New tractor break in period for your pride and joy?

[1930]

Recently bought an L2501 tractor with a FEL and backhoe.

Instruction book clearly states that how I treat the tractor in its earliest hour will dictate how it treats me later in my life.

Im not sure what that means? I bought the tractor to work, I need the help clearing land, Ive been using a grapple and am not sure how I could possibly push the tractor any more than Ive already done but on the same token I havent done anything that I wouldnt expect the thing to do for me.

Anyone here care to comment on how exactly Kubota expected me to treat the tractor?

Cant help but wonder if maybe Im pushin it too hard? Im not sure what too hard is for a tractor and Id obviously like to have the tractor for a good many years faithfully serve me.

 

[Carl_NH]

What it means generally is vary the RPM's when using, don't run wide open throttle for long periods, don't lug or bog the engine down when doing work by running at a too low RPM. Seeing a puff of black smoke is OK under an intermittent load is OK

In other words, doing loader/grapple work vary your engine at 1500-2000 RPM, running your BH same thing, and if running a brush hog do it for an hour or so - not for 8 hours straight at 2500 PTO RPM.

Then check oil every use and change the oil and filter between 40-50 hours - I use Shell Rotella 10-40 - or any good diesel oil will do fine.

 

[diesel85]

^x2

We bought out BX, and I remember trying to keep the throttle at varying positions. Hardest part was mowing, because you need to run it at a good clip. How we combated that was by spending time in between doing other stuff. To the point of just driving it around the yard. People probably thought we were weird. LOL

At over 1600 hours now, and still working like new.

 

[BRMyers]

I'm trying to make sure I vary my RPMs by mowing different sections of the farm. I will mow one area for 30 minutes or so and then drive to another section and mow over there for 30 minutes. The traveling for 5 minutes helps change the RPM.

 

[oosik]

What Carl_NH says. My owners manual is much more specific. "Do not lug the engine - vary your rpms - do not run over one hour at a constant rpm - do not run at max rpm for over half an hour at any one time". "Either DIY or have routine maintenance performed on schedule". This is Kubota's recommendation for the first 50 hours on my 2009 M6040.

I've had my M6040 for ten years now. Still as good as new - except for a little dust & grease here and there.