The First Four Hours

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2002

My new DK40 now has just over 5 hours on it(there was .9 on it at delivery).The first 2 I put on it was just play time(isn't it all) using the FEL moving some dirt and horse manure.This past Saturday I spent 2Hrs. using the rotary mower on the pasture it looks great.My only question is what RPM should I be running the tractor at when mowing ?I kept it between 1500 and 1800 but the mower seemed to be going too slow.After I was done I reread the manual it says to get 540 PTO RPM engine RPM should be 2451.That seems pretty fast on a new engine.Would apreciate any advice or opinions.

Mike

BTI · May 14, 2002

If you do what the book says you'll be fine. Don't lug it or over-rev it.
BTI

Tscott · May 15, 2002

Mike D, i felt the same way, The rpm's seemed to high. I keep mine at about 1800 and use the foot throttle for additional rpm's when necessary and it seems to work fine.

Miklos · May 15, 2002

Congratulations on the new purchase.

1500-1800 rpm will be too slow to properly cut. 1800 rpm engine is only 396 pto rpm, 1500 rpm = 330 rpm pto. However, your manual, like the manual for my LK3504, should recommend that you do not run at full pto speed during break in period. It listed max engine rpm for xx hours.

Good luck and have fun with your new toy.

woodmills1 · May 15, 2002

the tachometer on my lk3054 has a line mark at what will give 540 pto rpm, it is nearly 2500. the tracktor is much more powerful at that rpm so you can use a lower gear and get same speed but actually have more power. however you do use more fuel. I bump mine up to 2700 rpm when I am using the log grapple. better lift and faster movements.

DK35vince · May 15, 2002

Mike D.
I seem to be the opposite,2500 rpm seems slow.
I'm always holding back trying not to go over that for break in.

jb112454 · May 16, 2002

I ran my DK35 at 2400 brush hogging the first 100 hours. It seems to work fine there and I don't think I over speeded the engine at all since the rated HP is at 2700-2800 RPM. Lugging the engine is probaly worse on it than high RPM. I have a friend that has a MF1250 and was lugging the engine while brush hogging and it over heated.