I -do- change my oil filters at a higher interval during extreme conditions.. especially dusty conditions.
I didn't mean to imply 'idle' idle.. where the engine is cold nd there may be unburnt fuel getting to the oil.. etc.. but more of a high idle.. IE.. something to produce some usefull work... though not pto or tillage.. etc.
In any event... clock hour might give you an 'extended' change vs tach hours, based on work, if you were doing a hard, high rpm job.. etc. I'd rather change my oil sooner on those hard jobs.. vs later. I can't think of any lube related problems I've ever seen concerning shortened oil change intervals.. vs lengthened oil change intervals. We practice the same concept at the GC I work for... and the extra maintenance is probably a contribuiting reason why we have so many high hour machines that are nice and tight and still performing good. on the flip side.. I've rarely seen a rental machine that I would have wanted to own ( though not always specifically due to the hours issue )
How many here replace your diesel air filter more often than hours dictate, when in dusty conditions? I do...
Same with fuel filter.. Most people I know change them when 'needed'.. IE. when the machine breaks down due to fuel starvation... I like to change mine as part of regulatr maintenance... ( and prevent those fuel related starvation breakdowns.. etc.. )
Obviuosly everyone is going to have different ideas on maintenance. I was giving my opinion.. nothing more.. nothing less.
My opinion that an electric hour meter by itseld is not a great indicator of tractor usage... More preferably would be an electric hour meter AND a tach meter... best of both worlds.. etc..
Soundguy
RickB said:
You guys have too much time on your hands. How many of you change your car or truck's engine oil at a specific mileage interval regardless of driving style? What makes you think a tractor that has idled around at low RPM's and low operating temps doesn't need an oil change as bad or in reality worse than one that has had the snot run out of it for 100 hours? Change your oil at the recommended interval and be happy.