Regen cycle

[uptaker73]

Experienced my first regen cycle with the RK37 at 32 hours, It didn't perform as the manual suggested. I applied the brake and hit the ACK button and nothing. I ended up raising the rpm's up to 2200 manually. The regen light did eventually clear after roughly 30 minutes. Just wondering if anyone else have had this issue?

 

[chesternator]

Yes, same for me. Couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong but definately not working as the manual suggests. Figured I was just doing something wrong or misunderstood something.

 

[uptaker73]

Hopefully RK Tractor guy can answer this issue.

 

[g8erh8er]

Experienced my first regen cycle with the RK37 at 32 hours, It didn't perform as the manual suggested. I applied the brake and hit the ACK button and nothing. I ended up raising the rpm's up to 2200 manually. The regen light did eventually clear after roughly 30 minutes. Just wondering if anyone else have had this issue?

So your dash illuminated with the engine warning light (exclamation point) and regen request lamp, indicating that you needed to manually start the operation?

And when you say the regen lamp cleared, are you referring to the exhaust temp lamp?

Curious to know what to expect and a little confused about the process as described by the manual.

It states that the exhaust temp lamp will illuminate when the DPF is at 400+ degrees. It also states that automatic regen occurs whenever the exhaust temp lamp comes on during work.

So, if all it takes is 2200 rpm for an extended period to achieve 400 degrees at the DPF, wouldn't the tractor be regenerating anytime you have the rpms above 2200 for a decent amount of time? Or is there something special that occurs during regen that gets the DPF that hot, meaning the DPF cannot achieve 400 deg. via higher rpms alone?

 

[uptaker73]

When it happened the first thing that grabbed my attention was a different smell from the exhaust. I assuming where it had injected fuel into the filter to burn. That's when I looked down and noticed the Regen indicator was on. And yes it showed an temp with the regen symbol. Very confusing for me as well when it happened. You will smell it before you see it!!

 

[chesternator]

When it happened the first thing that grabbed my attention was a different smell from the exhaust. I assuming where it had injected fuel into the filter to burn. That's when I looked down and noticed the Regen indicator was on. And yes it showed an temp with the regen symbol. Very confusing for me as well when it happened. You will smell it before you see it!!

Maybe not i'f you are in a cab. I noticed the light and it didnt respond to the button press as expected. I was in the middle of a job and didnt recall all of the details of what was in the manual except I need to push that button and then let it complete. I dont recall if it went out first or of it went out because I shut it off eventually.

 

[g8erh8er]

Maybe not i'f you are in a cab. I noticed the light and it didnt respond to the button press as expected. I was in the middle of a job and didnt recall all of the details of what was in the manual except I need to push that button and then let it complete. I dont recall if it went out first or of it went out because I shut it off eventually.

You only have to push the button if both the engine light and regen request light illuminate. If just the exhaust temp light comes on, then the process is happening automatically.

Is everyone saying they got both engine warning and regen request lights?

 

[chesternator]

You only have to push the button if both the engine light and regen request light illuminate. If just the exhaust temp light comes on, then the process is happening automatically.

Is everyone saying they got both engine warning and regen request lights?

I only got one light but rpms were not up automatically

 

[jeff9366]

Regeneration does not commence until the DPF is hot.

In cold weather it can take awhile for DPF to pre-heat prior to regeneration actually starting.

If you are working, the DPF must be continually hot for regeneration. If the temp drops, the regeneration ceases and has to be started again from beginning, not from when it stopped.

I expect the cold weather is your problem.

 

[chesternator]

Regeneration does not commence until the DPF is hot.

In cold weather it can take awhile for DPF to pre-heat prior to regeneration actually starting.

If you are working, the DPF must be continually hot for regeneration. If the temp drops, the regeneration ceases and has to be started again from beginning.

I expect the cold weather is your problem.

For me this was some time ago when it was warm outside. I'm sure I eventually turned off the tractor when nothing ever seemed to happen aside from a light. The next time I started it up there was no light. I doubt but its possible my rpms where up from actual work being done and it completed?

 

[jeff9366]

That is possible but difficult to diagnose from here.

Temperature is important to when/how long regeneration occurs and each tractor is somewhat different.

You can rely on notification when next regeneration is due. I would just tractor on until then.

The DPF is not a complex part. It is a ceramic matrix, which supplants a muffler, having the additional function of collecting soot/particulates.

Would a little additional soot in a muffler worry you?

 

[chesternator]

That is possible but difficult to diagnose from here.

Temperature is important to when/how long regeneration occurs and each tractor is somewhat different.

I think you can rely on notification when next regeneration is due. I would just tractor on until then.

The DPF is not a complex part. It is a ceramic matrix, which supplants a muffler, having the additional function of collecting soot/particulates.

Would a little additional soot in a muffler worry you?

Not at this time which is why I didn't start my own post about it months ago but at some point I need to figure it out or it may be an issue if it never runs correctly over years.

 

[jeff9366]

Beginning about thirty-three horsepower most tractors have Diesel Particulate Filters.
If not DPF, the less used alternative emission technology is Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC).
Both the DPF and the DOC are honeycomb ceramic filters.
The DOC forces engine exhaust over a honeycomb ceramic structure coated with platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These catalysts oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water at hot exhaust temperature.


Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) captures exhaust particulates (soot) in a ceramic matrix. If engine is not operated sufficiently hot to incinerate exhaust particulates continuously, diesel soot accumulates in the matrix. Burning off accumulated DPF soot during active operation or parked is called REGENERATION.

Parked Regeneration is a process on diesel engines with diesel particulate filters (DPF) that temporarily changes the operating settings of the engine to generate extra-high temperatures in the DPF to combust and consume engine exhaust products (particulates/soot) that accumulate in the DPF during normal engine operation.

Soot conversion to ash requires about sixteen minutes once DPF reaches incineration temperature (500 deg F.) in warm Florida. Colder temperatures and higher altitude increase soot accumulation.

Forty percent of my Kubota regenerations occur during operation at high-throttle, sixty percent parked. Your tractor operation probably varies from mine.

DPF or DOC, your Tier IV engine has a ceramic-matrix, particulate-eliminator in the exhaust stream.
THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH.​

Regeneration is an infrequent event for my Kubota three cylinder engine.
Generally once every sixty engine hours. (Consistent in Florida due to warm weather.)

60 hours X 60 minutes = 3,600 minutes.

16 regeneration minutes /3,600 = .00444 = 4/10s of 1% of engine time is parked regeneration.

Fuel cost for sixteen minute parked regeneration @ 2,200 rpm ~~$1.00.



Diesel Particulate Filter supersedes tractor muffler.
At some point in time DPF needs to be replaced.
At some point in time older tractors with mufflers need the muffler replaced.

Tire wear and tire replacement will cause as many headaches and more expense than DPF for most long term compact tractor owners who read and comprehend their Operator's Manual.