I've made the switch!! Gas to Diesel

I've been running a small hay operation the last 2 years with primarily just 2 tractors, a Farmall 400 and a 706, both gassers. I chose gas tractors because I am completely comfortable around a gas engine as I've tuned and overhauled (re-ring kits and bearings) several gassers. Diesels intimidated me and I was actually a little scared of them. I wasn't sure I could diagnose engine issues or repair them. I also didn't want to stock another fuel barrel, a different engine oil, etc. I was just easier to run gassers, they were also cheaper tractors to purchase. Then last fall I was in the market for a skidloader and I definelty did not want a gas skidloader. I ended up with a S-175 Bobcat with a diesel engine. Soooo, stock 15w-40 motor oil and keep diesel fuel around. Then I looked back at the amount of gas i bought last year and decided that maybe I should at least consider running a diesel engine tractor primarily just for fuel savings. I found a non-running Farmall 460 diesel. This was in February. I figured I had 3 monthes to learn what diesel engines were all about. The 460 didn't need much, just a set of fuel filters, some new glow plugs, a new sediment bowl, new fuel in the tank and a starter rebuild. After a bunch of messing around, she fired up! Smoked out the entire shop! I was instantly hooked on a diesel engine. I just love the sound of it running and even more love the sound of cracking the throttle. I love the low idle and the torque twist of shutting them down. I am now over my fear of them and actually welcome the challenge of tuning and working on them. The biggest difference is really just fuel delivery. Not that bigga deal. I'm gonna use the 460 to cut and rake hay, also to run the small square baler. Anyhow, about this time I found a 756 Diesel on a local jockeys lot. This jockey is a friend of mine so I headed over to look at it. it was too cold to start that day but I was instantly in love. It was 3 weeks before I got to hear it run, what an amazing engine that 310 is. Very smooth running. After just a bit of negotiation, I told my friend I would take it if he could get it to shift a bit better. That was 2 weeks ago. Today he called, said he had it done and could deliver it today. It showed up at 5pm tonight!! I am just stoked to learn more about it. I can't wait to change filters and fluids, etc and just get to know this girl. She'll be used mostly for round baling, I hope to do some tillage with it this fall, but we'll see how things go. I'm really looking forward to this haying season. I'll try to post some pics of the new toys soon.

Now, what to do with the gassers? I'll probably keep 'em around. They have earned their keep. But I bet I'll have alot more seat time on those diesels!!

Good move.

I love those 56 series.

Congratulations! You'll love the economy of those diesels. One thing for you to consider though. You mentioned stocking 15w40 oil for your bobcat. Those older IH diesels prefer straight 30w oil. A lot of guys get along fine with multiweight oils but I've seen a lot of problems too. If you want the best for them then you better stock a third barral of 30w oil.

Casey in SD

I have never heard of them needing 30w oil. I sold fuel and Valvoline oil for 27 yrs. Had one customer came in and the guys loaded the wrong barrel for him. Gave him 10X40 car oil, instead of 15X40 diesel oil. He had a 966 and a 1086, and a 715 Combine. Nobody knew till I delivered another barrel the next year! Everything made it fine on the 10X40 Series 1. He used the entire 55 gal. Vic

Its a lot better than steam. I run a hay operation as well went diesel a few years back
Anyone want to buy some gassers?

Operator manual for my 2090 Case recommends only straight grade oils, no multi grades. So I have used #30 diesel engine oil for the past 30 years. Maybe it would have been ok with multi grade 15w-40 but I'll never know now.

Diesels have a lot going for them, for sure. I only have one diesel farm tractor, a DB990, and it's a fuel sipper compared to the gassers I have. I'd really love a 30-35hp diesel for bush hogging, raking, etc. Someday.

But, the gassers still get a lot of use. Something like a VAC Case is a pretty miserly rig to run if tuned right with a good carb. For that matter, my Cockshutt 30 propane is a fuel hog when you do any real work with it, but propane is a lot cheaper than gas or diesel, just harder to work with.

In the end, my horses still use less fuel and far cheaper fuel than any tractor! :lol:

Yea but when you cut the tractor off it quits eating.The tractors I make hay with haven't eaten anything since October how about your horses?(LOL)

You are gonna be amazed at how much fuel they DON'T use. :>)

Allan

We've always used straight SAE30 IH #1 diesel oil in the diesels, up until the 5220 Maxxum arrived on the farm. It gets 15W40.

Since then the 1066's engine was replaced so it gets 15W40 now.

Only thing that gets straight SAE30 now is the 856.

Case and IH both call for 30w oil in their engines before the CDC engines . If my oil dealer didn't know this i'd find a new supplier.

Don't worry about using 15W40 oil. IH had a service publication that OKed using it rather than straight weight oil. Just need to change oil a little more often; every 100 hrs.

A friend of mine has a 9630T and a 9530T. Before he chipped them, they were burning 26.4 GPH and 24.5 GPH after he chipped them. But they get a lot of work done pulling soil finishers. Thats about what my 2011 F250 with the new 6.7 burns, which equals around 13 MPG.

(quoted from post at 04:25:14 05/02/13) Yea but when you cut the tractor off it quits eating.The tractors I make hay with haven't eaten anything since October how about your horses?(LOL)

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But you turn them out into rough pasture and woods and they eat stuff you can't even get too. And they reproduce! Show me a tractor that can do that! :lol:

We have a Tucker SnoCat with a 5.9 cummins for getting around in the back country in the winter.
My uncle serviced it one fall, and being a doctor, not a farmer, just got 10-40 gasoline engine oil, instead of diesel rated oil. I started using after the snow flew, and would only make about 15 psi oil pressure. After it warmed up, the oil pressure would drop to near zero at idle.
Couldn't figure it out.
Engine only has about 2k hours on it...
Looked in the basement and saw the partial case of GASOLINE engine oil AH HA! Brought up a few gallons of Delo 15-40 and changed it out. Oil pressure went to near 50 running and only dropped to 15 after it idled down. So I have a tough time believing that everything was just fine running that gasoline oil in working tractors...

Ben