Did I screw up?

ArkCivEngr · Jun 16, 2005

There was a post here recently about oil types listed in a owner's manual (think it was a 2210), and someone in there mentioned "break-in oil" and that it was necessary to leave that oil in the entire first 50 hours.

Of course, I read this AFTER changing the oil (and filter) in my X495 at 33.1 hours. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It looked pretty dirty.

Did I screw up? If so, why didn't the owner's manual mention it? True, it did say to perform the first oil/filter change at 50 hours, but it did NOT say not to do it before that. Also, is there such a thing as "break-in oil" that the dealership uses on a new machine that's different from the PLUS-50 15W-40 that I put in it? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I remember the GX335 I had previously called for an oil/filter change at 5 hours. I know a diesel is a whole different ballgame than gas, but that seems a bit much.

Or am I just insane? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · Jun 16, 2005

DON'T worry about it, changing it a few hours early is not a problem. Also, as for the condition of the oil, oil in a diesel engine typically comes out very black and dirty looking after it has been run through the engine, it is the nature of the beast.

beenthere · Jun 16, 2005

I think the tractors are delivered with oil in them, and therefore the dealers don't put any in. Also, don't think it is break-in oil, but just oil. The weight put in may be lighter, but don't think it is necessary to worry at all about it. Only thing, is to make sure to check its level, just in case something is going wrong early in the 'break-in'. As far as timing, I would wager the 50 hrs is just an estimate, and nothing very hard and true and calculated to mean much other than 'get'r'dun'. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

bigpete · Jun 16, 2005

I wouldn't worry at 30+ hours. It really is "Break-in" oil. There is a JD part number for it. It goes in the Yanmars at the assembly plant. It is just a light 30-weight oil without detergents or additives. They use it because it actually does promote healthy friction for seating of the rings. If you ran your first 30 hours at a variety of RPMs and didn't baby it too much, you should be good to go.

timb · Jun 17, 2005

If you want peace of mind you could always change the oil again, soon, and put the break-in oil back in. (It's available at your Dealer).

Also - many people don't push their new tractors all that hard - and they may not be truely broken in even at 50 hours.

Along those lines, (not sure about the X485) Deere not only recommends having break-in oil in there for the whole 50 hours on the compacts - I've seen several suggestions posted that if you don't work the tractor hard enough in the first 50 hours - it may not be a bad idea to use break-in oil for the next 50 hours as well and only change over to 'regular' oil at 100 hours.

My opinion (and that's all it is) while you didn't do anything really "wrong", for what you paid for that first class machine, and for as long as it could last with good maintenance - for the price of an oil/filter change, I'd switch back to the break-in oil and maybe run it another 30-40 hours on that. But that's me and I tend to be a little an.. um "over-protective" of stuff, at least when it's new. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

JerryG · Jun 17, 2005

Tim hit it on the need for break in oil. The break in oil is like a insurance policy for JD. With more and more people buying tractors that don't actually work them, JD uses break in oil so that rings seat even if the tractor is just idled around and not worked. That way they don't have to do warranty work for a unbroken in smoking motor. Take it out and work it and you will be fine.

ArkCivEngr · Jun 17, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you ran your first 30 hours at a variety of RPMs and didn't baby it too much, you should be good to go. )</font>

I should be good to go then. The first 10-15 hours was spent hauling 8' pine logs, firewood and brush on a 4'x8' trailer, and those loads were HEAVY. And I've mowed my 5 acres about 5 times now.

calmis00 · Jun 18, 2005

Does anyone have John Deere's part number for the break-in oil?

bigpete · Jun 18, 2005

Here's an old thread I started after I bought my 2210 a couple years ago. Scroll down a ways to where I posted part details:

Break-in Oil

h20camper · Jun 20, 2005

JD Break In oil is available in 1 gallon, 5 gallon & 55 gallon (no quart) sizes. Part number for 1 gallon is TY22041 (~$12.00). I bought the 1 gallon size and changed my 2210 at 25 & 50 hours. Many posts recommended running break in longer than 50 hours. I ran it to 75 and now use Plus 50.