What's the expected glow plug life on B7610?

newbury · Feb 8, 2012

I've got an '07 B7610 w/ only 300 hrs on it and am wondering what I should expect for the life of the glow plugs and controller. If I need to do the job I'd like to work on it this spring or fall. Last time I fired it up it worked fine. Does anyone have any guesses?

I've also have a Sato 670D 4wd of indeterminate, but old age, a 1988 Ford Diesel Maxivan, a 2002 Ford F350 DRW diesel, and a 2009 VW JSW TDI.

The '88 Ford needs plugs this summer (for the second time), I expect the 2002 Ford will need plugs soon (within a few years at least), and the Sato 670D probably needs plugs.

I searched and found http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/193156-re-glow-plug-life.html, but few other mentions of plug life.

OrangeRidge · Feb 8, 2012

Glow plugs should last longer if they're heated less . There's no way
to know if the ceramic will fail , but a shorter heating time is better
than cooking them . At 40f , 5-7 seconds should be all you need.
At 60-70f , 3 or 4 seconds. If the cylinder compression rate is poor ,
then more time is needed to kick it along. There are Youtube videos
of glow-plugs being heated ; take a look. They go hot really fast !

rbargeron · Feb 9, 2012

Glow plugs usually last a long time. When they do act up it's usually just one, not all of them. The switch, timer, relays etc. act up now and then. None of it is regularly replaced as preventive maintenance.

workinallthetime · Feb 9, 2012

cant give you an exact hour and i dont think there is one to be honest. if your in texas they might last the life of the tractor but if your in alaska they may only last 500 hours. the onle thing i have seen that tears up glow plugs quick on trucks is a wet cylinder due to oil or fuel. when the glow plugs get wet and then heat up it really seems to shorten the life.
hope that helps

cdaledave89 · Feb 10, 2012

I'm nearing 600 hours on my '04 B7610 and no problems with the glow plugs yet. I have noticed that it seems to be cranking a little slower in cold weather so I'm thinking that I'm about due for a new battery.