First Regen Experience

[desh]

I had my first regeneration today (or the first one I've noticed) at 44 hours on my L4701. It happened as I was idling and getting ready to brush hog. Two lights came on, one stating the regeneration was happening and the other saying to increase RPM. Since I was ready to start, I increased the RPM to PTO speed (2700) and off I went. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and the light went off about 15 minutes later. No drama, and if the lights had not come on, I would not have known it even happened. No big deal. I just wanted to post this for those worried about the DPF and Tier 4 emissions. Happy tractoring...

 

[BX23S-1]

Good to hear, but i will NEVER be convinced that all this emission **** is doing any good for anything, except raise the price`s of everything.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I had my first regeneration today (or the first one I've noticed) at 44 hours on my L4701. It happened as I was idling and getting ready to brush hog. Two lights came on, one stating the regeneration was happening and the other saying to increase RPM. Since I was ready to start, I increased the RPM to PTO speed (2700) and off I went. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and the light went off about 15 minutes later. No drama, and if the lights had not come on, I would not have known it even happened. No big deal. I just wanted to post this for those worried about the DPF and Tier 4 emissions. Happy tractoring...

I have a L3901 with a hair over 50 hours. I start it, let it idle for very short time then increase rpms to about mid point for another very short period and then to PTO RPMs and leave it there till I stop. I don't let it idle and sit running. PTO RPMs all the time or more. If it's regened I never noticed and with tunnel vision I'd probably never seen lights come on. After 20 new Kubotas, how do I feel about it? It's working like all of the other ones and does the jobs I ask it to do. Why do I care how it works at this point in my life? Used to care and had tto know how everything worked but to old for that now.

Good to hear, but i will NEVER be convinced that all this emission **** is doing any good for anything, except raise the price`s of everything.

Stick to your guns and never back down. I heard the same thing about automatic transmissions in cars and color TVs and who needs AC when a good fan and open window will do the same job!!!! :laughing::cool2: Got to love you young guys that say you are old like us old guys. Well, some of you act old and thus you are OLD!!:drink:

 

[rt014]

I also have a L4701 with 2 regens so far. No issues.

 

[DK35vince]

They are fine when they work like their supposed to.
Its when the check engine light and some type of regen failure light comes on and your forced to take it in to see what's wrong that's the problem.
We have 4 pieces of equipment at work with the regen type system, and all 4 where back at the dealer on the computer to find out what was wrong this year.
That's been my experience with it.

 

[AStanton]

Say what you want, I was at the service department of my Kubota dealer a few years back, and they were inundated with calls about "panel lights coming on and not going off." My town spent over $100,000 for a new diesel dump truck. When it is cold outside, they can't shut the dang thing off for more than 10 minutes because it won't restart. In my opinion, the new diesel emissions are something to be avoided if possible.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I was at my car dealers "a few years back" and the service dept guy said he hoped the sales dept would stop selling those vehicle with automatic transmissions!!! He also hated when they stated installing 8 track players in vehicle that had children!!! And automatic transmissions on buses was really bad. GPS in a car, forget it!!!:thumbdown::shocked: I'll be 70 in a couple of weeks and you old guys just tear me up! :laughing::cool2:

 

[BX23S-1]

I was at my car dealers "a few years back" and the service dept guy said he hoped the sales dept would stop selling those vehicle with automatic transmissions!!! He also hated when they stated installing 8 track players in vehicle that had children!!! And automatic transmissions on buses was really bad. GPS in a car, forget it!!!:thumbdown::shocked: I'll be 70 in a couple of weeks and you old guys just tear me up! :laughing::cool2:

Wow John, i didn`t think you were still that young...lol

 

[DanHen]

Thanks for posting. At about 10 hours on my L-47 and freaking out wondering when this thing will happen and if I'm going to do something boneheaded to mess it up.... Owners manual isn't exactly clear, or at least my brain isn't following it too clearly....

