Working during break in period

[drj211]

I was able to purchase an L3301 and 525 FEL last month before the rebates got smaller. It was delivered a couple days ago with 0.7 hours on the tach! I've been having my kids drive the tractor around to build some time and break everything in.

We're at a little over five hours at this point and I need to do some finish mowing. I was wondering if you think operating the engine at PTO speed for about an hour is something to stay away from at this point. Any other helpful tips are appreciated.

 

[85Hokie]

I was able to purchase an L3301 and 525 FEL last month before the rebates got smaller. It was delivered a couple days ago with 0.7 hours on the tach! I've been having my kids drive the tractor around to build some time and break everything in.

We're at a little over five hours at this point and I need to do some finish mowing. I was wondering if you think operating the engine at PTO speed for about an hour is something to stay away from at this point. Any other helpful tips are appreciated.

Not sure what your max tach is, but go ahead and run that machine up to 2000-2200 rpms and get your grass cut!

It is one thing to not run the hell out of new machine, it is made to be used however - and those that go into the fleet service never get the early tlc - yours will be fine doing the little things that your are doing. After break-in, and remember, 50 is just a number - run your machine a little higher than you might think - why? It was designed to run at a higher rpm so all the pumps are moving fluid like they should, worst thing you can do to a diesel is "baby" it.....that is like cutting grass at above idle.....engine was not designed to cut grass at that speed, nor was the mower designed to cut at that speed.

It will not hurt it at all to run it up a bit to cut the grass!

 

[bxray]

Your manual should state what to run it at during breakin.
Usually 75%.

Go ahead and work it.
Cut grass, move dirt.
Diesel's need to be worked.
Ray

 

[Racer X]

Like the other guys say, the operator's manual should have guidance for operating parameters during break-in.

Usually, when breaking an engine in, you ned to work it at varying ranges of engine speed and load. So running it at 75% throttle while mowing would be great.

Me?

I'd try to run it at other throttle settings too, while working. Also, after working it, I would not simply return the throttle to idle and shut it down, Rather I would shut off the PTO, return the throttle to idle and let it run at idle for a minute or two and then shut it down.

 

[drj211]

Thanks for the advice.

I rechecked the manual. It is very basic for the "Operating a new tractor" section. It says "do not operate at full speed for the first 50 hours", and "do not run the engine at speeds faster than necessary." Pretty open to interpretation.

 

[8upbowhunter]

I ran mine between 2,000 rpm's and pto speed (2,400) while using my cutter when it had 2 hours on it.

 

[Dalroo]

When mine was new, I didn't worry about operating at PTO speed as that is about 85% for me. Just didn't go PTO+.

Everyone has an opinion, but I always go buy breaking in the way you will operate. Hasn't cased me any problems on any motor I've had. But again, lots of opinions on best practice, so to each his own.

 

[tcrote5516]

I did the same when mine was new. I would drop it down to 1800 and mow slow for 20min then 2k for 20min then 2,200 and then back to 18ish. Just keep the throttle moving below 2,200ish and it will be good.

 

[drj211]

I did the same when mine was new. I would drop it down to 1800 and mow slow for 20min then 2k for 20min then 2,200 and then back to 18ish. Just keep the throttle moving below 2,200ish and it will be good.

I just did almost the same when I mowed this morning. I alternated between 2k and 2.2k for the hour it took me to mow. Next time I mow, i'm going full PTO! Thanks for all the responses.

 

[bham]

regen is going to be a lot higher than pto speed so be prepared for that. you will need about 20 minutes of work to do during that time.

 

[8upbowhunter]

My pto speed is 2,400 rpm's and I have done regens as low as 1,800 rpm's. One time it was in the middle of a regen and I had a call come in and needed to answer it, put it in neutral with manual throttle set and brake on and walked off to talk. When I came back the regen was done so you don't really need to be working it hard to complete a regen, just satisfy the rpm and temperature requirements and it will do it's thing.


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[flyidaho]

regen is going to be a lot higher than pto speed so be prepared for that. you will need about 20 minutes of work to do during that time.

I was waiting for someone to mention that regen thing..... my 3301's regen idiot light forced me to throttle up, until it had, I guess, blew the carbon out. I didn't like it but I also don't worry much about it, these things are designed to be worked hard. 42.1 hrs total time now, first oil change at 50 coming soon.