Break in period
- Thread starter dirkster
- Start date
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bp fick
Super Member
First, congrats on the new machine!!! Good for you. That's a great model. I know you are going to enjoy it. Please post some pics when it comes. We want to see a dozen photos of it.
Every new owner wonders if there should be a whole lot of tender or gentle use involved. To be sure, you'll baby it a little, but gosh, you are going to simple go about using it for the chores intended. Push snow, perhaps, next winter, mow, if that's what you're gonna do, till the garden, or whatever.
Warm it up, first. That's a must, of course, but then just go do the work you want. The variety of tasks provide the tractor a variety of rpm runs.
The only thing to avoid, for 40-50 hours of break-in, is to run the tractor at exactly the same RPM mowing for hours and hours. Don't want to do that. No need for WOT either.
Also, if you plan to use the 4WD a bunch, you might do what so many good dealers recommend and drop the sudt fluid in the front axle and replace it with a quality gear oil, like a semi-syn 75w-90. Just a thought.
Other than that, don't run it with the ROPS up into the header of your garage, easy does it on hills, keep your loaded bucket low, and have some fun.
Every new owner wonders if there should be a whole lot of tender or gentle use involved. To be sure, you'll baby it a little, but gosh, you are going to simple go about using it for the chores intended. Push snow, perhaps, next winter, mow, if that's what you're gonna do, till the garden, or whatever.
Warm it up, first. That's a must, of course, but then just go do the work you want. The variety of tasks provide the tractor a variety of rpm runs.
The only thing to avoid, for 40-50 hours of break-in, is to run the tractor at exactly the same RPM mowing for hours and hours. Don't want to do that. No need for WOT either.
Also, if you plan to use the 4WD a bunch, you might do what so many good dealers recommend and drop the sudt fluid in the front axle and replace it with a quality gear oil, like a semi-syn 75w-90. Just a thought.
Other than that, don't run it with the ROPS up into the header of your garage, easy does it on hills, keep your loaded bucket low, and have some fun.
JOHNTHOMAS
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2008
- Messages
- 7,719
- Location
- Somerset, Ky
- Tractor
- F2690 4WD RTV X1140 MX5400 HST ZD1211
BP forgot to tell you brakes going down hill aren't much so keep it in 4wd going down hill and wet grass going down hill can be a slippery eye opening experience. Have fun and enjoy, just be careful because a small mistake on a tractor can some times cause major pain.First, congrats on the new machine!!! Good for you. That's a great model. I know you are going to enjoy it. Please post some pics when it comes. We want to see a dozen photos of it.
Every new owner wonders if there should be a whole lot of tender or gentle use involved. To be sure, you'll baby it a little, but gosh, you are going to simple go about using it for the chores intended. Push snow, perhaps, next winter, mow, if that's what you're gonna do, till the garden, or whatever.
Warm it up, first. That's a must, of course, but then just go do the work you want. The variety of tasks provide the tractor a variety of rpm runs.
The only thing to avoid, for 40-50 hours of break-in, is to run the tractor at exactly the same RPM mowing for hours and hours. Don't want to do that. No need for WOT either.
Also, if you plan to use the 4WD a bunch, you might do what so many good dealers recommend and drop the sudt fluid in the front axle and replace it with a quality gear oil, like a semi-syn 75w-90. Just a thought.
Other than that, don't run it with the ROPS up into the header of your garage, easy does it on hills, keep your loaded bucket low, and have some fun.
TripleR
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 18,538
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M8540HDC, L5740HSTC, BX2200, BX2660, John Deere 425&1025R, Case, Massey Ferguson, Ford
What BP and John said, don't baby it and don't abuse it, just use it. Spend some time with your manual and get lots of seat time getting to know your tractor.
dex3361
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,551
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- N. of Charleston WV
- Tractor
- Kubota L4400-1 HST,FEL, 3x3 remotes, TNT. BX1500 54 mmm
Check all of the fluid levels. It is common for something to be overlooked. Might even be a good idea to do this before leaving the lot or before the delivery guy leaves. If you are on a slope keep the FEL low to the ground to prevent a rollover and wear your seat belt.
bp fick
Super Member
You can get it by the gallon at an AutoParts Store, WalMart, TSC, etc. Very affordable. Again, not a real big issue, especially if not in 4wd or heavy loader use, but just something to note. If and when you do change the front axle fluid, be sure to note the drawing in the manual. It will likely show two air vents, one on each side. Those release the air when draining/re-filling. Your manual will also state the amount. A gallon or two is typical.
gwdixon
Elite Member
Doing a search will bring up tons of information about break-in periods and procedures.
MW66
Silver Member
I think the break in period would be similar to any new engine. Vary RPM's, but don't let 'er rip at WOT. I remember when I bought my new Stihl 291 chainsaw from the dealer. It was over $500 and I asked him about the break in period for it. He came back with one of the best lines that I hadn't heard before. "Run it like you stole it!" :laughing: Yikes! Of course, I babied it like I plan to do with my new tractor when I finally purchase it in a few weeks. If you follow the OEM manual, you should be fine.
sailorman
Platinum Member
Dirkster, I bought the same model last July and couldn 't be happier unless I had a backhoe. My advice is simple. Enjoy it. Get to know it. And, if what you are about to do with the tractor doesn 't seem quite right or safe, take some extra time to think it through. That extra time has saved my bacon more times than I care to think about.
crashz
Elite Member
I can't believe that the most important new tractor item has not even been mentioned yet!
The first at thing you absolutely must do: get some pictures of it while its new and clean! Maybe a couple with you in the seat, a couple doing it's first task. Stuff like that.
Enjoy the new tractor, and stay safe!
The first at thing you absolutely must do: get some pictures of it while its new and clean! Maybe a couple with you in the seat, a couple doing it's first task. Stuff like that.
Enjoy the new tractor, and stay safe!
newbury
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
- Messages
- 14,845
- Location
- From Vt, in Va, retiring to MS
- Tractor
- Kubota's - B7610, M4700
After following discussions on "breaking" in new engines "run it like you stole it" is what is recommended after a brief break-in period for a lot of small engines, like racing motorcycles.
Many modern engines, unlike the '60's vintage I cut my teeth on, have very tight tolerances and seem to require seating rings etc.
Babying is not required and other than for the first few hours may be detrimental.
bp fick
Super Member
While I simply don't have the hard, grunt work to do all the time, I must say that my engine idles the quietest after being strained hard to pull a middle buster, or field cultivator for 40 minutes, at 85-90% of max RPM. In other words, it loves the resistance type work. Still breaking mine in too. I consider it takes a minimum of 75 hours to be considered broken in, really.
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