1530 tractor maintenance

MMBoomer1530 · May 13, 2009

I have a 1530 tractor (Boomer series) which seems to be running okay, but recently I've noticed that it just doesn't seem to be as powerful as it used to be. It's garage kept and is only used for mowing and occasional attachment use (e.g., tilling, aerating, etc.). It has about 800 hours and I keep to the maintenance schedule pretty regularly (engine/hydraulic oil changes, coolant change, etc.). I'm in no way close to being considered a mechanic, so I don't mind asking a stupid question: can the horse power be tested in a tractor? I really don't have a specific problem with the tractor, so I hesitate to bring it to the dealer and spend money unnecessarily. Has anyone had a mechanic do any kind of 'overall check' of a tractor so that it is operating as best as possible?

JonL · May 14, 2009

Have you adjusted your valves at 600 hours? Anything different in the way the tractor sounds? Is there any smoke from the exhaust after the tractor is warmed up and working? (would indicate a clogged air cleaner) If your transmission seems different maybe the hydraulics are bypassing. Old fuel could be the cause of poor running/low power also as well as well as a clogged fuel filter.

My suggestion would be to start eliminating the basics before talking to the dealer. Check the valves, fuel, fuel fiter, and air cleaner first to eliminate the basics. We have a 1530 as well and it has been nearly perfect. It makes a great mowing tractor with the supersteer.

Jon

dqdave1 · May 14, 2009

I have 1800 hours on a TC 29 (1999) and valves have not needed adjusing in all that time. I do take it to dealer for all scheduled maintainance except oil changes do to time restraints. I did have a problem with some water in the fuel tank and it took about three fuel filters and conditioner to resolve the problem. I would change the fuel filter and make sure both air filters are clean. I didhave a bad injector at about 1000 hours which caused a power loss.

MMBoomer1530 · May 14, 2009

Thanks for the info. I've never heard of adjusting valves - I'll have to look into what this entails (i.e., do it myself vs. something the dealer should do). I try to replace the fuel filter routinely and clean the air filters periodically (I'll replace them only when they are staying dirty). I did notice during cold months that the engine would oscillate while idling. A friend told me to use a diesel supplement and this helped. I also readjusted the throttle (which was slipping while operating). I had to re-plum the hydraulic lines going into the radiator after the rubber elbows reptured on me like 3-4 times - New Holland had a recall but failed to let me know! All-in-all the tractor has served me well. I just want to make sure that I'm doing all I can to keep it in tip-top shape. Again, thanks for your comments!

Hooked_on_HP · May 14, 2009

If you are running bio diesel that could also be the problem.
Bill

MMBoomer1530 · May 15, 2009

Nope, no biodiesel. I'd love to meet-up with another NH-tractor owner to talk maintenance/operation/etc., but it seems that there are more Kubota owners than NH - at least in my circle of novice farmette-owners. I'll contact my local dealer and pick their brains about adjusting the valves (and other things). Again, thanks!

RickB · May 16, 2009

MMBoomer1530 said:
Nope, no biodiesel. I'd love to meet-up with another NH-tractor owner to talk maintenance/operation/etc., but it seems that there are more Kubota owners than NH - at least in my circle of novice farmette-owners. I'll contact my local dealer and pick their brains about adjusting the valves (and other things). Again, thanks!

It is not at all likely that a valve adjustment is needed. Frankly, there is more potential for a novice to do more harm than good in a first-time valve adjustment. Consider the advise given about fuel quality and the use of a conditioner. A well-equipped dealer will have a PTO dynamometer that can accurately test your tractor's HP output easily, quickly, and non-invasively.

MMBoomer1530 · May 28, 2024

Hello.
It's been a while (okay, long while) since I have been on this site, but I'm still curious about the topic of diesel engine preventive maintenance for my 1530 New Holland Boomer Series tractor. Besides the routine fluid/filter change maintenance that is recommended within the manual, is there any resource which lists out what dealer services should be routinely performed on such tractors prior to any problems appearing? I've gone to multiple dealers asking this question and they all have one common response - if there's no black smoke coming out of your exhaust then don't waste your money trying to service your engine. However, some other tractor owners have suggested such things as having glow plugs replaced (I have owned the tractor for 24 years and have never replaced them - they work - but I've been told that if you don't replace glow plugs then they can get seized and cause costly repairs). What about this valve adjustment thing? Should valves ever be adjusted? While I'm not trying to spend money unnecessarily, I would like to have an optimal tractor, would like to avoid things breaking resulting in costly repairs (an ounce of prevention is worth a lot more than a pound of cure!). Thank you in advance for any advice.