New engine breakin.

[Volfandt]

Greetings and Merry Christmas to all.

I've always used the "break it in like your going to use it" philosophy but according to the BX's operators manual that I've been enjoyably digesting, this quote caught the ole eye, "Do not operate the tractor at full speed for the 1st 50 hours"

Hummmm, I doubt I'll have 50hrs on it before mowing season starts up and since the BX doesn't have a tach I've been told to run WOT when powering the MMM so my question to you, should you choose to accept it, is, how many here have followed those directions or just broke their machines in just like they planned to use 'em?

As a side note, I managed to aquire an operators manual on my old 1948 TE20 and it stated the same 50hr breakin dislaimer too. (alerady broke in. Had 15 yrs of great service, since sold)

As a side note part deaux, my new Harley stated not to run it at a steady speed for 500 miles for breakin. (18yrs of great service, since sold)

As a side note part trey, my F150 didn't have any breakin restrictions at all, that I recall anyways. (still running strong at 120K miles)

As a side note part ahhh, ahhhh, ummm four, my JD L130 w/ Kohler command didn't have any restrictions on breakin either except to change the oil at the 1st 5hrs. (still have it but it's now for sale, needs a bigger trailer now).

Thats it for all that I've ever bought new. All my other machinery has already been broke in, most were broke but thats another thread /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Volfandt

 

[RonR]

Greetings.

Well, I followed the manual on half throttle (might have gone a little above it a few times, but for short bursts and not pulling hard).

Suggest you spend about $60-70 and order the tiny tach discussed on this site (search for tiny tach in the kubota forums and you'll get lots of info and pics). I don't know HOW that thing works, but it seems to be very accurate as it pegs both my idle and WOT as what is listed in the manual. Its an easy installation too.

I found during the breakin that my FEL would work fine at 1/2 throttle. I didn't use the MMM much, but it also cut fine in dry short fescue at 1/2 throttle. If it cuts that well at 1/2, it almost scares me how fast I could cut at FULL throttle. As it was, I put TWO small FEL divots in the wood shed mowing with the FEL on and going slow. Had I been WOT, I probably would have destroyed the shed!

My tiller works great at 1/2 throttle and the PHD works fine at just above idle.

Only time I drooled for more throttle (and power) was pulling dirt with the box blade............

My guess is the BX can handle WOT and not hurt it a bit. I didn't want to chance it.

Best wishes,
ron

 

[Bird]

The topic of break in RPM has been discussed many times and I think the concensus of opinion is to not worry about it much. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif The dealers I've talked to always said to go ahead and start "using" the tractor from the start. Your manual says not to operated it at "full speed" and while you can certainly mow at that speed later with no harm, PTO speed is probably actually a couple of hundred RPM less than "full speed". So in my opinion:

1) Vary the speed a good bit instead of holding a steady speed - whether slow or fast - the first 50 hours (basically the same recommendation as your Harley),

2) In addition to varying the speed, you want to put some load on the engine; just don't lug it, and of course I'd vary the load, too.

3) And beyond that, go ahead and do whatever work you want to with the tractor.

 

[Apollo]

I dont think the RPM's are the issue. Its more important not to load the engine to hard. I have 11 hrs on mine now, a few lawn cuts and 5 hrs snowblowing. Im using it as I would if it was broke in just making sure not to load the engine to hard and long and also staying around 2900 rpm's for max.

 

[RoyJackson]

"Vary the speed a good bit instead of holding a steady speed - whether slow or fast - the first 50 hours (basically the same recommendation as your Harley),"

When you running a finish mower (or cutter), you maintain a constant RPM. Well, about every 20 minutes, I'd just idle down a bit.
The first 50 hours (26 for me, since the tractor had 24 hours when I bought it) took a bit longer since I would vary the RPM, which meant longer mowing times.

That's just one season of mowing though...I can live with that.

 

[Freds]

My dealer told me to ignore the break in instructions and when I had my B7500, there wasn't any mowing or hogging that I could do with it when it wasn't at full throttle. Not and keep the PTO speed where it's supposed to be.

 

[gsxr1100]

I do what "Bird" stated in #1. Outside of that, I do nothing. Never had a problem to date....

 

[KennyV]

As Bird stated this subject has been covered MANY times… But if you are looking for more information, read this…
http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
It is a controversial topic, KennyV.

 

[DmansPadge]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I do what "Bird" stated in #1. Outside of that, I do nothing. Never had a problem to date.... )</font>

I think that is good advice. I would also advise to always let the engine idle a while before using it. Cold starts are hard on engines. I normally let mine start to register on the temperature gauge before I use it.

 

[Volfandt]

Thanks for the replys. Very interesting link on engine breakin too.
Seems I'm babying the BX so much now that I'm highly inclined to break it in as Bird has suggested if not how the manual states. Depends on how it cuts at lower RPM's come mow'n time I rekon.

Started it up and finally got to run it around in some daylight today. I ran it approx 3/4 of an hr and it barely moved the temp gauge. I'm guess'n it was around 30 degrees. Can hardly wait to put it to work /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Heres a pic just outside it's new home.