A couple of things that may have been overlooked concerning regenerations and a DPF. First, many manufacturers of engines = many methods of regeneration.
Second, choosing the right fuel is key on many of the DPF equipped tractors. A blend of not more than 10% biodiesel should be used, many truck stops sell 20% biodiesel.
Third is choosing the right oil. Each manufacturer has specs on their oil and that spec should be followed or exceeded. Many of our favorite oils do not meet the spec and create additional ash in the DPF. If you know how a DPF works, ash will decrease the life. A DPF is designed to burn soot.
Idling has been covered, so no need to beat the dead horse.
Most manufacturers of common rail systems use either Bosch or Denso fuel injection. Failures do occur, but they are pretty darn good. When controlled by the ECU, many manufacturers have multiple methods of regeneration. Some are done on a time basis, example would be at the first 50 hours and then every 100 after that. Nearly all detect differential pressure, a bad sensor could cause excessive regeneration. Some use a calculated method, measuring the fuel burnt, time, differential, and temperature. Some use all of these methods. The technology has gotten better but is a long way from perfect.
Someone stated earlier that there wasn't an intake throttle on diesels. This would be incorrect as some have either an intake throttle, exhaust throttle, or both to create a load on the tractor when differential pressures increase.
Someone else stated something about fuel economy. While most DPF equipped tractors use fuel in an after injection to create heat while regenerating, the increases in fuel efficiency due to electronically controlled fuel systems will more than make up for that. DPF equipped vehicles are as efficient or more efficient than comparable vehicles.
Just my thoughts and observations.