x720 8 hr oil change observations

[Dashe]

Finally after a month and a half, I reached the 8 hour mark on my tractor. Draining the oil is very easy, JD did a great job by providing the plastic tube that allows you to drain the old oil into a container without getting it all over the tractor or the floor. However, I was very surprised to see that the oil was chocolate brown in color. It looked clean on the dip stick. Removing the oil filter was easy also but the filter is on rather snug. Using an oil wrench made the job easy. The small tray under the filter helped but a piece of cardboard is needed to keep the oil from getting on the floor. I recommend changing the oil at the hour mark, I think mine needed it. No more maintence work for another 42 hours....kind of sucks.

 

[JD 420]

If the oil was dirty at 8 hrs. 40 hrs may be to much on the oil change interval. Hopefully j d isn't like Chevrolet and there failed oil life monitoring system that does nothing but cause problems and engin sludge

 

[Dashe]

I thought about it and I think the oil has picked all the water based cutting oils and small metal parts from machining. I quess that is one reason for the 8 hour oil change. I will keep an eye on it for a while.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

When you look at oil on the stick you are looking through a thin film and often have a shiny surface reflecting back at you. When you look at oil being drained or in the pan you are looking at a much thicker cross section, therefore the transparency is lessened. Sight is a poor assessment of an oil's condition. It's only a generalization. Analysis by a lab is what is needed for a true assessment.

Early and frequent oil changes on new equipment can be beneficial.

 

[WilliamBos]

If the oil was dirty at 8 hrs. 40 hrs may be to much on the oil change interval. Hopefully j d isn't like Chevrolet and there failed oil life monitoring system that does nothing but cause problems and engin sludge

You had a sludge problem? That is why I go by miles, nothing else.

 

[JD 420]

I have been a g m tech at a dealer for 15 years. I can say from in the field experience that the oil life system flat sucks. Oil changes every 3 k is the golden rule of maintenance and gm says you don't have to do it anymore and it doesn't do anything but cause problems. Sadly I would be reluctant to buy any truck newer than a 99 with out some serious maintance records and inspection of the common rust areas. Being a Ohio resident and there obsession with way to much road salt for know reason they just don't seem to last like the older trucks.

 

[WilliamBos]

I have been a g m tech at a dealer for 15 years. I can say from in the field experience that the oil life system flat sucks. Oil changes every 3 k is the golden rule of maintenance and gm says you don't have to do it anymore and it doesn't do anything but cause problems. Sadly I would be reluctant to buy any truck newer than a 99 with out some serious maintance records and inspection of the common rust areas. Being a Ohio resident and there obsession with way to much road salt for know reason they just don't seem to last like the older trucks.

That is why I only buy GM optimum used, warranty is nice. I cringe at high mileage newer used too. Not into extending oil change intervals at all.
Krown is my best friend, only way to undercoat!

 

[JD 420]

I have a 97 z71 from Seattle Washington with 36k on it never been undercoated and it looks like the day it rolled off the assembly line. And also 2000 1 ton dually from michigan with 48 k on it and the there is a night and day difference in them. The salty environment is terrible for vehicles. Luckily I have a garage for both of them and a old beater truck for the winter. I'm pretty particular about my stuff and it is way to expensive to replace to just let it rust away. I see it everyday peaple just destroy 60k vehicles like its know big deal. No one seems to take any pride in what they have.

 

[JD2007]

The 8 hour break-in oil change is recommended by John Deere to get the break-in oil out of the the engine that was in it from the factory & it typically does look like the chocolate milk color the OP described. Break-in oil helps with piston ring seating & other things on a new or rebuilt engine but shouldn't be ran very long before normal engine oil should be used. Hope this helps & congrats on the x720 :thumbsup: