Diesel Break-in
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cowboydoc
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2000
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- Tractor
- JD 8320 MFWD, JD 6415 MFWD, FEL, and cab, John Deere MFWD 4600, John Deere 4020, John Deere 4430, John Deere 455 mower, Deutz, and Gehl 4610 perkins skidsteer
As long as you can run it for long periods of time, no or little idling, and can put a load on it you will be fine. The biggest thing you don't want to do with a new diesel is idle it and run it at constant idle for very long.
HEC
Veteran Member
Cowboydoc hit the nail right on the head.My first new diesel tractor I didn't put enough load on it and after 100 hrs. or so it was still burning oil.My dealer called the manufacturer and told him the problem and he said take it out and work it as hard you can.I did and it never burned anymore oil and ran fine.I didn't lug the eng. but I put a heavy load on it to finally get it broke in.I was way to easy on it at first but lucky for me it turned out ok.
Good Luck
Good Luck
redlevel
Gold Member
On the farm we always put 'em in the field doing whatever work was at hand. Usually deep plowing. Of course, we weren't dealing with those temperatures. I'd say to find something that put a moderate to heavy load on the engine and run it up to operating temperature for as long as you can. As others said, don't just let it idle or just drive it around with no load on it.
CarlGlas
Gold Member
When I bought my tractor, I drove it home from the dealer at full throttle only reducing the engine to idle when I stopped for a traffic light and when turning into my driveway. The trip was about 3 miles or so and so far I haven't had any problems. Of course I didn't have freezing weather when I did it, but I'd feel that once everything has warmed up a little, that the temperature shouldn't make a difference.
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
Since I started messing with tractors, I've owned 3 new ones, and overhauled 3 more.That is the list of my "new engines". In ALL cases, I tried to break them in by using them as hard as I could. The three overhauls were run in for 8 to 10 hours on a PTO Dyno. Loads were varied, but never WITHOUT a load. The new tractors were put to work plowing or discing when they made the scene. Minimize idling, run them up to operating temp whenever they were started, and let cool completely before re-starting when shut off.
I just recently sold a 3000 Ford diesel that I bought new in 1974. It had over 8000 hours and was loose as a goose, yet would only burn a quart of oil per every 2 tanks of fuel. It still had good power, but was getting a distinct "rod knocking" sound. In other words, it ran well right up until it was flat worn out. It spent day 1 (of my ownership) pulling a 2 X 14" plow in hard clay/alfalfa sod.
I just recently sold a 3000 Ford diesel that I bought new in 1974. It had over 8000 hours and was loose as a goose, yet would only burn a quart of oil per every 2 tanks of fuel. It still had good power, but was getting a distinct "rod knocking" sound. In other words, it ran well right up until it was flat worn out. It spent day 1 (of my ownership) pulling a 2 X 14" plow in hard clay/alfalfa sod.