The John Deere 6068T is a 5.4 L 6-cylinder water cooled engine rated at 1800 rpm, producing up to 112 kW. It powers generator sets from John Deere, including the 6068TF120, ML100JDNKD and ML85JDNKD.
Also known as: JOHN DEERE 6068T
| Displacement | 5.4 L |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Aspiration | water cooled |
| Rated speed | 1800 rpm |
| Gross power | 112 kW |
| Item | Action | Hours | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil and Oil Filter | Change | 250 hr | 6 mo | First service — First change before 100 hours maximum of break-in operation |
| Engine oil and filter | Change | 100 hr | First service — First service: change at maximum 100 hours of break-in operation | |
| Battery | Check | 250 hr | 6 mo | Service battery |
| Battery | Other | 250 hr | 6 mo | Service battery |
| Engine Mounts | Check | 250 hr | 6 mo | |
| Fire Extinguisher | Other | 250 hr | 250 Hour/6 Month; also inspect once a month | |
| Fire extinguisher | Check | 250 hr | 6 mo | Standard industrial engines; at least once a month |
| Manual Belt Tensioner and Belt Wear | Check | 250 hr | 6 mo | |
| Air Intake Hoses, Connections, & System | Check | 500 hr | 12 mo | |
| Automatic Belt Tensioner and Belt Wear | Check | 500 hr | 12 mo | |
| Coolant solution analysis - add SCAs as required | Test | 500 hr | 12 mo | Test every 500 hours or 12 months |
| Cooling System | Check | 500 hr | 12 mo | |
| Cooling System | Test | 500 hr | 12 mo | Pressure test cooling system |
| Crankcase Vent Tube | Clean | 500 hr | 12 mo | Clean more often in dusty conditions |
| Engine Electrical Ground Connection | Check | 500 hr | 12 mo | |
| Engine speeds | Check | 500 hr | 12 mo | |
| Fuel Filter Element | Replace | 500 hr | 12 mo | Bleed fuel system |
| Single or dual fuel filter elements | Replace | 500 hr | 12 mo | |
| Cooling System | Other | 2000 hr | 24 mo | Flush; with COOL-GARD extend to 3000 hours/36 months, or 5000 hours/60 months if tested annually and SCAs replenished |
| Cooling system | Drain | 2000 hr | 24 mo | Flush/refill; with COOL-GARD extend to 3000 hours or 36 months; to 5000 hours or 60 months if tested annually and SCAs replenished |
| Crankshaft vibration damper (6.8 L engines) | Check | 2000 hr | 24 mo | Replace every 4500 hours or 60 months, whichever occurs first |
| Engine valve clearance | Adjust | 2000 hr | 24 mo | Check and adjust |
| Thermostats | Test | 2000 hr | 24 mo | |
| Variable speed (droop) (generator sets) | Adjust | 2000 hr | 24 mo | Generator (standby) applications |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
| Type | Item | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearance | Air Cleaner Neck to Engine Intake—Overlap | 38 mm (1.5 in) | mm | |
| Clearance | Exhaust Valve Clearance For Adjusting (Rocker Arm-to-Valve Tip) | 0.46 mm (0.018 in.) | mm | engine COLD |
| Clearance | Exhaust Valve Clearance For Checking (Rocker Arm-to-Valve Tip) | 0.41—0.48 mm (0.016—0.019 in.) | mm | engine COLD |
| Clearance | Intake Valve Clearance For Adjusting (Rocker Arm-to-Valve Tip) | 0.36 mm (0.014 in.) | mm | engine COLD |
| Clearance | Intake Valve Clearance For Checking (Rocker Arm-to-Valve Tip) | 0.31—0.38 mm (0.012—0.015 in.) | mm | engine COLD |
| Clearance | Vibration Damper—Maximum Radial Runout | 1.50 mm (0.060 in.) | mm | engine at operating temperature |
| Clearance | Vibration damper maximum radial runout | 1.50 | mm | engine at operating temperature |
| Other | Air cleaner neck to engine intake overlap | 38 | mm | |
| Other | Auxiliary gear drive, continuous operation at 2500 rpm | 30 | kW | continuous |
| Other | Auxiliary gear drive, intermittent operation at 2500 rpm | 37 | kW | intermittent |
| Other | Coolant capacity, 4.5 L engine | 8.5 | L | |
| Other | Coolant capacity, 6.8 L engine | 11.3 | L | |
| Other | Firing order, 4-cylinder | 1-3-4-2 | ||
| Other | Firing order, 6-cylinder | 1-5-3-6-2-4 | ||
| Other | Governor regulation (generator) | 5 | % | |
| Other | Governor regulation (industrial) | 7—10 | % | |
| Other | Max crank pressure | 0.5 | kPa | |
| Other | New belt tension | 470—650 | N | manual belt tensioner, new belt |
| Other | Used belt tension | 400—580 | N | manual belt tensioner, used belt |
| Pressure | 8-Rib Poly-Vee Belt—Bosch and New Magneton Alternator New Belt Tension | 535—715 | N (120—160 lb-force) | new belt |
| Pressure | Air intake restriction (maximum) | 6.25 kPa (0.06 bar) (1.0 psi) (25 in. H2O) | kPa | |
