New tractor break in

[tmshort]

I've searched but not found anything ... nothing in the manual, either.

May be a moot point, as I've already got 5+ hours on the tractor, but is there any specific process recommended for break in? I have a new 2520...

Will post pics, etc later - too busy using it!

I know some do an oil change at 10 hours; how about hydraulic fluid? Based on the metal in my brother's 2320 when we changed his at 100h, I'm wondering if doing a swap out at 10 might not be a bad idea.

Thanks

T.

 

[lost in wisconsin]

I am with T. on this one. Also have a 2520 with 5 hours on it. Anxious to hear experiences of others. I have heard/read everything from 'run it like you stole it' to don't let it idle for more than 5 minutes at a time. But have not found one solid source for the proper procedure.


Thanks,
lost

 

[boomer1025]

Not much to breaking in, I think on my Boomer I ran it at various rpm's for the first 25 hrs or so. I'd run it at full throttle when mowing the grass for a while, then back it down several 100 rpm's, then maybe back up to full throttle ect. Just don't lug the engine down if you can help it. Tractors are made to work, don't be afraid to use the throttle because it's new. On mine I did a complete sevice (all filters & fluids changed at around 50 hrs). Then the engine oil gets changed every 100 hrs or every fall, which ever comes first.

 

[WilliamBos]

To add to what boomer posted, try not to let it idle for too long, not real good for break in.

 

[glc24]

I know some do an oil change at 10 hours;

Maybe if all ten hours were in a dust storm,other than that under normal conditions,totally unnecessary.
On a new machine 50 hours is normally your first maintenance.

I have heard/read everything from 'run it like you stole it' to don't let it idle for more than 5 minutes at a time.

Common sense plays a big part here,and as William Bos stated also,you don't let it idle for very long.

Based on the metal in my brother's 2320

T,are you talking about this? This is after 48 hours and is perfectly normal.

Greg

 

[WilliamBos]

Maybe if all ten hours were in a dust storm,other than that under normal conditions,totally unnecessary.
On a new machine 50 hours is normally your first maintenance.

Common sense plays a big part here,and as William Bros stated also,you don't let it idle for very long.

T,are you talking about this? This is after 48 hours and is perfectly normal.

Greg

Greg,

Can you wash that element, or did you replace it??

 

[mdelmarcelle]

I recently purchased a new Kubota (M7040). The manual indicated to not run it at full throttle for the first 50 hours. I think it indicated to vary the speed as well, and in cold weather, allow it to warm up. The last part on letting it warm up would apply even to a tractor that has been broken-in. Unless you're beating the absolute **** out of it, I doubt you'd do any damage. But I've read a number of posts on this forum, and the typical break in service is usually around 50 to 100 hours, not 10. If you did 10, I'd still do one around 50 to 100 as I'm guessing it can take that long to completely break everything in. And changing hydraulic fluid can be somewhat expensive due to the quantities involved. So, changing it at 10 hours and again just a bit later can be expensive. Best of luck with the new tractor!

 

[dex3361]

I would check all the fluids(antifreeze, front axle lubricant, hydraulic fluid) and run it at varying speeds but do work it some under a load it helps to seat the rings on a diesel working it under a load. I would not max out the RPM at first I would keep it bumped back a few 100 RPM. I mention the fluid levels because it seems as though the fluid finds the cavities and low spots and ends up at low level after running a few hours.

 

[tmshort]

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like what I've been doing has been OK.

Greg- That's what I'm referring to, although his had nowhere near that much metal...

 

[kuboman]

A proper warm up is a good idea. Excessive idling (20+ min) for the first few hours is a really bad idea. Some varying of rpm is alright but not critical. A varying load on the engine is far more critical than the rpm. Don't be afraid to work it after the first hour or 2. Mostly just run it like you normally would.
The only time I have seen a bad break in is when a new engine was idled for hours. Turned into a oil user. And yes change the oil at 50 hrs although JD recommends 100 on their larger engines. If JD uses breakin oil in it be sure to keep using the break in oil till the rings have seated enough so there is no oil consumption. Just remember that clean oil never hurt anything.:thumbsup:

 

[Bigfoot62]

My new 5M manual shows first oil change at 100 hours. Mine had about 140 on it before I was able to stop long enough to do the service.

As far as how I've worked it, I've worked it. Brush-hogging, pulling a 8-shank subsoil plow, discing, cutting and baling hay, loaded 62 tons of ag lime into a spreader truck, moved dirt, piled limbs and trees, etc.

I don't abuse my equipment, but I definitely use it.

 

[glc24]

Greg,

Can you wash that element, or did you replace it??

This type of element is meant to be cleaned and reused. I should have taken a pic of it cleaned,it looked brand new again.

Greg

 

[JD3520Turbo]

my tractor says to use it normally, and check the oil often in the first 100 hours, because it could use some oil while the rings are seating. Said to use breakin oil for the first 100 hours and do not idle it. So I set my throttle to 1200 rpm, so it never idles. If you change it before 100 hours, it said to put breakin oil back in it.

I took my tractor last week to the farm and bush hogged 60 acres of pasture, and it had 3hours on the clock when I rolled it off the trailer. Ran it at 2500 rpms for hours.

 

[lost in wisconsin]

Thanks for all the input. Long idling seems to be the large no-no. I also have been varying operating rpm and not placing too heavy of a load on the engine.

Thanks again,
lost

 

[glc24]

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like what I've been doing has been OK.

Greg- That's what I'm referring to, although his had nowhere near that much metal...

Believe it or not,my screen had very minimal metal shavings,compared to some that I have seen after 50 hours.
Don't forget this is breakin on friction parts too,so you will see this type of wear for the first 50 or so hours.

Greg

 

[MWRR]

My dealer told me to run it like i stole it. He also said to not let it idle for long periods.

 

[bz1]

I've designed stuff like engines and hydraulics for years. I've had good luck with all kinds of engines by breaking them in with normal use, including some hard work. My two cents is just like many of you said, run it just like you would normally use it except don't leave it at the same RPM for long periods, either idle or high speeds. The reason you want to run it at all normal speeds is to seat the rings and bearings. This should include normal high RPM and high load running too. This is because the pistons and rings actually turn from round to oval at high RPM. If you baby the machine you will never get things seated because the pistions will never take their high speed shape. The worst thing you can do is go easy on it during break in.