New Mahindra 2126 Break in

[Toddxyz]

Just got delivered so I am reading the manual. Never owned / operated a tractor so trying to get it right.

Came across this:

A. For new engine operate at a light load for first 50 hours.

B. When operating at low load (less than 30%) limit operation to less than 1 hour to prevent carbon build up. After 1 hour at low load, operate engine at 50% or more of rated load for 30 minutes or longer to prevent carbon deposits.

First of all, what is "load" referring to? I am guessing RPM? If so then assuming an arbitrary rated rpm of 3000:

Low / light load = 30% of 3000 = 900 rpm
After 1 hr light load run at 50% of 3000 = 1500rpm or more for at least 30 minutes.

Second, don't see how you can do A and B at the same time. A seems to indicate running at light load for first 50 hours, without exception. B alternates between light loads and loads greater than 50%. So maybe B kicks in after A is completed for first 50 hours?

So, this is pretty confusing for me. They don't even say what "load" is in the first place. Then its not clear if A and B are concurrent or done on either side of 50 hours. Finally, whatever it is that I am supposed to do, doing it for 50 hours seems like an awfully long time to do it.

 

[RjCorazza]

Just got delivered so I am reading the manual. Never owned / operated a tractor so trying to get it right.

Came across this:

A. For new engine operate at a light load for first 50 hours.

B. When operating at low load (less than 30%) limit operation to less than 1 hour to prevent carbon build up. After 1 hour at low load, operate engine at 50% or more of rated load for 30 minutes or longer to prevent carbon deposits.

First of all, what is "load" referring to? I am guessing RPM? If so then assuming an arbitrary rated rpm of 3000:

Low / light load = 30% of 3000 = 900 rpm
After 1 hr light load run at 50% of 3000 = 1500rpm or more for at least 30 minutes.

Second, don't see how you can do A and B at the same time. A seems to indicate running at light load for first 50 hours, without exception. B alternates between light loads and loads greater than 50%. So maybe B kicks in after A is completed for first 50 hours?

So, this is pretty confusing for me. They don't even say what "load" is in the first place. Then its not clear if A and B are concurrent or done on either side of 50 hours. Finally, whatever it is that I am supposed to do, doing it for 50 hours seems like an awfully long time to do it.

I read that as "A" stating to generally operate at a reduced "load", and "B" IF you operate at basically idle for 30 minutes, then follow that with higher rpm work of 1500 OR MORE for an hour.
It's not really critical, just don't unnecessarily idle, or run the snot out of your new machine for the first 50 hours or so.

Enjoy your new machine!

 

[BackRoad]

Congratulations on your new tractor!

As Mr. RJ mentions, they're implying to not run continuously for long duration at each end of the RPM extremes, so run it above low idle and stay below WOT for any extended duration.

The general guidance is to try to vary the RPMs while breaking it in....don't maintain one steady RPM for long durations initially. I suspect that's reasonably sound advice.

The Kubota manual for break-in indicates to not run at full throttle for initial 50 hours; do not start the tractor quickly; if winter, let it warm up; do not run the engine at speeds faster than necessary.

Enjoy your new tractor! Get a scratch on it quick, after the first one it won't matter any more!

 

[Toddxyz]

Yeah, pretty excited to have a new tractor. But I have zero tractor experience. I am fairly adept with simple mechanical stuff, I figure a lot more so than your average home gamer. My dad and I rebuilt a Subaru engine last year down to the pistons, rings, bearings, etc. Had the heads resurfaced in a shop and it runs great now. Will easily be able to do all my own maintenance.

But this tractor stuff I find a bit intimidating. I mean, just the safety aspects alone of operating a tractor is quite a bit more involved than I imagined. You got to think about load balancing, slopes, gear range, 4wd, locking diff, speed, traction, terrain, load movement, hydraulic leak down, ROPS, PTO stuff, split brakes, etc. I recently learned tractors have no front breaks so might need to put it in 4wd going down hill for engine breaking. Well I have some slopes of 20-30 degrees. Be a while before attempting that, if ever.

I see myself taking it quite easy and slow for a good while. So just as well having a 50 hour break in period. But yeah, for sure excited about the new tractor, the learning experience, and all the things I can do now and in the future with a tool like this.