Hours for engine break in
- Thread starter NCI
- Start date
If she's new then just run the RPMs up and down and try not to keep it at one steady speed for really long times,, at least that's what I was told,,,,
the mech I talked to. said run it like you do your bike,, run it like you stole it,,, I have, and she runs like a champ,, so take your pick slow and easy or work it, seems either way works,, HOWEVER,, when you do your maintenance use the good stuff don't cheap out, that's what will do ya in
the mech I talked to. said run it like you do your bike,, run it like you stole it,,, I have, and she runs like a champ,, so take your pick slow and easy or work it, seems either way works,, HOWEVER,, when you do your maintenance use the good stuff don't cheap out, that's what will do ya in
The manual says 50 hours.
But, it will depend on how the tractor is used and run. Run it at all speeds and loads that it may encounter during its life but for limited times.
Above all, don't baby it.
But, it will depend on how the tractor is used and run. Run it at all speeds and loads that it may encounter during its life but for limited times.
Above all, don't baby it.
BAP
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
TripleR
Active member
Equipment
BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
I have found going by the manual allows me to do everything I need to do and I get good longevity out of my machines. I work mine from the day I get them and allow cool down and vary RPM periodically.
I believe the manual says not to run over 75% of max rpm's until after the 50 hr service and then only run rpm's needed to do the job. Diesels do like a period of low rpm's after running hard before shutting off.
I just lost a big long post, and I'm not going to retype it. The tractor started using oil at 75 hrs. I've changed oil and filter again according to dealer. Still used oil. Dealer took it in to check it. Kubota says it's far from broken in and the rings aren't fully seated. I've added 19-20 ounces of oil, it now has 134 hrs. and down another 1/4 inch on dipstick. The dealer has been wonderful. I have no reason to doubt Kubota Corp. word. I was just wondering how long to break in fully and stop oil consumption. Thanks for all your input.
This thread may be winding down, but I'd like to add an observation.
I tend to haunt tractor dealerships within a hundred miles or so of our place always looking for a better deal. Doing so I've struck up conversations with a number of technicians and mechanics and independent shops that work on all colors equipment.
The general consensus is that top-line diesels are probably going to run about 5,000-hrs before needing major internal engine work. This is variable and dependent on the level of care.
A 2,000-hr engine is consistently referred to as being 'low time'.
Realistically, very few non-commercial owners are going to hit 2,000-hrs on a machine bought new, at least in the first twenty or thirty years or so. More of us probably use our machines for convenience than for making a living (in the sense of being in the seat one standard work year (2,087-hrs)) per year.
'Convenience' itself might be up for discussion. Like you, I ""could"" use a $1,300 gasoline 8-N, but it sure wouldn't be as 'convenient'.
On the topic of engine break-in, I've heard more than once "500-hrs" to get a proper break-in period. Which happens to be 10% of the supposed 5,000-hr estimated total life. I don't know if the two are related or where the 500-hrs comes from, but it seems to be a common number.
Blend into this thought process that (what I consider) truly high-time equipment still brings premium prices and it makes you wonder what total life actually is and therefore if the 10% for break-in holds true.
Couple months ago I was floored at the prices highly used Cat backhoes brought at auction that showed 7,000-hrs + on the meters (that were still working or at least working at that moment of sale). I'd argue that Cat and Kubota are in the same commercial class, regardless of size of machine and the intended use of that machine.
I personally know owners of green iron that was bought new in the early sixties that are still running, never been shopped, and have rolled their meters over all in pursuit of small-to-mid-scale cattle farming. Total life? Break-in period in comparison? I don't know the answer.
But I am interested in hearing thoughts of others on this topic.
I tend to haunt tractor dealerships within a hundred miles or so of our place always looking for a better deal. Doing so I've struck up conversations with a number of technicians and mechanics and independent shops that work on all colors equipment.
The general consensus is that top-line diesels are probably going to run about 5,000-hrs before needing major internal engine work. This is variable and dependent on the level of care.
A 2,000-hr engine is consistently referred to as being 'low time'.
Realistically, very few non-commercial owners are going to hit 2,000-hrs on a machine bought new, at least in the first twenty or thirty years or so. More of us probably use our machines for convenience than for making a living (in the sense of being in the seat one standard work year (2,087-hrs)) per year.
'Convenience' itself might be up for discussion. Like you, I ""could"" use a $1,300 gasoline 8-N, but it sure wouldn't be as 'convenient'.
On the topic of engine break-in, I've heard more than once "500-hrs" to get a proper break-in period. Which happens to be 10% of the supposed 5,000-hr estimated total life. I don't know if the two are related or where the 500-hrs comes from, but it seems to be a common number.
Blend into this thought process that (what I consider) truly high-time equipment still brings premium prices and it makes you wonder what total life actually is and therefore if the 10% for break-in holds true.
Couple months ago I was floored at the prices highly used Cat backhoes brought at auction that showed 7,000-hrs + on the meters (that were still working or at least working at that moment of sale). I'd argue that Cat and Kubota are in the same commercial class, regardless of size of machine and the intended use of that machine.
I personally know owners of green iron that was bought new in the early sixties that are still running, never been shopped, and have rolled their meters over all in pursuit of small-to-mid-scale cattle farming. Total life? Break-in period in comparison? I don't know the answer.
But I am interested in hearing thoughts of others on this topic.
Thanks Stubbyie. 500 hrs. sounds like a reasonable number. All I know is Kubota said at 120 hrs. it was far from being broken in. They also said run at full throttle when mowing. I had been running at 3,043 engine rpm's to get 2500 mid-PTO rpm's. Like my dealer said, run it like you own it! Thanks again.
10-15000 hrs is considered normal for industrial diesels. Kubota's would hardly fit this catagory but they can do it under ideal operating conditions. Most tractors on this forum get used in less than ideal conditions but should still make 2-3000 hrs. You can check with your local dealership but I don't think using a proper break in oil such as what JD supplies for all there engines will be a problem with Kubota. I suspect in your case you have a poor breakin that put a slight glaze on the cylinders. Using a break in oil will help get rid of the glaze before it becomes permanent. Working your engine long and hard for extended periods will help give your engine a proper break in.
Back to a previous statement: Break-in is related to how the tractor is used.
If the tractor is putzed around pulling a garden trailer then it will take a long time to fully break in.
If doing ground-engaging work at high RPMs or running a PTO-driven implement then it will take much less time. The mowing described is good if it is heavy grass and done often.
So, more information is needed. How has the tractor been used for the majority of its hours?
My dealer told me a story about one of his customers with the same issue. The tractor was burning oil and smoking. Kubota looked it over and told the owner to run the he|| out of the engine. It quit burning oil and smoking within 10 hours.
If the tractor is putzed around pulling a garden trailer then it will take a long time to fully break in.
If doing ground-engaging work at high RPMs or running a PTO-driven implement then it will take much less time. The mowing described is good if it is heavy grass and done often.
So, more information is needed. How has the tractor been used for the majority of its hours?
My dealer told me a story about one of his customers with the same issue. The tractor was burning oil and smoking. Kubota looked it over and told the owner to run the he|| out of the engine. It quit burning oil and smoking within 10 hours.
Last edited: