Opinions-Avg hours before overhaul?

Some few go at 3000, and others last 10,000 like you say, but I figure about 5000 if it isn't showing signs, it will in the next 1000.....

--->Paul

There's a huge difference between 5000 hours of cutting, raking and baling hay, and 5000 hours pulling a deep ripper.

Then there's a big difference in todays tractors vs. ones made, say, in the 1950's. Todays modern diesels just hold up better.

I have an old 4020 that spent its first 10 years plowing, discing, and pulling a 2 row silage chopper. It needed rebuilding at 4000 hours. It now has over 11000 and is running like new.

My 4440 has around 7000 hours of pulling a notill planter and drill, along with some hay work. I had the pan pulled last year, and the bottom end is as tight as the day it was built new. It still dyno's at the same HP it did new. Obviously, no need for an overhaul.

Then there's dads old Massey Ferguson 50 I have now. When the first tach broke, it was showing over 9000 hours. I put a new tach on it years ago. It has over 5000 MORE hours. The little Continental gas engine is still plugging along fine. All it ever did was cut hay, pull a rake, and run augers. (Maybe some bush hogging along the way)

Point is...There is no "magic number" when an engine is ready to be overhauled....John

Crankshaft bearings need to be looked at and probably replaced at 5,000 hours. The rest of 'er will more than likely make that 10,000 hour mark fairly easily, if it is well maintained.

The crank is where the load shows up on an engine and more so on a diesel, because of their higher torque and lugging ability.

If you are using the tractor in tractor pulls, I'd check 'em at 10 to 15 minute intervals. :>)

Allan