Oil & Fuel proper diesel engine break-in

Soundguy · Oct 7, 2005

( I don't remember the manual on my Kubota L4400 saying _anything_ at all about break-in )

My NH manual ( 5610 / 6610 / 7610 (s models ) ) specifies to vary the load during the 50 hour break in..

Soundguy

Egon · Oct 7, 2005

Ah shucks, again I'm being confused about motor breakin. Think I'd follow emperical advice of someone who has done it a few times and keeps proper maintenance records. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've got two diesel break ins to my name. Varied RPM and lots of load. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifNeither one uses any oil. Do I know what I'm talking about? -- No way!

Also had many gas engines from new that did not burn any oil.

Seen more than one or two Brand New Cat equipment brought onto the jobsite. They had to earn their keep from hour one.! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

N80 · Oct 7, 2005

I'm home now and looking at the manual for my Kubota L4400. First there is a paragraph explaining how important break-in is and how it will determine the life of your tractor. It says "avoid excessive work or operation." (What the heck does that mean? What is excessive work? Sounds like something anyone would naturally avoid.)

The next paragraph starts in bold print, "Do not Operate the Tractor at Full Speed for the First 50 Hours." It then lists not stopping and starting quickly, proper winter warm-up, not running engine "faster than necessary" (duh) and finally, not driving too fast on rough roads.

The final paragraph says," The above precautions are not limited only to new tractors but to all tractors. But it should be especially observed in the case of new tractors."

So, besides the not running at full speed, an ambiguos "avoid excessive work" and a few common sense pointers, there isn't hard break-in info from Kubota. But the overall suggestion is to baby it a little.

I'll try to avoid running at full speed, which really isn't a problem, but other than that, I've got work to do and I need the tractor to do it. I'll certainly avoid reckless use, but I do that anyway. But am I really supposed to look at a task and think, hmmm, I'd better wait until 50 hours rolls around? If I did, it would never make it to 50 hours! (But I guess it would last forever if I never used it).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing with _anybody_, I'm just sharing what my manual says.

Soundguy · Oct 8, 2005

( Think I'd follow emperical advice of someone who has done it a few times and keeps proper maintenance records.
)

Again.. from a warranty issue standpoint. I can't imagine anything 'safer' (financially) that following the -in-print- manufacturers specifications, whatever they may be.

For those that may be impatient and 'have tractor work to do now" keep in mind that big diesels typically run thousands of hours (4000-10,000) before needing rebuilds, assuming normal wear / tear. Observinge a few special conditions during your break in period is like a drop in the bucket... Using the 4000 hour number... 50 hrs is .01% of the tractor enigines 'possible' usable life expectancy.

As another poster said.. I'm not disagreeing with anyone.. just stating that I personally, would follow my tractors manufacturer's specs. What others do is up to them.

Soundguy

cp1969 · Oct 8, 2005

Most diesels can't be afforded the luxury of an official break-in period. Imagine someone who buys a new Kenworth in Denver and the first load is westbound.

The whole topic of break-in is up for discussion.

This web site is an interesting read.

Boomerang1 · Oct 9, 2005

( Most diesels can't be afforded the luxury of an official break-in period. Imagine someone who buys a new Kenworth in Denver and the first load is westbound. ) I have broken in a few new big rigs. The trick is that you can't lug the engine during break in. If you could normally pull a hill at 1400 rpm, you need to split a gear and raise to 1600 rpm or drop a whole gear and raise to 1800 rpm. This will free up the engine. You may pull the hill 2.5-5 mph. slower, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Roscoe · Oct 9, 2005

All this is not helping you much is it George, It must be frustrating wanting to do the correct thing and your manual is not specific.

Something that I have found during my career as a Diesel Mechanic is that the Japanese are not very good at translating from their own langquidge and their own langquidge does not contain any technical words so quite often their technical litirature can be confusing and lacking detail.

This country is a heavy user of Japanese vehicles and machinary so we have learnt to apply a bit of common sence along with what they are trying to say.

You will definitly not do your engine any harm running it at PTO speed, but for the first 50 hrs or so, vary the load if you can, work it so it maintains the speed that you are working at without the engine struggling to maintain it.

Talk to your local engine repair specialists too, they get to see the results of poor maintenance etc so get their advice too.

The mechanics at your nearest Kubota tractor dealer should know about proper running in for their product anyway.

The manual will say though, when to do the first oil change, this is very important as it will void your warranty if not done when specified. The first change interval is normally much shorter than the standard intervals.

This probably still hasnt been much help to you but your dealer should always be your first point of contact for any enquiries during the warranty period.

Good Luck
Roscoe