 

[AStanton]

I was at my car dealers "a few years back" and the service dept guy said he hoped the sales dept would stop selling those vehicle with automatic transmissions!!! He also hated when they stated installing 8 track players in vehicle that had children!!! And automatic transmissions on buses was really bad. GPS in a car, forget it!!!:thumbdown::shocked: I'll be 70 in a couple of weeks and you old guys just tear me up! :laughing::cool2:

Be honest, if the dealer had two brand new tractors, one with the emissions and one without, which would you choose?

 

[hawkeye08]

I was getting all worried about regens and glad you put us at ease John, then I remembered my tractor is too old to regen. I want to be part of the new crowd so will have to start looking for a new tractor (this one with a cab)...

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Be honest, if the dealer had two brand new tractors, one with the emissions and one without, which would you choose?

I've bought over 20 new Kubotas from Steve Barlow. He knows more about tractors and Kubotas than I'll ever know. I'd ask him which one he would buy and that's the one I'd buy. That may sound evasive but with a "what if" question that's the only answer I can give. I never paid much attention to the "regen" opposers before buying because I didn't think it applied to me. I aquired an additional mostly wooded 28 acres and needed a heavier tractor and went to Barlows and told him I needed to trade my near new B2650 for a stronger and heavier tractor and he recommended the L3901. I rarely buy used so new was my only option. He did point out a under 25 hours used M with some attachments but I like the 0% financing for 60 months program and thus the L3901 came home or was delivered to me and the B2650 picked up.
Two used same model Kubota tractors and both with 28 hours and same price I'd take the pre regen model. Is that more clear? I haven't seen evidence saying the new regen is "better" than the pre regen is why I'd take the pre regen. I'm just saying I'm not letting new technology stop me from buying something I've decided I want/need.

 

[sandman2234]

"Regen" is new to tractors, but not so new to semi trucks.
I teach at a school that almost never reaches the normal standard for a moving regen. All of our trucks (*2013 and 2014 models)poke around, trying to learn to shift or practice cornering. So we have regen problems ALL THE TIME!! We are constantly having check engine lights popping on, and have our shop busy way too much!
As far as the costs, with a truck when the filter needs manually cleaning, it is a huge cost. When the filter can't be cleaned again and it has to be replaced, multiply that cost by 4 and pray that it doesn't keep your truck down for weeks.
When I was running over the road with my first regen truck, the truck gave us a huge problem, stayed in the shop way too much and costs the company a fortune! My point is, when everything goes right, and it works as it should, life is great! When things go bad, with a regen, they go really bad!, I mean expensively bad! I won't own one till I can't get one without it, and then only if every tractor is worn completely out, and there aren't any parts for rebuild.
'nough said!!
David from jax

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Be honest, if the dealer had two brand new tractors, one with the emissions and one without, which would you choose?

"Regen" is new to tractors, but not so new to semi trucks.
I teach at a school that almost never reaches the normal standard for a moving regen. All of our trucks (*2013 and 2014 models)poke around, trying to learn to shift or practice cornering. So we have regen problems ALL THE TIME!! We are constantly having check engine lights popping on, and have our shop busy way too much!
As far as the costs, with a truck when the filter needs manually cleaning, it is a huge cost. When the filter can't be cleaned again and it has to be replaced, multiply that cost by 4 and pray that it doesn't keep your truck down for weeks.
When I was running over the road with my first regen truck, the truck gave us a huge problem, stayed in the shop way too much and costs the company a fortune! My point is, when everything goes right, and it works as it should, life is great! When things go bad, with a regen, they go really bad!, I mean expensively bad! I won't own one till I can't get one without it, and then only if every tractor is worn completely out, and there aren't any parts for rebuild.
'nough said!!
David from jax

I think your on the wrong forum. You keep talking about trucks and this is a tractor forum. Not in the same ballpark. Not ran or operated the same, as you tell us. Us tractor operators run our tractors full throttle or very near full throttle as soon as they warm up till we turn them off some times hours later. You say you have no experience with tractors with regen that are run like the factory says to run them, full out, yet you keep knocking tractors with regen systems????? What about motorcycles and go carts? Any advise on them?

