New RTV Break-In

T

TechJunkie

Active member
So I have a question I hope the experts here can answer. I took delivery of my new X1140 and had it delivered about 3 miles from my home where I had a heated warehouse to install the options I had waiting for it. When completed I drove it home. I didn't really think too much about break-in, I just drove it and it did great averaging about 23mph on a cold day after being warm from the warehouse and then also letting the engine warm up before I started the drive.

When I got home I grabbed the manuals from under the seat and settled in for a nights reading. I then come across a page that says not to operate the machine at full speed for the first 50 hours. (Welp did that already) It also says not to start quickly nor apply the brakes suddenly. It also says to operate it at slower speeds for the first 50 hours and avoid excessive work or operation until the various parts become "broken-in". That the manner that the machine is "broken-in" greatly affects the life of the vehicle.

I bought this machine to use. 50 hours around my property will take some time. Is this just Kubota being overly cautious or do all of you really not run your machines very hard the first 50 hours? I can't imagine buying a tractor and not running it as intended for the first 50 hours, especially if you bought it to get work done. I don't want to damage my machine and I would like to get good long life out of it but waiting a year to really work it and use it as I intended is disappointing.

Input is welcome.
 
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Quit worrying over this. You bought the machine to USE…as we all did….and we all hauled-azz on it as soon as we got out-of-sight to the dealer. It’s a tough machine and it’ll do just fine and you haven’t hurt a thing.
 
Sounds so extreme I can't imagine anyone following those guidelines. I'll 2nd what Geohorn said. Enjoy your new workhorse.
 
nope not hut at all. best is to just vary the speed and rpm some. idle enough to cool down and shut off no long periods of idle. and an important note for these hst machines is always use kubota fluids in the transmission and if you don't reach the recommended service interval in hours then change the transmission oil and filters at least once per year.
 
I have the same problem. Trying to accumulate hours by just plowing light, not deep snow, doing some off road driving on deep snow, but moving slowly and varying engine speed and moving from 2 to 4 wheel drive and High and Low range. It is difficult to accumulate hours this way! When I purchased my first RTV I did exactly what they suggested and then at the 50 hours mark changed the filters as required and then opened them up to see how much debris was in them. I even changed the fluid and only a little bit of very fine iron powder was on the magnetic plug and virtually nothing in the filters. I think we don't need to "baby" them as much as Kubota suggests. I had 1750 hours on my 2015 X900 and 11,000 miles when I sold it last month and it was still operating as well as when it was new. I just love the cab on my X1100C which is why I sold my X900!
 
As others have said, best thing for break in is vary the RPM/speed. No worries about running it wide open.....just don't hold it pinned for hours on end. Some wide open throttle is actually good because it allows the piston to make the full travel in the cylinder.
And try to avoid excessive idling. Just idle for warm up and a bit of cool down.
 
aurthuritis said:
nope not hut at all. best is to just vary the speed and rpm some. idle enough to cool down and shut off no long periods of idle. and an important note for these hst machines is always use kubota fluids in the transmission and if you don't reach the recommended service interval in hours then change the transmission oil and filters at least once per year.
Click to expand...
Aurthuritis: I have a Kubota ZD326 mower. I only run Kubota filter and fluids. I figure if I am going to spend the money on the machine I will use the OEM supplies for service. My ZD has 1750 hours on it and looks basically brand new. I even repaint the left outside edge of the deck once a year where it gets scratched from edging. I have been accused of being OCD about maintenance. I bought the ZD used from a dealer so break-in wasn't an issue. I just wanted to double check with you all to get opinions. I really appreciate all the feedback!
 
OT question. Once the RTV is broke in does idling hurt?
When working around my property and I stop to do this or that. Usually 5 mins or less, I leave my RTV running. It's a diesel so I assumed better to leave it running than to turn it off,. Same with my tractor. Is this a bad habit that I should break?
 
I would say that once it is warmed up, and it isn't cold out, turning it off is best. Less fuel used, less buildup of soot in muffler and less pollution. I, like you, too often leave my machine running when I think that it will be a quick stop and then 5 minutes later I realize the project requires a bit more than I thought! Now that I have a radio I may end up leaving the machine running just so I can listen. I don't want to void my warranty by rewiring the radio so I can run it without the engine running.
 
i wouldn't shut the engine off for a stop of a few minutes. letting diesels idle rather than shutting them off is an old myth. one practice i adhere to though is letting the engine cool a little before shutting it off after working it. to much idle will wet stack a diesel.
 
My 2 cents (thoughts).

TechJunkie - You said you have a ZD326. The engine in that isn't identical to the RTV but I'd guess it's in the same general class of Kubota diesel engines. You really can't do a break-in for a ZTR as you'll be running it at full operating RPM's so you can do your mowing. I agree with the other posts about varying things but do wonder if running it wide open for an extended period like when mowing would really hurt anything.

As for turning the engine off instead of idling, my personal preference (it's a preference, not necessarily what's right for the engine) is to shut it off if it's going to be more than a couple minutes. I do this for the RTV, ATV, tractor, ZTR, truck... My reasoning is a mental/physical thing. If I leave the engine running, I find myself rushing to complete whatever task(s) I have to do that got me off the machine. I'm getting old and am retired so I have time. If the engine is off, I take my sweet ass time. If I leave it running, I feel compelled to work faster to avoid idling time which really isn't my style anymore. I can rush to fill a trailer full of firewood while an engine is running or just do it at a pace more commensurate to my age and physical capabilities. I fully expect these machines to out last me so I'm not too concerned about what's perfectly right for the machine.
 
all of the engines i was around that ran unattended weather idle or full throttle had murphey switches to protect them from overheating or low oil pressure amongst other things to prevent catastrophic loss. i have seen farmers leave their diesel pickups idle at the feed store etc blow a hose and lock up the engine while they were inside. it is always best to shut the engine off unless you are working around close. in my opinion.

breaking in is much over rated. i wouldn't worry about it but i would change the oil at 50. or six months
 
The people here have taught me: 1) Do your service work on time 2) Use Kubota fluids and filters 3) Fluid film will prevent rust on the things that will always rust 4) Always use tires that are load-rated to carry the weight of the RTV, the pasengers, the rated payload and then some. 5. Spend (your) money freely on accessories. Do these things and you will have a happy relationship with your RTV. Congratulations!
 
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