New Tractor Break-in procedure

sixdogs · Jan 28, 2017

A sight glass is cheap and usually easy to replace.

Catman8 · Jan 28, 2017

rScotty said:
From the way your question is worded I'm guessing that the sight glass isn't normally red color. It sounds like you are saying that it looks like something has dyed the sight glass red.
If that's so....well, this is just a guess....but are all the other tractors you are looking at with the red sight glass used tractors? The reason that I ask is it used to be pretty common practice to mix ATF with the hydraulic fluid - there are even some folks who still do - especially in the winter or real cold climates. And ATF has a stong red dye.
You'll get the full range of opinions on whether mixing was a good thing to do or not. BTW, it wasn't done to save money; ATF tends to be more expensive than most hydraulic fluids.
Now that there are more reasonably priced low viscosity hydraulic fluids and even some reasonably priced synthetics I imagine the practice will die out.
rScotty

No, I'm looking at brand new tractors on a lot and I'm not referring to the color of the glass, the glass is clear and when the fluid fills the sight glass it turns red, meaning the fluid is red. Post #39 says they use dye. So when you guys change your hygard trans fluid do you put dye back in.

beenthere · Jan 28, 2017

I do not put in any red dye.

sixdogs · Jan 28, 2017

I don't know anyone that puts dye in unless they have a problem and are trying to locate a stubborn leak. Could the factory?

Catman8 · Jan 28, 2017

sixdogs said:
I don't know anyone that puts dye in unless they have a problem and are trying to locate a stubborn leak. Could the factory?

I was thinking that red was easier to see in the sight glass than clear, my tractor has the original hygard in it and it's red so I just thought people put dye in it for that reason.

beenthere · Jan 29, 2017

You can likely use the JD MT3668 red dye if you want.

sixdogs · Jan 29, 2017

Just read your original post and there really is no need for an oil change at 10 hours. At 50 hours is plenty early enough. Just my two cent here.

I have heard of tractors coming from the factory with dyed trans oil.

H500D · Mar 25, 2022

roadhunter said:
The funniest thing about this is the people who put the least hours on machines are the ones who worry the most about stuff like this. Little CUT's who live in the garage and get 20 hours a year of easy use while the owner changes oil every year because the manual says to.

These are the machines to look for if you can find them used. Probably have 100-200 hours and the owner finally got sent to the nursing home or dies and the tractor is in pristine condition with barely a scratch. Most implements are barely used and it's had 9 oil changes in 123 hours of use. LOL

I used to think on the same lines but the DPF systems can royally ruin your month. All is fine and dandy and then the day you don't check your oil your crankcase and it is overflowing of carbon and fuel.... or worse, coolant. Happened to me.

oosik · Mar 25, 2022

My first tractor was a brand new 1982 Ford 1700 4WD. In 2009 I upgraded to a brand new Kubota M6040 4WD. Both have been treated the same and both have never had a single problem.

Let the tractor warm up prior to use. Do not over rev the motor. Do not put the tractor under heavy use/load for the first 50 hours. I changed ALL oils/fluids/greases at 100 hours - my decision.

Otherwise - I change engine oil every other year. I put approximately 75 - 100 hours per year on the tractor.

This is the recommended operating procedures for my Kubota M6040. Right out of my Op Manual.