Breaking In A New Diesel Engine....

[Utopia Texas]

I have less than 10 hours on a NH 3050 and all my projects lately have been minor brush clean up where I do not need to run the engine over 1500 rpm. Is there any harm during the break in period running this slow or should I drop into a lower range where the engine rpm's run higher sometimes? Thanks....

 

[Recoveryhill]

My belief is that rpm's should be varied during break-in and high rpm's should be avoided. 1500/2000 is a nice easy revolution for a new engine. Would I hesitate to go to PTO rpm's after ten hours? No, but I wouldn't work a machine at that speed all day long either, until I hit a 50 hour oil/filter change.

 

[MHarryE]

Interesting. My engineering career involved three products - grain combines, vibratory compactors and mills - the machines that mill asphalt roadways. All run at two speeds, low idle or full throttle. The compactors use the full range of engines used in tractors from CUT to medium size ag (175 HP). Running at less than full speed a combine will not separate the wheat from the chaff and the vibratory compactor will be a Flintstonemobile. Life problems from running full speed high power from the start- zilch. Problem running constant speed - zilch. Expected life - 10,000 hours to first overhaul except for the smaller compactors where it is 5,000 hours and the large mills where we're talking 30,000 hours. Think about other uses for Diesel engines like gen sets where they need to produce 60 Hz AC from the start. Taking it easy at the start of a tractor - no problem, but if they require a specific break-in prior to doing the job for which it is intended they should do it before it is delivered.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I got my 3005 with 1.8 hours on it... aka new from the dealer. I took it easy for the first few hours but then WOT with the brush hog. Did the 50 hour oil change today @ 54.2 hrs. I'm not too worried... run it how you plan to run it.

 

[bigbull338]

what they are referring to as easy break in is not running the motor well over 2000rpms.i work my tractor at 1500 to 2000 rpms.

 

[kevin37b]

WOT ' seat the rings best break in these engines .

 

[bigtiller]

Harry is right on, run it like you rented it.

 

[TripleR]

Always lots of opinions on break-in no matter the engine. I am neither an engineer or mechanic, so I just go with the manual which has worked well for me so far. I've found I can do pretty much everything I need to do and stay pretty darned close to the manual.

 

[hawkeye08]

I don't abuse my tractor and have never abused rental equipment.... manuals are good guidelines but are often written to reduce liability for the vendor (notice the pages of warnings and cautions and stop signs?)...

 

[Gary Fowler]

IIRC my tractor manual said to run it at full load and vary the throttle setting from mid range to WOT. Nothing worse on a diesel than to run it at 1500 RPM during break in and none to very light load. Loading it helps to seat everything in and prevent later problems with oil consumption. Large Ag tractors are typically demonstrated using largest equipment that they can pull at WOT, that is what they are designed to do so it doesn't hurt the engine to run that speed from the get go as long as you let it warm up first after starting.

 

[DieselMonk]

WOT, just dong lug it the 50hrs.

 

[jinman]

No matter what I believe, New Holland has provided instructions and that's what you should do to keep your warranty in place.

BREAK-IN PROCEDURES
Your New Holland tractor will provide long and dependable service if given proper care during the first 50-hour break-in period. During the first 50 hours of operation:

1. Avoid "lugging" the engine. Operating in too high a gear under heavy load may cause engine lugging, which is indicated when the engine will not respond to a throttle increase.

2. Use the lower gear ratios when pulling heavy loads and avoid continuous operation at constant engine speeds. You will save fuel and minimize engine wear by selecting the correct gear ratio for a particular operation. Operating the tractor in low gear with a light load and high engine speed wastes fuel.

3. Avoid prolonged operation at either high or low engine speeds without a load on the engine.

4. Check the instruments frequently and keep the radiator and oil reservoirs filled to the recommended levels. Daily checks include the engine oil level, radiator coolant, and air cleaner.

That's it. This is directly from my operator's manual and the warranty states that the tractor must be operated in accordance with instructions. No matter what I think, I'd never recommend anything else. I would read and memorize the major parts of those instructions and "regurgitate" them as closely as possible if I was ever asked by the dealer or service department about my operation.

 

[redman135]

what does "wot" stand for?
I drive for an agricultural contractor. Policy is to work the tractor hard (see manual) for the run in period, as you are setting the tractor up for life.

 

[redman135]

what does "wot" stand for?
I drive for an agricultural contractor. Policy is to work the tractor hard (see manual) for the run in period, as you are setting the tractor up for life.

 

[banjodunn]

G'day WOT is wide open throttle as far as running it in I have always run in as I am going to use it and I dont free rev an engine to govenor nor do I like it to lug for too long there is a difference between lugging and working hard.


Jon

 

[bigbull338]

ive got a friend that always ran his tractors pretty much wide open.ive never seen the sense in running a tractor like that.only run the rpms needed todo a job.

 

[RalphVa]

I think you're better to run them normally, just not for a long period at a fixed rpm. We're not talking about high speeds here on a tractor. My VW TDI revs to 5,000 rpm. No sweat. Don't see any problem in doing do early on, as long as it is brief and not held there. That's what we did on our TDI, and that's what I did on my 4010 and what I'm doing on the 1025.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

One breakin problem I've experienced is on our diesel generator. The manual says not to operate it for very long at high load until it gets 50 hours. Heck, it may take us 3 years to get to that # hours. Near a year now, and the hour meter reads 14.6. I've concluded that it's best to just use it normally. A generator, by nature, will see a widely varying load. That should break it in nicely.

This Isuzu seems a little jewel. Can't tell its a diesel by sound. At 14.6 hours, the oil still is crystal clear on the dipstick. Fuel usage over 14.6 hours was 2.5 gallons. It's 12.5 kw. Normal, average, kw usage on the house is about 1 to 2 kw. I figured its fuel usage would be about 0.2 gph from the fuel usage charts. It's been less than that.

Ralph

 

[RoyJackson]

Always lots of opinions on break-in no matter the engine. I am neither an engineer or mechanic, so I just go with the manual which has worked well for me so far. I've found I can do pretty much everything I need to do and stay pretty darned close to the manual.

THIS is the correct answer!!