FYI: Fuel usage with a 3520 and a MX5

[Spindifferent]

FYI to the community in case anyone is interested.

My JD 3520 uses approx. 1 gallon of fuel per hour running the MX5 shredder while cutting medium to heavy density 1'-2' native grass (and native weeds) here in Central Texas. I also average about 1 acre per hour shredding this grass on mostly flat and relatively smooth ground.

Obviously, your mileage will vary.

 

[beenthere]

Interesting, and good info to have.

You call it a shredder and Deere calls it a rotary cutter. Wonder if that is a TX thing?

 

[sunnyside360]

Sounds good. The Yanmar diesels typically have good fuel economy. My 4320 running a 6' 2072 Frontier Rotary cutter in heavy field grass takes slightly more than 1 gallon per hour which isn't too bad imo.

 

[Spindifferent]

beenthere - many different terms describe the rotary cutter, for sure. I've always liked the term "shredder" because that's what the blades do to thicker-stemmed plants; the results are cut stems that have a ragged, non-pointy edge to them.

sunnyside - I am very satisfied with the fuel efficiency of the 3520. The engine running at PTO speed and powering the eHydro transmission for an hour and only using a gallon of fuel seems pretty amazing to me.

 

[LD1]

Same fuel economy I got with my old L3400 bota, be it with a 5' or 6' cutter.

My new MX5100 with 8' cutter is ~2 gph. But I can cut about twice as fast also:thumbsup:

 

[sunnyside360]

My new MX5100 with 8' cutter is ~2 gph. But I can cut about twice as fast also:thumbsup:

Same here with my Kubota M110X with 8' 3008 Bush Hog.

 

[LD1]

You are saying that m110 only sips 2-gal an hour

 

[sunnyside360]

You are saying that m110 only sips 2-gal an hour

Yes. I have a 200 gallon off road diesel fuel tank with electric pump and gauge. I keep a fuel useage log for each of my five diesel vehicles -- John Deere 4320, John Deere 3720, Kubota M110X, Kubota ZD331, and Kubota RTV X1100C. Actually, I thought 2 gal/hr was a lot for the M110X as it isn't really working the tractor very hard plus the engine rpm's are around 1900 to 2000 as opposed to the 2200 rpm's required for rated 540 PTO speed. So, 2 gph is what it takes for running the 3008 Bush Hog which is a heavy duty dual spindle rotary cutter at around 2000 lbs.

 

[LD1]

I guess its about the work being done. Even though you have a 110HP tractor, I am sure you aint using any where close to that. I mow as fast as I can leave a clean cut with an 8' dual spindle as well. Not quite as heavy as the 3008, but close @ 1620#. If you were using a 15' batwing and really working that tractor, I'd bet you'd be closer to 3.5-4 gal/hr. But then again, you'd get twice as much done in that hour also.

Hows the 4320 and 3720 stack up?

 

[jenkinsph]

I guess its about the work being done. Even though you have a 110HP tractor, I am sure you aint using any where close to that. I mow as fast as I can leave a clean cut with an 8' dual spindle as well. Not quite as heavy as the 3008, but close @ 1620#. If you were using a 15' batwing and really working that tractor, I'd bet you'd be closer to 3.5-4 gal/hr. But then again, you'd get twice as much done in that hour also.



Hows the 4320 and 3720 stack up?

Most of the diesel tractors in the 100 hp range should be around the 14 to 16.5 hp hours/gallon. Some of the 50 year old tractors were close to the 16 hp hours/gallon. Working them at full power will burn about 6 gph plus.