Break in period????

[fdny_hick]

Hi Guys
I should have a new tractor within two weeks and was wondering about the proper break in period. I've got a ton of projects for the machine lined up. Besides mowing and vaccuming the grass, grading with box blade, raking and moving about 30-40 ton of topsoil and fill to start.
Should I refrain from doing any of these. The projects should have been done months ago but no machine then. I'd hate to have a brand new machine in the shed and not want to use it because of not wanting to work it to hard during the break in. If I have to rent a machine to work while my $20k machine is right here my wife will shoot me.
So... Any tips on break in.
Thanks for any info you can send my way
Mike

 

[ronjhall]

Run it at different speeds. But do not run it at full throttle until you have the first 50 hours on it. PTO speed for the mower should about 200 RPM's below full throttle.

 

[LarryD]

Yup, got mine home and started stacking manure, about 2k on the tach for the first hour. Then moved some small piles of stones at 1.8k for another hour. Tiller went to work the next day at 2.6K for over an hour and at 200 hours it's still runnin' strong. I've always been told they should be broke in like they'er gonna be used. I was careful about not lugging the engine during the first 50hrs.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Hi Guys

So... Any tips on break in.
Thanks for any info you can send my way
Mike

Mike, vary the speed when you can, check fluids, lubricate and use it for all your projects. Just enjoy the thing.

I bought a used NH TN70A. Obviously I had no control over how it was broken in. The TN runs great. "Don't worry, be happy".
Bob

 

[PineRidge]

Mike it's important that you give the initial oil at least 50 hours before changing it out. A little more time in this case is better than less hours because at this point the rings are seating-in. If you get some tricky oil in the engine (like a synthetic) to quickly then the rings might not have the opportunity to seat properly. That wouldn't be good.

 

[DieselMonk]

The first 50 hrs I didn't lug the engine at all, and after 10 hrs I used the the engline as I mormally would, but didn't lug it. After the 50 hrs, I changed the oild over to synthetic and she does not burn a drop of oil after 165hrs.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Hi Guys
I should have a new tractor within two weeks and was wondering about the proper break in period. So... Any tips on break in.
Mike

The NH Manual tells you to vary speed, don't overload, allow it to warm up before use, etc for the first 50 hours.
Have fun, read the NH manual, post pics.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

Mike it's important that you give the initial oil at least 50 hours before changing it out. A little more time in this case is better than less hours because at this point the rings are seating-in. If you get some tricky oil in the engine (like a synthetic) to quickly then the rings might not have the opportunity to seat properly. That wouldn't be good.

Wow, is this for real? I am coming up on 20 hours on my TC26DA and was going to do the first change at that point.. I know they recommend at 50 hours, but I never heard anyone say it was bad to do an extra one before.. I am a bit fanatical about oil changes, but it seemed a sesible thing to do..

 

[AndyMA]

I've always been told they should be broke in like they'er gonna be used. I was careful about not lugging the engine during the first 50hrs.

That's exactly what my dealer has always told me and that's what I do. I've never had a engine problem in any of the last 6 or 7 tractors I broke in this way. I'm not even that careful about not lugging them, just not for too long at a time.

Andy

 

[MiserableOldFart]

Ok.. Now, please understand, I'm posting this, not because I pretend to have any knowledge about such things, nor to put anyone else down for their comments.. but having been duly startled by the post saying it's not good to change oil before 50 hours, I emailed my three experts to see what they say.

My first expert is a Chrysler technician who has a good amount of knowledge about everthing that runs.

He is the only one to respond so far and he says that the rings should seat much sooner than 50 hours. He also says that he highly recommends the first oil change at 4 to 6 hours (!) which would mean I am way overdue.

While we're at it, can I throw one more variable into the mix: How about using synthetic oil in these diesels? After asking around, I am leaning toward "no" because, from what I have read, and again, I do not pretend to be an expert, this type of oil is particularly well suited to small, high reving engines like small car engines and motorcycles. My old Honda CX 500 redlines at like 9,500 rpm or so, as I remember, and for something like that the synthetic would make more sense.

On this question, I have already asked my panel, and they voted 2-1 against synthetic, but one of the votes was a very slight feeling that at these rpm's it just doesn't make much difference.

I am not trying to stir controversy, just trying to see what the consensus is..