Loss of power in Deere 830?

paulinkansas · Jan 5, 2010

Deere 830, 35 hp, 3 cylinder diesel. Built in '74 and has around 2000 hours on it. Last week I used my tractor to clear snow off a parking lot. The temp was around 15 degrees. While driving the tractor to the parking lot, the engine didn't have enough power to in top gear to move. Normally when I drive on asphalt, I get the tractor moving in 6th or 7th gear then put it in top gear (8th gear). The engine bogged down and the speed fell. It seemed to struggle in 7th gear just to keep a steady speed. When I got home, I loosened each fuel line between the injector pump and the injectors. The rpm's dropped each time I loosened one of the lines, then they picked back up when I tightened it. The engine also seemed to smoke just a tiny bit, black smoke. But that could just be my paranoid imagination.

What could be causing the loss of power?

DJ54 · Jan 5, 2010

Sounds like it's starving for air... Check your air filter... If it was powdery snow, it may have pulled it into the filter and plugged it somewhat.

brin · Jan 5, 2010

Also check your fuel filter, I had the same loss of power driving down the road from our farm and it was my fuel filter...changed it out and all was fine.

dex3361 · Jan 5, 2010

You didnt mention if you put fuel conditioner in your fuel if not do so it could also be a little water or even starting to thicken up if the fuel is old or contaminated. I agree with changing the filter and checking the floe from the tank and to be safe blow (with compressed air) back into the tank. You will also have to bleed the fuel bowl, filter and maybe the injectors when done.

kennyd · Jan 5, 2010

As already suggested...change air and fuel filters and treat the fuel. Next step is a compression test.

jenkinsph · Jan 5, 2010

I agree with changing out the filters and bleeding any air from the system. After you have established the proper fuel flow, give it 15 to 30 minutes to clear up. This tractor is very silmilar to my 820, it should be able to take off in 8th gear and wind all the way past pto speed on asphalt. If not I suspect you may have compression problems. The great thing about these tractors is you do have a wet sleeved engine so it can be easily rebuilt like new.

Soundguy · Jan 6, 2010

any time I see a diesel tractor struggle / loose rpm when there is no other obvious reason, and it's not blowing smoke.. I think of fuel starvation.

soundguy