Break in? JD4300

[npalomba]

If you read the posts on the Buying section you'll find that I just purchased a 4300 HST. Could anyone tell me if you did anything to break it in? Other than normal use? Should you put a few hours on it before lifting big loads? Any thoughts would be great.

 

[cowboydoc]

John,
It's always been my experience to break it in like you want to use it. There are a couple reasons for this. One depending on how much you are going to use the machine you want to make sure that you do everything to it that you are going to to make sure that there is not anything that is going to need fixed on it. Now this doesn't mean go out and do tractor pulls but don't be afraid to use it after it is warmed up. Whether this next reason is true or not I've heard it from a number of mechanics and they have all told me that if you break them in like you want that is how they will perform as you need to get them a little heavy use in the beginning to seat everything right. My advice would to use it like you normally would, just warm it up good, and change all fluids and grease it as recommended.

 

[Bird]

I agree, Richard, although we may be going against the tide. The manual says to not operate it wide open the first 50 hours; however, I certainly used PTO powered implements at PTO speed which is awfully close to being wide open. I do believe in varying speed and RPM on any new machine, but I've usually "broken in" all my new engines, whether gasoline or diesel, cars, tractors, and motorcycles by seeing what they would do within a very few hours or miles. And I've yet to have one that failed, burned oil, etc.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

CHANGE OIL AND FILTERS, EARLY

 

[JATO_RaT]

Yes, do change the oil as directed in your manual and one little word of advice, watch the steering hydraulic cylinder, their leaking is notorious and JD will of course fix it for free. Turn it hard and turn it often to be sure yours is not one of those prone to leaking. Rat...

 

[vausch]

I have a JD4700 4wd purchased new at the beginning of the summer and just happened to read this post. The next day when I was mowing a field, I made a point to cut the front wheels sharp. At the end of the day, I checked my steering cylinder. Guess what? It had started leaking. Good advice, Rat.

 

[kerr]

Let it warm up to operating temp before use about 1300 rpm.Dont lug it . let her cool down good before you kill it too,about 1200-1300 rpm.I put more miles on my creeper looking for problems the first mounth than my 4200.I keep the engine blown off,radiator,air filters.Squirt em off with a hose before i put him to bed.Yes, overkill!