full throttle no load to warm up?

[The motor guy]

My Kawasaki lawn mower engine recommends to warm up the engine at half throttle for 3-4 minutes before using. It says to do this to allow all parts to expand at an even rate. On one of my other mowers I just left it at full throttle cause the throttle was stiff. Never seemed to harm it I just made sure I didn't go loading it down heavy when the engine was cold. What do you guys think? I get tired of messing with the throttle all the time. It also says to engage the PTO at 1/2 throttle, in addition to that it calls for me to idle for a few minutes after heavy load. Honestly I think an air cooled engine would cool down more if you let it run at full throttle with no load. Today I just left it at full throttle the whole time with the exception of the first start of the day.

 

[The motor guy]

Also I noticed it takes a while to warm up if you let it warm up at dead idle. Like 5 minutes before I feel the oil filter start to get warm. Kind of dumb I think I mean how many generators and that kind of thing go straight to full throttle as soon as they start. Not only portable generators, but big v16 caterpillar engines too.

 

[Ethan1]

I have a Kawasaki engine in my lawn tractor, and I'm 100% positive that it will last longer than the rest of the tractor no matter what I do! I plow snow with it and I don't bother to warm it up for 3-4 minutes even when it's -10 outside.

 

[Shannow]

More revs equals more oil shear equals faster heating rates....simple physics.

At a given speed, they are much less dependent on load than revs.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
More revs equals more oil shear equals faster heating rates....simple physics.

At a given speed, they are much less dependent on load than revs.


So you're saying to just leave her at full throttle all the time? Personally I like to leave throttle cables and cables alone in general cause they stretch and get worn out and eventually break. Then I lose 3hrs of work to go track down some stupid parts.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
More revs equals more oil shear equals faster heating rates....simple physics.

At a given speed, they are much less dependent on load than revs.


IMO I think parts would be lubricated more thoroughly at higher rpms vs pumping thick cold oil up to the top end at a slow rate.

 

[JR]

I usually let my stuff idle tip smooth, high idle til choke gets opens, then work it.
I know my rentals get full throttle and go, they survive.

To answer the comment about gen's start at wot, yes many do.
Those cat'e, Cummins, DD, MTU, etc v12/16/20/24 yes they start and go to rated speed, but only after oil pressure up.
At my other job the bosses baby is a mint low hour Detroit 12v149 was a backup from the hhospital he works for. Sae40 and it starts and runs upto 1,800rpm at 10psi of oil. Roots blower with turbos.


Harvey

 

[Eddie]

I warm up my B&S twin at 1/3 throttle for about 3-4 minutes under no load then turn blades on and go Full throttle for mowing. Ed

 

[The motor guy]

I just don't see the point of warming it up unless it's going to be placed under heavy load. Cutting off 2" of grass isn't going to load it down.

 

[SteveSRT8]

26 hp Briggs twin here, it says specifically in the manual to always run it at full throttle only. So we do that.

Only 150 hours, but running very sweetly...

 

[Eddie]

My 20 HP B&S twin says mow at full throttle but, nothing about warming up. Mentions to start engine -full choke and ~ 1/2 throttle.

 

[JTK]

You don't have a choice with lots of OPE. It runs right up to max governed speed after you start it.