The 50 Hour Service

JohniusMaximus · Oct 21, 2005

We put about 30 hours on our new 790 this summer preparing and planting the wildlife food plots. I know the suggested time for servicing the tractor is at 50 hours, and I've been told doing it around the 40 hours range is a good thing. However this tractor is going to get seasonal work. It was bought to maintain the property during the late summer/early fall and won't see much work in between. Is there anything wrong with servicing the tractor at about 35 hours instead of 40 or 50? By the time this machine gets more use next summer the hours will probably double and I don't want to go over the 50 hour mark before servicing it.

If I can dig up some work for it to do in order to get the hours up to 40-45 I will, but I just want to see what the deal is.

I love the machine, but I can't put hours on it when there's no work to be done. Thanks!

RoyJackson · Oct 21, 2005

I strongly suggest you wait until at least 50 hours. My 790 was origianlly sold in Feb 2003. It didn't get it's break in oil changed until Aug 2004.

Changing early isn't a particularly good thing...those rings need to seat.

ddivinia · Oct 21, 2005

I totally agree - leave the break in oil in it for the full 50 hours.

D.

brandon07 · Oct 21, 2005

My 990 is at 45 hours and I have about 10 more hours of work to do before I bring her to the house. It won't hurt it to go over the 50 hours just a tad will it?

JohniusMaximus · Oct 21, 2005

Thanks, guys. I'll hold off until at least 50 hours. Maybe I can do some extra mowing in the spring or something.

BillW50 · Oct 22, 2005

Roy

I have a new 4310 with 30 engine hours. I was just under seven hours when I bought it and since it was on the lot for some time, figured I'd change the oil as soon as I got it home. I now see that could be a problem after reading about the use of break-in oil (I used plus-50 on the change). What I think I should do now is change the oil again and put brek-in oil back in...for the rest of the break-in period. First, do you agree I should do this...? and second, (if in agreement) where is an on-line source for JD break-in oil? The local dealer does not stock it and the dealer I bought the tractor from is a two hour drive.

Any advice (from anyone) is welcome.
Thanks,
Bill

bigpete · Oct 22, 2005

John--the key is to use break in oil for the full 50-100 hours. You can certainly change the oil and replace it with fresh break-in oil at the hours you have and still ensure the rings seat properly. I had a similar situation and was told by JD techs that was the way to go. You can pick up break-in oil at you dealer. It is sold by the gallon or drum.

RoyJackson · Oct 22, 2005

Break in oil is just a straight weight (30w) non-detergent oil. I'm sure the JD dealer would have it...also, most any parts store.
Just a straight weight non-detergent oil rated for diesel engines.

bigpete · Oct 22, 2005

I guess you could save a few bucks, but why on a brand new $15 k tractor? I would spend the extra 10-spot and buy the JD break-in oil because it is under warranty. Since the machine is still in the break-in and warranty period, if there were any problems and you had used a non-specified oil you might find yourself in a short, one-sided warranty discussion. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Here a link to some info from JD Product Support: John Deere Break-in Oil

BillW50 · Oct 22, 2005

Thanks Guys

I checked the Frontier site and they are located in Canada. I'm located in Florida. Is there a source for break-in oil a little closer to home? I certainly don't want to have a warranty problem and want to stick with the JD break-in oil if possible.

If all else fails, I'll make the drive to Mariana and get it from the dealer I bougtht the tractor from (Sworinger-Lord). They seem to have just about everything...just a bit of a drive for me.

Thanks,
Bill

rvtech · Oct 22, 2005

I don't know what the brand is, but I'm certain Deere doesn't refine their own oil. It may be listed on the package. All their oil is probably packaged under the Deere label by the same company.

Non detergent was always the break in oil we preferred with all engines from the past. I'm not familiar with Yanmar diesels, but virtually all late model engines use newer technology in regards to pistons and rings. There are no new car, light truck, diesel truck or gas or diesel rv's using non detergent or break in oil any more to my knowledge.

In my opinion, varying engine speeds and load during break in and not idling the engine are the most important factors to seat rings. I wouldn't worry about the oil being changed as long as it is a good quality oil with proper ratings.

bigpete · Oct 22, 2005

Your Deere dealer should stock it. All four in my area have it on their shelves. Stick with your dealer's advice.

RoyJackson · Oct 23, 2005

"My 990 is at 45 hours and I have about 10 more hours of work to do before I bring her to the house. It won't hurt it to go over the 50 hours just a tad will it? "

Nope...when I broke the 790's engine in...I was told to wait at least 50 hours. I changed it at 60 hours.
I've got 90 hours on the tractor now. The engine pulls strong and no oil consumption. No smoke out of the ordinary either...

h20camper · Oct 24, 2005

Deere's break-in oil is a 10w30 weight and in the 1 gallon form is part number TY22041. Yanmar diesels do come shipped with break-in oil (at least the 2210's 3TNE74 does per Deere technical support). Many users on this form recommend running break-in oil for the first 100 hours (of course changing at a minimum of every 50 hours).

Ronster · Oct 24, 2005

The owner's manual on my 2520 says do not use break in oil, whever that is. It's interesting that I can't find any engine break in info in the manual. I plan on running the engine at about 2000-2500 rpm for the break in period, and then changing the oil with Shell Rotella.

RalphVa · Oct 24, 2005

I believe lots of manufacturers now use Mobil 1 as factory fill. I changed to Mobil 1 in my 4010 at 13 hours. That is about equivalent to around 500 miles on a car engine. That's enough.

My 4010 CERTAINLY did not have straight 30w in it for factory fill. That oil would be very detrimental on cold weather startup (tractor delivered in early November). The oil pump just won't start pumping that heavy an oil very quickly. The valve train could very well start smoking before oil got to it to replace what got ground away on startup.

Ralph

brandon07 · Oct 24, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks Guys

I checked the Frontier site and they are located in Canada. I'm located in Florida. Is there a source for break-in oil a little closer to home? I certainly don't want to have a warranty problem and want to stick with the JD break-in oil if possible.

If all else fails, I'll make the drive to Mariana and get it from the dealer I bougtht the tractor from (Sworinger-Lord). They seem to have just about everything...just a bit of a drive for me.

Thanks,
Bill )</font>
Bill I just bought my 990 from Swearingen-Lord Equipment. Buddy Lord is a great guy did you get to meet JD? What all did you get from them?

BillW50 · Oct 24, 2005

Brandon

I bought the tractor from Danny Swearingen. He's a great guy to deal with too. I have a 4310 with 300CX, Box blade, and 72" 7 Iron MMM. I've done a lot of heavy lifting with it already and it has performed great. I guess I got ahead of myself a bit and changed the oil too early not knowing about the specifics of break-in oil. I've decided to change over to break-in oil again which I have found in Pensacola (Beard Equpment). I'm in Fort Walton, so it's a bit of a drive to Marianna just for oil, but next time I'm in Marianna, I'm stocking up on supplies as Swearingen-Lord. Iv'e found them to be a great customer service oriented dealer. I found it puzzling that Wise Equipment in Crestview did not have any break in oil in stock and said if I wanted some, I'd have to order a whole case. What's with that?

Bill