Small Diesel Engines - Natural Aspiration vs Turbo Charged?

[bdog]

Question #1 - Does turbo charging decrease the service life of the engine?
Question #2 - Which engine (of the same HP) gets better fuel efficiency?
Question #3 - Are there any significant differences in engine maintenance requirements between the two types?
Question #4 - Are there any significant differences on how well the DPF functions perform between the two types

#1 No or at least not significantly. Every semi on the road has a turbo and most make it a million miles without turbo failures. For the average compact tractor owner turbo longevity is a non issue.

#2 Turbo is more efficient.

#3 No.

#4 Not that I am aware of but not sure. All my DPF equipped diesels have turbos.

 

[oosik]

I bought my 2009 Kubota M6040 brand new in 2009. Its turbo - its 64 engine hp - its not been a moments problem in the nine years of ownership. The Owners Manual lists nothing special for maintenance because its a turbo. The "heaviest" continuous work load it sees is powering my Wallenstein PTO chipper OR maybe plowing snow or grading the ditches on my mile long driveway. I use standard dino oil - 15W40 - in the Kubota. None of that UBER or ULTRA stuff.

Every year I change engine oil & filter and inner and outer air filters. I probably don't need to change the air filters every year but its $45 well spent as I figure it.

I'm 76 - expect to live another 40 years - expect this tractor to last at least that long. My previous tractor was purchased new in '82 and was as good as new when traded in for my Kubota in 2009. Actually in 2009 I got $1000 more for the Ford 1700 than I paid for it brand new in '82.

And - NO, I'm not related to the Kubota dealer - - just a long time customer - - since '82.

 

[Agvg]

I do believe the first turbodiesel came in 1923, in trucks in ca 1954/55 so it's not new and untested technology. In tractors it has been very common from the late seventies. Turboes are a very simple construction, two fans, an axle, two bearing and two seals, almost everything on your tractor is fare more complicated constructions.

 

[sixdogs]

i've seen recommendations to let the engine idle for a few minutes to cool down turbo after working it. i've also heard it said that to prevent pinwheeling of the turbo in transporting tractor, block off the stack. not an issue for me, the tractor stays put.

Excellent advice. Always let a turbo idle to warm up a bit and always let it idle down for 5 minutes or so before shutoff. The heat can cook the bearing. When towing, I always stuff a paper towel in the exhaust of turbo tractors to prevent wind from spinning the fan and bearing. Very important points.

25 years ago, I didn't want a turbo because I thought it was hard on the engine. Now, I wouldn't have a farm tractor without one.

 

[Agvg]

Don't think you need to do anything if you are not using the engine very hard over a very long period, nobody does this on trucks or cars and the turbo works fine. It's was a issue with poor oil and early turboes.

 

[welyell]

Thanks All - Sounds like with a turbo, I'll need to get a bigger engine to keep the overall weight of the tractor up (meant to be humorous) I haven't heard anyone complain about more horse power yet

 

[Industrial Toys]

Are there any issues with a seldom used turbo? Especially in climates prone to moisture and large temperature swings?

What of turbos that are on engines that are often used for short periods never getting to temperature? I mean some turbos work for twelve hours non stop. Others like on a forklift may be started, unload a pallet and are parked again.

 

[ericm979]

Once the oil is up to pressure it doesn't matter much for longevity if the turbo's hot or cold. On shutdown if the turbo is hot it can cook the oil in the bearing. A lot of modern turbo cars have water cooled turbos and electric afterrun pumps to prevent this. On a turbo tractor without an afterrun pump I'd idle the engine a little before shutting it off if it was just run hard. Diesels pump a lot of air at idle (they move the same amount of air at all "throttle" settings) but since little fuel is burnt at idle the exhaust is relatively cool. So it would cool the turbo down faster than a gas engine.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't know. Seems, if you are not running a fleet, are not burning a ton of fuel and don't need performance, why would you want a turbo?

 

[welyell]

I don't know. Seems, if you are not running a fleet, are not burning a ton of fuel and don't need performance, why would you want a turbo?

For me, when I'm ready to purchase, it would be a matter of what is "readily" available and lead times for delivery to the dealership. Just wanted to make sure there were no hidden costs/issues between natural aspiration and turbo charging......