How do they do it?

[knightrider955]

How do they do it?? Simple. Diesel engines turn much slower rpm's than gas engines. So they dont wear as fast which is why Semi trucks can go millions of miles. Gearing is key also. My 60 hp diesel tractor can pull more than my 300 hp suv. Tractor engines arent always working as hard as you think they are. Which is why there are so many other wearable parts on a tractor. It takes me a good hour to grease every grease fitting on my tractor. Good maintenance is important

 

[MBDiagMan]

Diesel engine life as opposed to gas engine life goes much further than the difference in engine speed.

To start with diesel fuel is an oil and as it burns in the diesel process it does not produce the same carbon as a gas engine. The carbon in a gas engine is abrasive, adding to engine wear.

Also, in carbureted gas engines, cold start requires use of a choke which introduces raw gas into the cylinder which washes oil off the cylinder walls contributing to rapid cylinder wear. This is the main reason for so much longer engine life in EFI gas engines.

Additionally due to compression ratios typically twice as high as gas engines, engine components must be built much stronger. This rigidity of components contributes to less engine wear.

All this said, I still agree with the oil change nature of this thread. I am an oil change fanatic. I always pull the drain plug when the engine is completely warmed up and let it drain overnight. Those last few drops are the gunkiest of what comes out. I have achieved very good engine life from my engines which have always had such frequent changes using my extreme method.

 

[RobertN]

That is key, even to gas. My old Farmall-A redlined at about 1600rpm. Those motors lasted forever. Same for a lot of those old gas engines in JD, AC ect.

Diesel though, use a lot less fuel, with less cubic inches. My old Kubota was 19hp, 60CI, my old Farmall was 22hp, 113CI.

How do they do it?? Simple. Diesel engines turn much slower rpm's than gas engines. So they dont wear as fast which is why Semi trucks can go millions of miles. Gearing is key also. My 60 hp diesel tractor can pull more than my 300 hp suv. Tractor engines arent always working as hard as you think they are. Which is why there are so many other wearable parts on a tractor. It takes me a good hour to grease every grease fitting on my tractor. Good maintenance is important

 

[jinman]

Well, Mr. Rogers would say, "It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood." The engines and transmissions we have in our equipment today are truly marvels of function and reliability. Diesels have been reliable for a long time as well as low rpm gasoline engines. When you think about it, 2500 rpm is very low compared to high rpm conventional engines and turbines. Superior materials, lubrication, and temperature control of critical bearing surfaces is surely responsible for long life. OTR trucks, ships, and airplanes are fascinating for their reliability. Perhaps the modern tractors and farm equipment should be included in that list. I can remember when cars were traded before 50k miles, but today's cars can routinely go 200k miles if maintained properly. The good ol' days are right now.:thumbsup:

 

[chopped]

and 300,000 in my case... and going .

 

[blueriver]

Anyway ya look at it ... its pretty darn impressive. I recall seeing a JD at auction with 8500 hours and it still purred like a kitty in a milk parlor... thinking of that wonder what the most recorded hours on a tractor are?

 

[knightrider955]

Those old Romanian tractors I hear are the most durable tractors ever built. The engine blocks on them are really thick and the cranks are huge. Designed to run forvever.

 

[Argosy]

A constant rpm is also helpful to a long engine life.

 

[wade simpson]

I spent the last few days as follows ... Thursday 9 hrs at 2500 rpm .. non stop cutting hay, Friday 7 hrs of non stop discing, Saturday 6 more hours of discing and today 7 hrs running the baler ... all this at 2500 rpm with very few idle down times ... Got me to thinking about the importance of oil, trans/hydraulic fliud.

Just how do these machines endure this and some of them for several thousand hrs ....???

I used to be in the navy and one boat I sailed on was diesel electric (3 diesels). We went to the arctic one summer and 2 motors were always running. We were there for almost 2 months. I understand your amazement

 

[Duffster]

A constant rpm is also helpful to a long engine life.

Why is that? It would seem to go against what I have been taught.