 

[Gator6x4]

I think your on the wrong forum. You keep talking about trucks and this is a tractor forum. Not in the same ballpark. Not ran or operated the same, as you tell us. Us tractor operators run our tractors full throttle or very near full throttle as soon as they warm up till we turn them off some times hours later. You say you have no experience with tractors with regen that are run like the factory says to run them, full out, yet you keep knocking tractors with regen systems????? What about motorcycles and go carts? Any advise on them?

Some people read the equipments owners manual and use the equipment following the instructions and guidelines in the manual. Some people don't read the manual and abuse the equipment and complain about how the equipment was not manufactured to their specs so it a problem waiting to happen.

 

[Ford850]

I've seen it repeated on here several times about how tractors are run full throttle, or should be. I know much of my tractor use is just above idle, or half throttle, and only run at full throttle when I have the PTO in use (mowing, tilling). When did full throttle become the norm?

 

[GAFarmer2]

I've seen it repeated on here several times about how tractors are run full throttle, or should be. I know much of my tractor use is just above idle, or half throttle, and only run at full throttle when I have the PTO in use (mowing, tilling). When did full throttle become the norm?

I was wondering the same thing...guess I won't need one of them new shiny ones.

 

[BX23S-1]

I think your on the wrong forum. You keep talking about trucks and this is a tractor forum. Not in the same ballpark. Not ran or operated the same, as you tell us. Us tractor operators run our tractors full throttle or very near full throttle as soon as they warm up till we turn them off some times hours later. You say you have no experience with tractors with regen that are run like the factory says to run them, full out, yet you keep knocking tractors with regen systems????? What about motorcycles and go carts? Any advise on them?

John, i think you may have missed the main point of his story. A re-gen is a re-gen, whether its a truck or a tractor, its intended EMISSION`S purpose is still the same principles. And also, it WILL be very costly to repair any way you stack the deck, if its re-gen equipped. My choice is not to buy one with emission crap on it, but those days are numbered i`m afraid. The way i look at it is, we`re ALL in the "same ballpark" with diesels, some of us are just standing in different corners of the field. The emissions game is still played the same, whether its truck`s, or tractor`s.

 

[BX23S-1]

The throttle lever gives us an option... run it how ever it suits your needs. But running wide open from start to finish...??? Sorry, but i totally disagree. I only run with just enough throttle to get the job done. If you walk up a hill, you`ll be less tired and less worn out. I think your equipment would feel the same way.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John, i think you may have missed the main point of his story. A re-gen is a re-gen, whether its a truck or a tractor, its intended EMISSION`S purpose is still the same principles. And also, it WILL be very costly to repair any way you stack the deck, if its re-gen equipped. My choice is not to buy one with emission crap on it, but those days are numbered i`m afraid. The way i look at it is, we`re ALL in the "same ballpark" with diesels, some of us are just standing in different corners of the field. The emissions game is still played the same, whether its truck`s, or tractor`s.

I think you missed his point. If the equipment is not operated as recommended by the manufacturer it will malfunction. I don't know or care about the recommended running of a truck, don't have one and not getting one....today. My Tractors are diesel and are to be run at full throttle or near per instructions and per most of the diesel tractor owners. I had a lot of trouble with this when I first started dieseling because I was used to gasoline car/truck/mower engines and I operated them at the lowest setting possible to get the job done. Over the years people with much more experience and knowledge about diesel engines says to run them at or near full throttle and determine your speed with your transmission. New to me but I adapted and still cringe a bit when I do it but I do.

The throttle lever gives us an option... run it how ever it suits your needs. But running wide open from start to finish...??? Sorry, but i totally disagree. I only run with just enough throttle to get the job done. If you walk up a hill, you`ll be less tired and less worn out. I think your equipment would feel the same way.

Disagree if you want and run yours however you want. It's yours and you paid for it to do with as you see fit.
I'll follow the recommendations of the makers and people with much more knowledge and experience than me and they say run diesel engines at full or near full out and control your speed with the transmission. Diesel Power generators are ran full out all the time no matter the demand and they run for thousands and thousands of hours. If you walk up a hill, you`ll be less tired and less worn out. I think your equipment would feel the same way Odd comparison with no merit to compare the human body to a mechanical engine.:shocked: