleing is to keep them a little warmer.

I would rather idle a diesel longer than a gasser.

Raleigh if you don't quit worrying so much your gonna have a heart attack over your tractor.

I don't know what you are using your tractor for but I bet it ain't going to hurt it one bit to idle it for 2 hours every time you start it.

The Powerstroke under cold conditions (oil and coolant below certain temperatures, has been idling >2 minutes, transmission is in Park, etc) causes the engine computer to put it into "cold idle" mode. This increases the idle speed to 1,100 RPM and closes a back pressure valve in the exhaust outlet. These combine to make the engine to warm quickly and stay warm.

The restriction of backpressure valve is what gives the exhaust that 747-like roar you hear. Unfortunately also it causes the engine to burn more fuel at idle. But it DOES warm the engine up quickly!