New Kubota with DPF Filter

[Oldoak]

I can't speak from personal experience but from what I read, apparently people are having mixed performances with these regen systems. I don't think it was necessary to mandate such pollution controls on these "tractors". Why was it only on a specific slot size for tractors? Above and below their horse power rage were exempt. :confused3:

 

[scdeerslayer]

Above wasn't exempt, but were required to start earlier.

 

[rich bx]

My skid steer and my small tractor have the DPF on them. No problems so far but I really don't see how these are more beneficial to the environment. I run those machines at a higher RPM to try and limit the soot build up which burns more fuel. And then the regeneration process burns more fuel to clear out the soot. Seems like burning more fuel would be worse for the environment to me. Plus it is annoying if the regeneration cycle comes on right at about the time you are done with your job and then you have to stay on the machine for an extra ten minutes just to go through the process. And burn more fuel!

I'm thinking you may have an abundance of common sense, so engineering pollution mitigation technology may not be your bag man. (hoping you can read the sarcasm in my text.) :sarcastic:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

L3901 had 49 hours before or after I mowed for a couple hours today. If it has regened I don't/didn't know it. I let it idle very briefly for under a minute then rev it up a bit for a minute and then I set it on the 540 pto speed and go with no exceptions. So, how do I feel about the DPF stuff? What DPF stuff?

 

[sandman2234]

No experience with DPF on tractors, but with trucks... too much! I work for a school and we almost NEVER get our trucks up to road speed and keep them there for a couple of hours, which is what it takes for the truck to automatically clean the filter. So we end up doing "parked regen's" and invariable end up having more and more trouble with the trucks. I don't envy you guys with DPF systems on the tractors!
David from jax
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[JOHNTHOMAS]

No experience with DPF on tractors, but with trucks... too much! I work for a school and we almost NEVER get our trucks up to road speed and keep them there for a couple of hours, which is what it takes for the truck to automatically clean the filter. So we end up doing "parked regen's" and invariable end up having more and more trouble with the trucks. I don't envy you guys with DPF systems on the tractors!
David from jax
:

Did you read your post before hitting the enter button? You talk about TRUCKS which seldom if ever are ran like tractors which, if ran properly, are ran almost full out almost all the time. Trucks usually proceed by increasing the engine speed and HST tractors are ran with engine ran up to near full speed then the speed is determined by the transmission with foot pedal pressed. I've never operated my tractors like I operate my trucks and the only comparison between the two is four wheels, a steering wheel and and engine of some type.

 

[DK35vince]

The only experience I have with the DPF teir 4 stuff is some of the newer equipment at work.
We have a 2017 asphalt paver with a Kubota diesel. A Dodge pickup with the Cummins. 2012 Mack Pinnacle truck ($700 repair) and a 2015 Case skid steer.
All 4 have been back to the dealer THIS YEAR for pollution control system issues.
4 for 4 with issues.

 

[runner420]

I have a M5-111 which is at a Kubota shop now for a DEF warning light coming on. No news on the cause at this time. What is the sufficient RPM to minimize regen issues? The tractor engine horsepower is rated at an RPM at 2600 of which I do not even get close to. I usually run around 1900-2000 RPM.

 

[sunnyside360]

I have a M5-111 which is at a Kubota shop now for a DEF warning light coming on. No news on the cause at this time. What is the sufficient RPM to minimize regen issues? The tractor engine horsepower is rated at an RPM at 2600 of which I do not even get close to. I usually run around 1900-2000 RPM.

Can't answer your question about the M5 but the lead tech at my dealer told me to run the ZD 1511 at max rpm's to minimize DPF filter issues.
I have a 2011 Kubota M110X tractor built just prior to Tier 4 cut-in and I almost never run it at max rpm's. Can't see ever trading it for a newer tier 4 tractor. Hope it's nothing serious with your M5. Hopefully the warranty will cover the cost.

 

[RickB]

No experience with DPF on tractors, but with trucks... too much! I work for a school and we almost NEVER get our trucks up to road speed and keep them there for a couple of hours, which is what it takes for the truck to automatically clean the filter. So we end up doing "parked regen's" and invariable end up having more and more trouble with the trucks. I don't envy you guys with DPF systems on the tractors!
David from jax
:

Did you read your post before hitting the enter button? You talk about TRUCKS which seldom if ever are ran like tractors which, if ran properly, are ran almost full out almost all the time. Trucks usually proceed by increasing the engine speed and HST tractors are ran with engine ran up to near full speed then the speed is determined by the transmission with foot pedal pressed. I've never operated my tractors like I operate my trucks and the only comparison between the two is four wheels, a steering wheel and and engine of some type.

I read his post and it makes perfect sense to me. As a dealership service coordinator I see DPF system complaints and symptoms all too often. The comment about running times and operating temperatures are spot on. The vast majority of problems are related to short run times, low operating temps and operating engines at too low RPM. Getting operators to run these machines the way DPF systems demand is a major challenge.