Turbo's - Something to Avoid?

Bill VA · Sep 7, 2014

In my consideration for a second tractor, I'm seeing some used tractors with turbo's on the engines.

Question is - is a turbo a desired item or something that is problematic and expensive to repair, especially on a used/older tractor?

Thanks!
Bill

Tx Jim · Sep 7, 2014

A tractor having a turbo wouldn't slow me down from purchasing it if everything else passed my inspection. I own a JD 4255 with nearly 11,000 hrs with the original turbo.

Allan in NE · Sep 7, 2014

You want the turbo. Promise. :>)

Allan

Bob Bancroft · Sep 7, 2014

I don't think you'll ever get the economy and performance from a naturally aspirated engine as you will from a turbo'd one. Of the several I have owned, I have replaced one turbo. Neither difficult or expensive.
I suppose performance is not an issue for a lot of smaller applications.

Billy Shafer · Sep 7, 2014

The Turbo is a good thing to have. Can out last the engine. If you take proper care of it.

Let the engine idle for a few minutes. To let the turbo wind down to a safe rpm for stopping.

Don't do the hot rod thing. Rev the engine up and then cut it off.Because then you end up. With a turbo at a very high rpm with no oil. They don't like that and will prove it. By giving you a very high repair bill.

JD Seller · Sep 7, 2014

Like the other fellows have posted a turbo on a diesel is desirable. Better fuel economy and usually quieter.

Dean · Sep 7, 2014

I would not buy a tractor with an aftermarket, add-on turbo but tractors supplied with OEM turbos are designed for such.

That said, being old school, and recognizing that I am probably in the current minority, I prefer cubic inches to turbos.

Given the choice of a naturally aspirated, relatively high CI, relatively low RPM engine of a given HP vis a vis a turbocharged engine of similar HP, I would always choose the NA engine.

A turbocharger is yet another (unnecessary) high dollar item that will eventually need repair or replacement. Being an old school hot rodder, I still believe in the old adage: There is no replacement for displacement.

Note: The above ignores meddling federal regulations that change the paradigm entirely (and unnecessarily).

Dean

pete 23 · Sep 7, 2014

A tractor is basically designed for a given horse power with a margin. Everybody wants more power and easiest way is to add a turbo charger. If it was used just to increase fuel economy and maybe lower exhaust temp a bit, add on turbos are great. How many use them that way though. Always had a lot more service problems with add on jobs than the factory installations. Didn't matter if I put them on or other shops, just more problems. Cooling systems, oiling systems, air cleaners and then the power train. Just more problems. I am not afraid of turbos but I am not a fan of add on's. One great example is the engine in a IH 986 or 186 Hydrostatic drive. They put in a 436 and left the horse power basically the same as the naturally aspirated 414 was in the 966 to improve the fuel economy. Putting a turbo on that engine gives you a lot of room for added power but the power train on both gear drive and hydrostatic don't like it much.

DeltaRed · Sep 7, 2014

Yep,you want a turbo.No problems if cared for and traeted right.My 706 was turboed at 6000 hrs with a used turbo.It now has over 11,000 troublefree hrs,and turns (tested) 96 hp.That sure woke it up!So....More power,less noise,less oil consumption,better fuel economy.All plusses

Turbo's - Something to Avoid?

Bill VA

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Tx Jim

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Allan in NE

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Bob Bancroft

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Billy Shafer

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JD Seller

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Dean

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pete 23

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DeltaRed

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