The 50 Hour Service

[JohniusMaximus]

We put about 30 hours on our new 790 this summer preparing and planting the wildlife food plots. I know the suggested time for servicing the tractor is at 50 hours, and I've been told doing it around the 40 hours range is a good thing. However this tractor is going to get seasonal work. It was bought to maintain the property during the late summer/early fall and won't see much work in between. Is there anything wrong with servicing the tractor at about 35 hours instead of 40 or 50? By the time this machine gets more use next summer the hours will probably double and I don't want to go over the 50 hour mark before servicing it.

If I can dig up some work for it to do in order to get the hours up to 40-45 I will, but I just want to see what the deal is.

I love the machine, but I can't put hours on it when there's no work to be done. Thanks!

 

[RoyJackson]

I strongly suggest you wait until at least 50 hours. My 790 was origianlly sold in Feb 2003. It didn't get it's break in oil changed until Aug 2004.

Changing early isn't a particularly good thing...those rings need to seat.

 

[ddivinia]

I totally agree - leave the break in oil in it for the full 50 hours.

D.

 

[brandon07]

My 990 is at 45 hours and I have about 10 more hours of work to do before I bring her to the house. It won't hurt it to go over the 50 hours just a tad will it?

 

[JohniusMaximus]

Thanks, guys. I'll hold off until at least 50 hours. Maybe I can do some extra mowing in the spring or something.

 

[BillW50]

Roy

I have a new 4310 with 30 engine hours. I was just under seven hours when I bought it and since it was on the lot for some time, figured I'd change the oil as soon as I got it home. I now see that could be a problem after reading about the use of break-in oil (I used plus-50 on the change). What I think I should do now is change the oil again and put brek-in oil back in...for the rest of the break-in period. First, do you agree I should do this...? and second, (if in agreement) where is an on-line source for JD break-in oil? The local dealer does not stock it and the dealer I bought the tractor from is a two hour drive.

Any advice (from anyone) is welcome.
Thanks,
Bill

 

[bigpete]

John--the key is to use break in oil for the full 50-100 hours. You can certainly change the oil and replace it with fresh break-in oil at the hours you have and still ensure the rings seat properly. I had a similar situation and was told by JD techs that was the way to go. You can pick up break-in oil at you dealer. It is sold by the gallon or drum.

 

[RoyJackson]

Break in oil is just a straight weight (30w) non-detergent oil. I'm sure the JD dealer would have it...also, most any parts store.
Just a straight weight non-detergent oil rated for diesel engines.

 

[bigpete]

I guess you could save a few bucks, but why on a brand new $15 k tractor? I would spend the extra 10-spot and buy the JD break-in oil because it is under warranty. Since the machine is still in the break-in and warranty period, if there were any problems and you had used a non-specified oil you might find yourself in a short, one-sided warranty discussion. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Here a link to some info from JD Product Support: John Deere Break-in Oil

 

[BillW50]

Thanks Guys

I checked the Frontier site and they are located in Canada. I'm located in Florida. Is there a source for break-in oil a little closer to home? I certainly don't want to have a warranty problem and want to stick with the JD break-in oil if possible.

If all else fails, I'll make the drive to Mariana and get it from the dealer I bougtht the tractor from (Sworinger-Lord). They seem to have just about everything...just a bit of a drive for me.

Thanks,
Bill