Oil during breakin

My Vote would be to run it enough to get it good and hot before worrying about the oil. If your engine was hot tanked or pressure washed, and then assembled with care, you are ahead of the game compared to an inframe overhaul like I did on our 48A. The only thing I do check on every engine coming back from a machine shop is to clean all oil passages with solvent and compressed air or even a brass brush (gun cleaning kit) run through everything. Had to rebuild an engine a second time because of contamination in the crankshaft oil passages and do not want to ever have that happen again.

I expect the assembly lube is responsible for the off color, but do note that diesel oil isn't going to stay clear long, especially with rings seating etc. It won't get dirty as fast as if you had just changed the oil in an engine with some hours where you never get rid of all the old oil and carbon; and the oil is simply picking up carbon which is already in the oil passages and pan etc, but the oil will get dirty pretty quickly from the excessive blow-by until the rings seat.

At $12.00 to $14.00 per gallon for good quality oil if you are worried about it drain it out and start over. It will be worth the peace of mind.
Also, I would recommend break in oil for the first 100 hours to make sure the rings seat into the liners. If you start out with premium oil and the rings do not seat, the engine will likely always consume some oil.

Oil capacity is probably about 7.5 gallons for your tractor engine.

Great responses guys and just what I needed to hear on quantities and my concern about color. Appreciate you guys passing along lessons learned.

What is breakin oil? I only ever heard of straight 30wt being called for, but if something else makes the rings seat better i am all ears.

Break in oil is not required or recommended.
Straight SAE 30 wt is correct.
Follow these instructions....

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/servicesupport/tips/augusta/5000/pf_understandingoil.html

You might like to read this article from Deere Co.
This is the procedure we used on a re manufactured Deere engine replacement for a 9760 Harvester.

[quote="fordhook"]http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/servicesupport/tips/augusta/5000/pf_understandingoil.html

You might like to read this article from Deere Co.
This is the procedure we used on a re manufactured Deere engine replacement for a 9760 Harvester.[/quote]

thanks for the link fordhook, that was interesting reading.

In the past 5 years, I have done Startups and Load Testing on approximately 800 3500series Gensets.
Only 3 have had extensive issues with mechanical failures.
At which point the Local Distributor has in Technicians to Overhaul with me assisting.
I have asked about "Break-In" oil, CAT doesn't use it is what I am told.
There is a Blacklight compatible Dye in the oil to assist in spotting leaks but that is the only extra additive.
The oil is monitored via analysis by the Customer for issues.

Like OM says, "Breakin with what you are going to run"

Thanks for all the replies. Will keep reporting back as things develop.