JD service intervals

[JDgreen227]

Page 53 of the operator's manual for the 4210-4410 series recommends the first oil and filter change at 50 hours, then the next oil and filter change is recommended at 200 hours.
I question this recommendation because it will be at least 2 more years before I reach the 200 hour mark.

My 4210 got the first oil and filter change at the 25 hour point and the second at 51 hours, the oil gets dirty fast but I know that is normal for a diesel. I am going to continue changing the oil every 25-30 operating hours...filters and oil are much cheaper than rebuilding an engine.

Do other TBN JD owners follow the printed service intervals or service their tractors more frequently?

Oil draining tip: There is little room for a drain pan under the engine when the MMM is installed. I use a length of vinyl rain gutter under the engine drain plug to direct the used oil to a drain pan. It saves on cleanup time and when I drop the plug or the wrench I don't have to fish them out of the drain pan.

 

[RoyJackson]

I think the manual assumes a lot more usage then most of we TBNer's put on our tractors.

It took me almost 2 years to put 100 hours on the 670. First year, the tractor wasn't used much. The second year, usage almost doubled (more confidence in using the machine as well as more snow (!!!)

Reckon for me, annual fluid and filters changes are the way to go.

If I get into projects where I start rolling the hours on, I'll go by the manual...or annually, whichever comes first.

 

[bigpete]

I was advised to leave the "break-in" oil in the engine for the full 50 hours when new. Another mechanic said break-in oil was recommended for the first 100 hours, but that it could be changed at 50 hours and replaced with fresh break-in oil. Break-in oil doesn't have any detergents or additives and allows the rings to thouroughly seat. Using oils with additives and detergents during the break-in period can supposedly result in cylinder "glazing" because they offer too much protection during the early engine life when friction and heat are needed for beneficial wear for the ring-wear portion of the cylinder. I'm not a mechanic and am just repeating what I was told, so please don't take my word for it.

After that period, I'm with you. I change my oil every 25-50 hours depending on conditions and type of useage. Extended hours with high oil temps, or dirty conditions shorten oil life. Oil and filters are relatively cheap and it's someting I can control.

For more info and conversation on the topic, the Oil and Lubricants forum is a great place to chat.

 

[PerryWhite]

My dealer told me that my 4310 came with JD 5W30 from the
factory. ??? When I had my 790 I only had 113 hours in
four years but I changed the oil and filter every year.
I agree on price $15-$20 for oil and filter is cheaper than
major engine repair.

 

[djsch]

These are questions I've been wondering about too. Haven't talked to my dealer yet but since it came up here...

The way I read the manual, you basically change the transmission oil at the same interval as the engine (50 hrs then 200 hrs). Is that really true? Is everyone doing that? I have a 2210 so perhaps my manual is different than the 4xx0 series.

I had a Bolens HT23 for 24 years. When I bought it the factory rep was there when I picked it up. He told me NEVER change the transmission oil unless its burned or obviously dirty. Just change the filter. I followed his advice and never changed transmission/hydraulic oil in 24 years. The transmission worked like a new one when I sold it. He told me that I would introduce more dirt from by changing to new oil than what was in there already. And like the 2210, the transmission & hydraulics shared the same oil. So ... I'm wondering what's really right for my 2210?

 

[JDgreen227]

My salesguy told me JD does not use a break in oil and he thought it was a great idea to change the oil and filter at 25 hours. Every new car and truck I have owned during the past 39 years was given an oil and filter change at 400-500 miles.

My feelings are that a new engine has enough junk floating around in the oil and caught in the filter to warrant a very early change. My spouse wondered why I was changing the transmission oil and filters on "your brand new tractor" so when I removed the suction screen I wrapped it in a clear plastic bag and took it indoors for her to see the metal shavings and gasket shreds, etc. Case closed.

 

[bigpete]

djsch,

I would stick with the tranny oil service intervals per the manual to satisfy warranty requirements. For our 2210s, that is at 50 hours then at 200 hours thereafter. I assume the 50 hour tranny oil change removes any of the impurities and metal shavings that result from the first hours of useage. If you do this yourself, make sure you have an extra set of O-rings for the suction filter housing in case they are damaged removing the filter housing. It's kind of a bugger getting that suction filter out. Try rotating the housing while you are pushing the rubber hose off of the nipple. This probably makes no sense to you right now but it will when you are busting your knuckles on the rear axle housing /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I will not likely step up the intervals for the tranny fluid because it is a pretty tight system, but I will change my oil more frequently than the intervals prescribed in the manuals.

 

[bigpete]

JDGreen227,

My salesman was confused so I cleared it up with a phone call to customer service. JD does ship all of its tractors with Break-in oil.

There was a long and argumentative thread a few months back (maybe a year) about this topic. I just checked again and found the Break-in oil part number in the JD On-line Parts catalog. Here's what the catalog says, verbatim, and a picture. I left out the table containing the chemical and physical properties:

>>
Break-in engine oil

A special-blend oil developed to be used in rebuilt or remanufactured engines and new John Deere engines during the break-in period. Identical to John Deere factory-fill break-in oil.

- The first 100 hours of operation is critical to the life and performance of an engine.

- During the first hours of operation, the rings and liners must seat (establish a pattern of surface mating) for proper performance. If this does not occur, the life of the engine can be adversely affected.

- High-quality premium engine oils should not be used as a break-in oil. The superior anti-wear characteristics of premium oils will inhibit the proper matching of components, which could result in excessive oil consumption

Illus. 92017

Applications
· Excellent oil for new or rebuilt non-John Deere engines. Engine rebuild instructions should be consulted to determine if special requirements are needed

Features
· Contains special additives to control piston ring and liner seating without scuffing

· These additives allow rings and liners to seat while protecting valve train and gears from wear

· Piston rings and liners establish a good wear pattern for maximum performance and extended engine life

Chemical and physical properties....

U.S.

TY22041
Break-in oil
1 gal.
6

TY22042
Break-in oil
55 gal.
1

TY22088
Break-in oil
5 gal.
1

Canada

TY22057
Break-in oil
4L
4

CXTY22088
Break-in oil
20L pail
1
Warranty: 90 days




Last modified: 27Jan03.

 

[JDgreen227]

bigpete,

Thank you very much for the information, you know more than my salesman does about the oil issue and he has been selling tractors for at least 20 years. If JD thinks it's urgent break in oil be used WHY don't they mention that in the operators manual supplied with the new machines....?
There is no mention I can find. Going to print out your post and go have a chat with the fellow who sold me the machine.
And pick up a few quarts of break in oil.

I will also do a search for past discussions on the issue.

 

[bigpete]

JDG, I was the guy who started the thread with what I thought was a stupid question. I think I was rushing out to change my oil in my new 2210 at around 10 hours, which was the recommended practice for the JD garden tractor I had just traded. Here's a link to the thread. You will see my naivity was only surpassed by my desire to do the right thing with my tractor.

Diesel Break-in

FWIW, I don't think it is "urgent" or they (JD) would have stated so. I've never heard anyone say their manual prescribed break-in oil. I took it as a "Best Practice" thing.

Oh, yeah... you will soon learn they only sell this stuff in gallon jugs and it isn't cheap, if I recall.