| Pressure | Engine Oil Pressure at Full Load Rated Speed | 345 ± 103 kPa (3.45 ± 1.03 bar) (50 ± 15 psi) | kPa | normal operating temperature of 115°C (240°F) sump |
| Pressure | Engine oil pressure at full load rated speed | 345 ± 103 | kPa | at full load rated speed, normal operating temperature 115°C (240°F) sump |
| Pressure | Minimum Oil Pressure at 850 rpm | 105 kPa (1.05 bar) (15 psi) | kPa | at 850 rpm |
| Pressure | Minimum Oil Pressure at Rated Speed | 275 (2.75 bar) (40 psi) | kPa | |
| Pressure | Minimum oil pressure at 850 rpm | 105 | kPa | at 850 rpm |
| Pressure | Minimum oil pressure at rated speed | 275 | kPa | at rated speed |
| Pressure | New Belt—Tension | 535—715 | N (120—160 lb-force) | new belt |
| Pressure | Old Magneton Alternator New Belt (Option Code 3101) Tension | 470—650 | N (105—145 lb-force) | new belt |
| Pressure | Radiator Cap Holding Pressure (Not Opening For 10 Seconds) | 70 kPa (0.7 bar) (10 psi) minimum | kPa | hold 10 seconds |
| Pressure | Radiator cap holding pressure (not opening for 10 seconds) | 70 | kPa | minimum, 10 seconds |
| Speed | Slow Idle Speed (factory) | 850 | rpm | |
| Speed | Slow idle speed | 850 | rpm | factory |
| Temperature | Automatic engine shutdown coolant temperature | 115 | °C | if equipped with safety controls |
| Temperature | Coolant Temperature Range | 82°–94°C (180°–202°F) | °C | |
| Temperature | Coolant temperature range | 82–94 | °C | normal operating range |
| Temperature | Coolant temperature to reduce load | 112 | °C | reduce load if exceeded |
| Temperature | Radiator shutters fully open coolant temperature | 93 | °C | |
| Temperature | Thermostat 71°C (160°F) Full Open (Nominal) | 84°C (182°F) | °C | |
| Temperature | Thermostat 71°C (160°F) Initial Opening (Range) | 69—72°C (156—162°F) | °C | |
| Temperature | Thermostat 71°C rating - full open (nominal) | 84 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 71°C rating - initial opening range | 69—72 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 77°C (170°F) Full Open (Nominal) | 89°C (192°F) | °C | |
| Temperature | Thermostat 77°C (170°F) Initial Opening (Range) | 74—78°C (166—172°F) | °C | |
| Temperature | Thermostat 77°C rating - full open (nominal) | 89 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 77°C rating - initial opening range | 74—78 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 82°C (180°F) Full Open (Nominal) | 94°C (202°F) | °C | |
| Temperature | Thermostat 82°C (180°F) Initial Opening (Range) | 80—84°C (175—182°F) | °C | |
| Temperature | Thermostat 82°C rating - full open (nominal) | 94 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 82°C rating - initial opening range | 80—84 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 89°C rating - full open (nominal) | 101 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 89°C rating - initial opening range | 86—90 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 90°C rating - full open (nominal) | 103 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 90°C rating - initial opening range | 89—93 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 92°C rating - full open (nominal) | 105 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 92°C rating - initial opening range | 89—93 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 96°C rating - full open (nominal) | 100 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 96°C rating - initial opening range | 94—97 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 99°C rating - full open (nominal) | 111 | °C | thermostat test |
| Temperature | Thermostat 99°C rating - initial opening range | 96—100 | °C | thermostat test |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
| Fluid | Grade | Standard | Ambient | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coolant | Ethylene glycol base coolant | ASTM D6210 | Freeze protection: 40%=-24°C (-12°F); 50%=-37°C (-34°F); 60%=-52°C (-62°F) | ||
| Coolant | John Deere COOL-GARD II / COOL-GARD II PG pre-mix | ASTM D6210 | Or concentrate in 40—60% mixture with quality water. Do not use less than 40% or greater than 60% concentrate. | ||
| Coolant | John Deere COOL-GARD Prediluted Coolant (preferred); John Deere COOL-GARD Coolant Concentrate 40-60% mixture with quality water | ASTM D5345 (prediluted) / ASTM D4985 (concentrate) | 50% ethylene glycol provides freeze protection to -37°C (-34°F); 40% to -24°C (-12°F); 60% to -52°C (-62°F). Do not exceed 60%. | ||
