First tractor questions

[chrisjordan1]

Purchased my first tractor from a guy that runs a mobile repair business for tractors - basic stuff that doesn't require a computer. He seems to have meticulous maintenence records for the tractor so I will go off of what he has done for fluids etc.

Anyway a couple of questions

1. How long can this tractor sit for without being run/started? I eventually plan on leaving it at a remote property that is not accessible from nov-may.
2. Can you run a regen cycle too much? He was explicit about issues related to emissions with this tractor and has had them fixed. He attributed this to the previous owner not running high enough rpms or knowing anything about regen. Can I run a cycle say every 10 hours? Would that be bad?
3. Are there any third party manufactures of backhoes or do you have to go w/ the brand?
4. Are there any fuel treatments that you would recommend to clean out the tank?

 

[dusty3030]

1. A plug in or solar battery maintainer to keep the battery up. Watch for rodents / dirt daubers / birds building nests where they shouldn't.

2. What make / model of tractor is it? It should regen on it's own while you are working when it's needed.

3. Yes there are 3rd party, Woods is a good one. You want a full subframe mount. Woods or OE with all the mounting hardware will likely cost close to the same.

4. Are you having fuel problems? If you think there is crap in the tank - drain it and clean it. On the other hand if you just want to be sure a good fuel treatment that boosts cetane is a good thing with a tier 4 tractor. I like Optilube, Power Service is well liked as is Howse. Everyone will have an opinion on this.

 

[sea2summit]

4. Are you having fuel problems? If you think there is crap in the tank - drain it and clean it.

And anytime you buy a second hand tractor replace all the filters/traps regardless if you drain the tank or not. Great records are a great starting point, proof is in the filters.

 

[jeff9366]

Can I run a cycle say every 10 hours? Would that be bad?

With most Tier IV tractors you cannot initiate regeneration until the DPF sensors sense the DPF is loaded.

A dealer with the proper computer software can trigger regeneration sooner but a tractor owner cannot.

Each regeneration detracts from the DPF service life. If regenerated every 10 hours, rather than normal ~~ 60 hours, DPF life MIGHT be 500 engine hours, rather than often quoted "normal" ~~ 3,000 engine hours.


I eventually plan on leaving it at a remote property that is not accessible from nov-may.

Non use for an extended period probably will make your tractor problem prone. I have had very few problems with my 2013 purchased new Kubota. As a retiree I have the tractor out for at least an hour or two, two to five times per week. I live in Florida where the weather is moderate. Only two or three mild freezes per year, few days above 95 degrees.

Most here consider stale fuel a significant factor leading to engine problems.

Also consider theft. Tractors do not have nationally databased VINS accessible to law enforcement like road vehicles. If your tractor is stolen, most often it is gone for good.

 

[somanytractors]

There are many backhoes that will fit {or can be modified to fit} most tractors. To me brand doesn't matter much. It's just valves and cylinders. Which one is right for you depends on what you plan on doing with it and the size of your tractor. For occasional light digging one of the little ones that attach to the 3pt are fine. If you plan on doing heavy work with it I would go with one that mounts to the frame but make sure it's the right size. It should be large and strong enough to pull the tractor. When digging, you should be able to pick up the outriggers and move the tractor using the backhoe. Otherwise you'll spend a lot of time moving back and forth between the tractor and backhoe. But you don't want it so big that the tractor struggles with it, it's too big for the jobs you plan on doing with it, or you're just uncomfortable with its size. Most backhoes say what size tractor they are designed for.
My main tractor is a to-30 with a really small bushhog backhoe that would be too small for most people but I have a lot of golf cart trails on my property that run through the woods and anything bigger would never fit so for that purpose the little one is perfect.

 

[MHarryE]

You need to know your tractor and it’s regen. I have 4 and each is different. My largest, 175 HP, 80% of its work at 100% power, will regen every 12 to 14 hours. My 60 HP will vary from 10 hours if it’s low power low speed to 70 hours working hard. My CTL regens in like 5 minutes and varies on how hard I work it. The 110 HP chore tractor will vary from 25 to 60 but it seems like if continually run hard, it never regens as it will drop from like 70% to 50% by running full speed to a field 6 miles from home, loading bales, and run at full speed coming back. Chore tractor is over 3,500 hours no difference from new. 175 HP is at 1,000 hr, also same as when new. 60 HP is 650 hours, no change. CTL is 350 hours and can’t tell much about it because it can regen so quickly I don’t notice. All 4 are same brand, engines from 2.4 liter to 6.1. So there is no one answer fits all, and no “it works this way for mine so it should be that way for yours because like mine”, every user is different, etc.

As for storage, between nephew and I we have like 17 tractors and 2 combines. The combines sit idle 10 months yearly. Charge batteries as part of getting ready for harvest. Many of the tractors run only from June to October, then sit for the winter. Nothing special done while sitting. They range in age from 1941 to I think 2018 - we’ve been buying other equipment lately because the latest tractors are so much more reliable.