Diesel Engine Reliability/Longgevity

[dlauffenburger]

I am looking at used (60-90 HP) tractors and am skeptical about some of them because of the Hours on them. What is the normal lifespan diesel engines? I understand that a lot of it depends on maintenance and whether the engine was abused etc, but i am jsut trying to get a rough idea what would be an average life expectancy.

I am looking at tractors with approximately 4500 hours and less.

Any thoughts and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[hodge]

If the tractor was cared for, I wouldn't necessarily be scared of those hours. I said necessarily, because it also depends on how much you have to spend- low hours cost more. And, what will your use be? We just bought a skidsteer with 4000 hours on it, but we won't put more than 80 or 100 hours a year on it- it has a lot of life left, in relation to how we use it.
With 4000 hours on it, the kubota engine has good compression, runs clean and clear, keeps the oil clean (for a diesel), starts good in the cold, and has no issues. I fully anticipate that we have good life left in it. I know that we are talking about two different machines, but the engine is the same.

 

[JerryK]

My 1981 JD2240 [ 51ptoHP ] is still going at 6800 hours. But it is not the same tractor that rolled off the assembly line. I put new injectors on it a few years ago, but it probably needs an injection pump. It doesn't have the guts of my new Mahindra running a snowblower, which is 10 ptoHP less. So, she probably needs internal work. Still doesn't use oil or smoke....but she is getting long of the tooth.... 4500 is not too bad for a tractor that will do homeowner stuff the rest of her life. Depends on what you plan on doing with it....

 

[Mark Page]

At 4500 hours a diesel is just hitting mid life. If you take care of them they last about forever. A farmer whose property abuts mine has a Case with 10,500 hours on it and it still runs great. If the machine blows black or grey smoke when warm I'd probably pass.
Watermen on the Chesapeake run CATs up to 12,000 hrs. before considering a rebuild.
The cosmetic appearance of a tractor can tell you a lot about how the machine was maintained. Did it sit outdoors or was it kept indoors?

 

[creekbend]

I have a Kubota L4400. My operator's manual states this info in regards to colored exhaust fumes. BLACK - Fuel quality is poor or too much oil or the air cleaner is clogged. BLUE WHITE - The inside of exhaust muffler is dumped with fuel or injection nozzle trouble or fuel quality is poor. The best of Luck.:tractor:

 

[Soundguy]

for a large diesel, while it may be getting ready for things like a clutch, etc.. the engine will likely be fine, if maintained well.

soundguy

 

[bigbull338]

5000 hours or less on a tractor is nothing if its been maintained like it should be.our 34yr old 7700 has 20,000hrs or more on the 2nd motor.the reason that its on the 2nd motor is because the 1st had a defect in it an the block would crack between 3000 an 4000hrs.any diesel should last 10,000 or over unless something unforeseen happens.

 

[jenkinsph]

Some if not most of the older tractors can easily be rebuilt with new liner/piston assemblies if necessary. I rebuilt the engine in my JD 450 dozer years ago with great success and very few tools.

While you may not need to rebuild one I recommend you atleast have some mechanical aptitude and wrenching skills if buying a high hour tractor. I would also add that 4000 hours on a reasonably cared for tractor is not too high for the older models.

If you find a specific tractor model I suggest you post a query here so that members knowledgeable with it can post their remarks and experiences for you BEFORE you buy.

 

[IndyIan]

I would look at overall condition of the tractor more than the hours. I went to look at a nice 30 year old massey with a 3 cyl perkins with 5500hrs and the engine ran very well, gear box sounded like gravel though and the brakes didn't really work which is not a cheap fix on that model.
I then looked at a 900 hr kubota that I thought was going to throw a rod on my test drive. How somebody got the engine sounding that bad in 900hrs I'll never know, but I passed on that one too.
Anyways, the engine may not be the big problem on a high hour tractor, transmissions and drive lines can wear out too.

 

[dlauffenburger]

Gentlemen,

Thank You for your replies.

Jenkinsph,

I posted over on the Massey fergusson forum with tractor specifics but did not recieve any relpies.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/massey-ferguson-buying-pricing/232211-used-mf-6150-data.html

I looked up the tractor on TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors, TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 6150 tractor engine information , and it says it is a Perkins diesel but that is all of the specifics i could find.

I am not familiar with Perkins diesels.

Thanks again,
David