vtsnowedin
Elite Member
While I'm waiting for my 5045E to get here on a slow boat from India I've had time to read through all of the brochure and spec sheets on the 5 series tractors. One question comes to mind. Does increasing the horsepower of a given block by changing the turbo and injector settings reduce the expected lifespan of the engine and if it does by how much.
Consider the Power Tech 3029. It is 179 cu. in. block that you can get in four different horse power configurations 45, 55, 65, and 75 all at the same rated engine RPM of 2400. To my basic six grade math mind that means that every power-stroke of the 75 exerts 145% of the force that a 45 does on the same sized crank shaft and main bearings. As the engine parts must be sized to take the stresses of 75 HP operation using them at a reduced 45HP settings should reduce wear and fatigue stresses and hence the engine of a 45 should last quite a bit longer. Also strain and impact loads transmitted to the transmission and the other drive line parts would also vary with the horsepower being applied to the system.
The question really is how much does this amount to in real in the field applications. Also I realise that a foolish throttle jockey could hammer a 45 into submission trying to make it do the work of a 75 and an experienced operator of a 75 would work it for thousands of hours without ever over stressing anything knowing that if the job is too big the cheapest thing is to get a bigger tractor.
Anybody have any experience or facts and figures on the durability to horsepower ratio?
Consider the Power Tech 3029. It is 179 cu. in. block that you can get in four different horse power configurations 45, 55, 65, and 75 all at the same rated engine RPM of 2400. To my basic six grade math mind that means that every power-stroke of the 75 exerts 145% of the force that a 45 does on the same sized crank shaft and main bearings. As the engine parts must be sized to take the stresses of 75 HP operation using them at a reduced 45HP settings should reduce wear and fatigue stresses and hence the engine of a 45 should last quite a bit longer. Also strain and impact loads transmitted to the transmission and the other drive line parts would also vary with the horsepower being applied to the system.
The question really is how much does this amount to in real in the field applications. Also I realise that a foolish throttle jockey could hammer a 45 into submission trying to make it do the work of a 75 and an experienced operator of a 75 would work it for thousands of hours without ever over stressing anything knowing that if the job is too big the cheapest thing is to get a bigger tractor.
Anybody have any experience or facts and figures on the durability to horsepower ratio?