Cold weather operation

jhansen17 · Jan 16, 2020

Here's another question I feel kind of dumb asking, but I'm going to ask it anyway.

Where I live it gets cold in the winter, sometimes as cold as sub-zero. What (if any) risks do I run by running my JD 630 in temps that cold? Are there any measures I should take to reduce or eliminate those risks? I don't have a block heater for it and I'm not likely to add one.

I'm sure in its past life, it was run regularly in conditions like this. It's a gas tractor, so I'm pretty sure she'll start. Assuming she does, is it just a matter of letting her warm up a bit? If so, how long, and what RPMs? Fast idle? Slow idle?

How cold is cold enough to change how I'm operating? 30s? 20s? 10s?

Mark-Ia · Jan 16, 2020

Make sure there is no water in the oil. It will freeze and break the oil pump coupler. The result is no oil pressure and engine damage.

NY 986 · Jan 16, 2020

Most tractor engines from that era had a recommendation for something on the order of 10W oil for low temperature operation. I would think that a multi-weight oil such as a 10W40 or a 15W40 would work fine. As the other poster suggested make sure any water is removed from the system. Keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge the first time or two that you go to a new oil. Noises from the crankcase such as a whining sound may indicate oil not flowing sufficiently. If possible keep the tractor inside and in an area that could be heated. In the old days draining the oil out at the end of the day and bringing it into the house where it was warm followed by dumping into the crankcase the next morning before starting was done a fair amount.

Dan in Ohio · Jan 16, 2020

jhansen17,

Starting my tractors when it is very cold has always concerned me too. I have put block heaters on couple of my tractors even though they are diesels with cranking engines. The heater I use is the same one used on my new (2006) 2520 CUT to heat block and trans. On the 70D std (painted like a 720) I added a hose to aid in circulation . This set up will raise the temp of the water significantly in just an hour, then the cranking engine adds to the warming process as designed. You can also cover the front grill screen to restrict air flow like shutters would. I know the larger 30 series tractor had a factory block heater as an option.

[video play=false:654c4848f0]https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvvideos/cvvideo2382.avi[/video:654c4848f0]

centash · Jan 16, 2020

Avoid excessive choking, that may result in raw gasoline in the crankcase. Use a lighter multi grade oil as indicated in the manual, on the oil filter cup and by other posters on here. On initial start up, make sure the oil pressure gauge shows pressure within a few seconds. Let the engine run for a few minutes at low revs, but just above idle, and til in can run with the choke fully in. Start off with lighter loads until the temp gauge register normal or near normal, knowing that under light loads it may not get that high. If possible work the engine for ten minutes or so under a good load, this will evaporate off any collected water in the crankcase. If you cannot do that, be prepared to change the oil more offer to drain out this condensed water. Don't worry too much, those old tractor engines were built to work under extreme conditions, just use a bit of common sense and extra care and it will go a long time.

Ben

John Deere D · Jan 16, 2020

I own and have operated my JD 520 -20 > -40 deg F.....

I had the Tractor plugged in (electric heater on engine coolant) with a Tarp enclosing the entire tractor so as to make a red neck HEAT HOUZER...
15-40 oil....
Tractor had a Canvas Tarp over entire Tractor when not running..

Ran perfectly.....I now winter in Arizona.....

Bob...North Western Alberta..

matthies · Jan 16, 2020

If you could disengage the hydraulics until its warmed would help, but then shutting off the engine to engage can be a pain. I switched my tractors over to 15w40 and they seemed to turn over harder and head gasket started leaking oil on my pickup also. Still have a Kats heater on our 630, it was put into a plug on the upper corner off the head and the lower coolant pipe. I went to 10w30 for the Farmall H since its the loader tractor and it has helped.

Brownie450 · Jan 17, 2020

Neighbor down the road said to bring 3 things into
the house at night when the temp. got to zero or
below.
Crankcase oil, the battery, & the oil bath air
cleaner cup.

Cold weather operation

jhansen17

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Mark-Ia

Well-known Member

NY 986

Well-known Member

Dan in Ohio

Well-known Member

centash

Well-known Member

John Deere D

Well-known Member

matthies

Well-known Member

Brownie450

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