How to break in a new Kubota MX5200

[grclark50]

I have a new MX 5200 and have about 5 hrs on it. Seems to make a loud growling noise when I put pressure on the transmission. Is this normal and is their a proper way to break in a new engine. I was told by the dealer to just use it.

Thanks
grc

 

[art]

I wonder if the loud growling noise might be from straining the hydro at to low of an rpm. You did not say if it was a gear or hydro so I'm only assuming. At 5 hours I'd be using it the way I'd run it the rest of it's life.

 

[grclark50]

Thanks for the reply, my machine is a MX5200 HST.
grc

 

[Gary Fowler]

You should keep at least 1500 RPM on the engine when engaging the HST. My B26 runs best at 2000 RPM- plenty of power but much lower engine noise than at PTO speed (2600 RPM). I cant recall hearing any growling noise though even at 1000 idle speed if I want to move the tractor just a few feet.
Check all the fluid levels and if OK, just use it and hope if something is wrong it breaks prior to warranty running out.

You may want to consult with your dealer. Maybe make a short movie with your smart phone to show the dealer so he can also hear the noise it is making. He may want to have it brought in so he can work on it.

 

[ATP]

What Gary Fowler said and vary your RPM's some during the first many hours and vary the loads... not always heavy loads... this and 50c get you a senior coffee...

 

[wcampbell47]

I recently purchased an L3901 with HST. I traded in a B3200 HST. I was hoping to get away from the HST growl as one or two of the 39's I demo'd did not seem to growl, but that was at low RPM. Both tractors perform best (IMHO) at 1800 to 2000. I have resorted to wearing ear protection with a built in radio. Otherwise love the tractor. I just used the B3200 when bought new. At 1200 hours no oil leaks, still had power ... a great little unit. My projects have become larger so a larger tractor was in order. So far am very happy with FEL performance and PTO power.

 

[k0ua]

I have never heard anything I would call a "growling noise" coming from a hydrostatic transmission... I would be very concerned if I did. Now that said, Hydrostatic transmissions whine. The smaller the tractor the worse the whine. The higher the gear range you are in and when you load the tractor the louder the whine and the poorer the performance.

You do not do work in HI range, only LO and MED ranges. LO range when you need maximum torque and less speed, MED when you need Medium torque and more speed. As an example when pushing over a tree, LO range. When needing to move some distance with a bucket full of materiel, Medium range.
Mowing could be either LO or MED, depending on the terrain and how fast you can move without shaking your kidneys out of your body. HI range is ONLY for transporting the tractor unloaded from place to place, preferably on flat ground. If you can get away with transporting your tractor in HI with a heavy load on it, good for you, Some tractors have more horsepower and torque than others.

But in general if you will follow the guidelines I have outlined for most CUTS or SCUTS you will have less whine, less going into the relief valve on the hydro, and a happier experience. I would be interested in you posting a You-tube video with good sound, to hear what you are hearing. But to me a "growl" is a low frequency sound, and a "whine" is a high frequency sound.

 

[nybirdman]

Medium range should work for most if not all work.High for transport only.Most new HST owners(me included) think more pedal is more power(opposite is true).LESS pedal is more power and less noise in any range.
Both my HST purchased new were a little noisy when new;mostly goes away after some break-in.

 

[grclark50]

Thanks to all for the feedback on my question. Apparently the growling noise I described is actually the whining of the hydro. My previous tractors did not have this noise. I did have the dealer come out and he said the noise is normal however I may have operating at too low rpm. He did say that changing the HDT to Super hydraulic would make a difference because it is thinner oil. When I change oil I may give it a try. Like one of the posts above I did try out the 5200, 4800 with no noise however no load either.

Thanks for the input, it looks like the noise is normal.

grc

 

[Mikejeakins]

What kind of Attachments did you get?