| Engine oil | John Deere PLUS-50 (preferred); John Deere TORQ-GARD SUPREME (also recommended) | API CI-4 / CH-4 / CG-4 / CF-4; ACEA E5 / E4 / E3 / E2 | Multi-viscosity diesel engine oils preferred. If fuel sulfur >0.5% (5000 ppm), reduce service interval by 50%. During first 100 hours of new/overhauled engine use John Deere ENGINE BREAK-IN OIL or API CD/CC or ACEA E1. | ||
| Engine oil | SAE 10W-30 (if John Deere Break-In oil not available) | API CE, CD, CC; ACEA E2 or E1 | Break-in oil; change oil and filter at maximum 100 hours. Do not use Plus-50 II or CJ-4/CI-4/CH-4 etc. for initial break-in. | ||
| Engine oil | SAE 15W-40, SAE 10W-40, SAE 10W-30, SAE 5W-30, SAE 0W-40, SAE 30, SAE 40 | John Deere Plus-50 II (preferred), Plus-50, Torq-Gard; API CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, CF-4; ACEA E9, E7, E6, E5, E4, E3, E2 | Use oil viscosity based on expected air temperature range between oil changes. Reduce service interval by 50% if API CG-4, API CF-4 or ACEA E2 oils used. | ||
| Fuel | Diesel fuel per EN 590 or ASTM D975 | EN 590 / ASTM D975 | Cetane number 40 minimum, greater than 47 preferred below -20°C (-4°F) or above 1675 m (5500 ft). Max sulfur 10000 mg/kg (10000 ppm). | ||
| Fuel | Grade No. 1-D fuel usable below 5°C (40°F); Grade No. 2-D otherwise | EN 590 or ASTM D975 | Cetane number 45 minimum (>50 preferred). Lubricity min load 3100 grams (ASTM D6078) or max scar diameter 0.45 mm (ASTM D6079). Sulfur <0.05% (500 ppm) preferred; DO NOT use sulfur >1.0%. Bio-diesel per ASTM PS121 or DIN 51606, up to 5% blend. | ||
| Fuel | Winter grade fuel (No. 1-D in North America) | below 0°C | Use when temperatures fall below 0°C (32°F) | ||
| Grease | John Deere SD POLYUREA GREASE (preferred); HD MOLY GREASE, HD LITHIUM COMPLEX GREASE, HD WATER RESISTANT GREASE, GREASE-GARD (also recommended) | NLGI Performance Classification GC-LB | Some grease thickener types are not compatible; consult supplier before mixing. | ||
| Other | John Deere COOLANT CONDITIONER / Liquid Coolant Conditioner (supplemental coolant additive) | Replenish between drain intervals every 12 months or as determined by coolant testing; premix 3% when precharging. DO NOT add SCA when drained and refilled with COOL-GARD. |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
⚠ Valve clearance MUST BE checked and adjusted with engine COLD.
⚠ To prevent accidental starting, always disconnect NEGATIVE (—) battery terminal.
Tools: JDE83 or JD81-1 Flywheel Turning Tool, JDG1571 or JDE81-4 Timing Pin, Feeler gauge, JDG966 Crankshaft Front/Rear Rotation Adapter
⚠ Do not pry against alternator rear frame.
Tools: JDG1341 Belt Tension Gauge
Tools: JDG1520 Belt Tension Tool, Torque wrench
⚠ Explosive release of fluids from pressurized cooling system can cause serious burns. Only remove filler cap when cool enough to touch with bare hands.
Tools: D05104ST Tester
⚠ DO NOT allow thermostat or thermometer to rest against the side or bottom of container when heating water.
Tools: Thermometer, Container
⚠ DO NOT pressurize fuel tank to push fuel through system.
⚠ NEVER loosen screw securing pump head on Lucas rotary pumps.
Tools: Open-end wrenches
⚠ Use filter meeting John Deere performance specifications. DO NOT overtighten filter element.
Tools: Filter wrench
⚠ Threads on belt tensioner roller cap screw are LEFT-HAND threads.
Tools: Breaker bar and socket, Torque wrench
⚠ Only remove filler cap when engine is cold or cool enough to touch.
⚠ DO NOT add makeup oil until oil level is BELOW the add mark.
⚠ Do not run engine longer than 10 minutes while flushing. Doing so may cause engine to overheat.
⚠ Do not run engine longer than 10 minutes during cleaning.
⚠ Air must be expelled from cooling system when system is refilled.
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Parts listed by aftermarket suppliers as fitting this engine — leads compiled from supplier catalogs; verify the exact part for your serial number.
Other equipment known to use this engine, via filter-application cross-reference — useful for sourcing parts even when your exact machine isn't listed elsewhere on this page.
The John Deere 6068T has a displacement of 5.4 liters with 6 cylinders.
The John Deere 6068T powers 3 generator set(s), including John Deere 6068TF120, John Deere ML100JDNKD, John Deere ML85JDNKD.