3616 HST

seasider · Feb 21, 2015

I introduced myself last week and took delivery of my 3616 HST yesterday and now I have a question regarding break in procedure. The tractor was delivered with two hours on the engine. Is this acceptable? How do I know proper run-in procedure was followed? I've bought many cars and trucks that had more than 2 hours running time and still were considered new but this my first tractor. The dealer is closed until Mon. so I thought I would ask here first.
The operator's manual states to run the engine at full throttle for the 2nd thru 5th hour with occasional short periods of lighter load. Does load only refer to engine speed or does it mean actually doing work (bush hogging ,moving dirt ,etc.)? These are probably dumb questions but remember this is my first tractor.

JerryK · Feb 21, 2015

Two or three hours is about as low of hours you will normally see on a new tractor. They have to move them around after they are assembled, especially if you are having things like back hoes, loaders, attached. Then they are probably shuffled around a little in the storage lot before they are loaded on transport to your dealer, off loaded, etc. Basically, it probably was run without reguard to ' breaking in '... so follow your manual and be happy..!!!!

[ you are allowed to sleep next to it for the first few nights as long as you do not let your wife know. Try not to leave wet spots that might degrade the paint ]

JerryK · Feb 21, 2015

I think that what they mean by load... is make the engine work a little by taking it for a ride in a higher gear up some small hills. If you had something to attach to the PTO, you could load it that way, too. Mainly, they don't want you to lug the motor at lower RPM's, idle it for hours, nor run it wide open all the time. Using it is good, and most things you will be doing will not hurt it.... Check the fluids, air pressure, and wheel lugs. Crawl around and note any leaks, wiggle stuff..... and ENJOY...!