3 hrs on new machine, go mow 3 acres?

[jbrumberg]

montejw:

I mowed my lower 7A's with my old Ford 1100 prior to my upgrade so I did not have to worry about tractor breakin brushhogging. I did my "breakin period" (not much of a breakin) pulling out some logs, saplings, and then moving snow. I did vary the RPM's somewhat during my extended breakin period. I would think that varying your RPMs during mowing would meet the need and it would be interesting to see how the "cut" was affected by the varying RPM speeds. I would not worry about it like others have said. Enjoy your seat time and helping your neighbors. Watch out where you are going and your mower during turns! Tractors are not like cars. Jay

 

[Champy]

On my brand new JD990 the Dealer recommended running all out at 2700 rpm straight off for however long I needed to......... Their opinion is that by babying the engine, the seals, rings, etc... are not properly seated and that going at rated levels does this which ultimately is better in the long run for your CUT. They noted that most of their call backs on new tractors is for excessive smoking, etc.... which would be avoided by proper run-ins versus the baby-it approach.

 

[montejw]

Thanks all. I ended up mowing 2 fields, about 6 acres maybe. Some of the grass was a bit tall for the flail mower, think I need a new pto shaft? Seems the TC30 has a few more horses than the AC5020.

 

[EddieWalker]

The way it's twisted, I think you need some better sheer pins.

Is it still straight? If it's still straight, keep using it. No point buying a new one until you have to. If it's not straight, you got no choice.

Eddie

 

[RoyJackson]

The way it's twisted, I think you need some better sheer pins.

Is it still straight? If it's still straight, keep using it. No point buying a new one until you have to. If it's not straight, you got no choice.

Eddie

I don't think that's a good idea. Those shafts are two piece to allow some lengthening and shortening during use. Unless the ground is perfectly flat, that shaft isn't going to work.
Since it can't "move", the loads may transmit to the implement or the tractor which could result in more costly damage.

 

[EddieWalker]

Roy,

Good point, I didn't think about the movement of the shafts inside of each other. Guess it's scrap metal now.

Eddie

 

[Jay4200]

I just don't want to mess up the break-in, it's pretty important.

Here's something I think is very interesting regarding engine break-in.

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

Long story short - beat the snot out of it.

JayC

 

[montejw]

The way it's twisted, I think you need some better sheer pins.

Is it still straight? If it's still straight, keep using it. No point buying a new one until you have to. If it's not straight, you got no choice.

Eddie

Shear pins? We don't need no stinkin' shear pins!

I finished the job, have an idea it twisted early on as I had the mower set way too low. It worked for another 3-4 hours is my guess, didn't notice anything out of the norm until I got home.

 

[montejw]

I don't think that's a good idea. Those shafts are two piece to allow some lengthening and shortening during use. Unless the ground is perfectly flat, that shaft isn't going to work.
Since it can't "move", the loads may transmit to the implement or the tractor which could result in more costly damage.

Since the inner section is solid 1" bar I'm pretty sure it twisted beyond the end of that section. I never noticed any binding, and like I told EW I think it went very early in the job. I will be looking for a new one though.

 

[madpogue]

If the inner and the outer shafts twisted at the same time/rate, they _might_ still telescope, no? Easy enough to find out. Just make sure the telescoping part is "good-n-greeeazy". _Might_ work until you can replace it, anyway.

Actually, you need a "worse" shear pin; well, a weaker one, anyway. Grade 2 bolt, right?

Hmm, we just took delivery on our JD 790. Half an hour on the clock on delivery. A few tenths just putzin' around getting used to it, but then we put 'er right to work (5' King Kutter, 20 acres). Dealer didn't recommend "babying" it at all. I was slowing the throttle here and there, just because I was getting used to it. The only "break-in" is an oil/filter change at 100 hours.