5740C Fuel usage

[NetworkMD]

I have about 60 hours on my 5740, and worked it for most of the last two days pulling a new 8 foot 3pt Bush Hog to maintain set aside ground on our farm. The A/C worked great even in 94 degree temp and the tractor temp basically did not move from the 1/4th mark running cool. Even in 5 foot grass the 8 foot hog did not seem to bog the 4cyl at all.

I was very pleased with the fuel usage after most of two days 9 gal of fuel filled the tank to the top, this seems less than the smaller 41 hp tractor I had previously that did not have A/C.

I also like the design of the radiator air intake, the screens on the front fender seem to help filter the cooling air to help prevent radiator pluggiing, when I flushed the radiator fins after letting it sit overnight to cool, there was very little clogging in the fins.

[Unclebuck257]

I'm mowing right now with my 5740C in 101-105 air temp amd with the humidity it goes up to 110 at times. My A/C is keeping me cool in the cab, but I'm using more diesel than I usually do it seems. I'm pulling an 8 foot brush hog type HD mower (Dale Phillips) and because the ground is so dry, there is a great deal of dust at times, on a few parts of our place.

I'm running, heat temp guage wise, at about just below the half way mark to just over the half way mark most of the time. After about 5 hours of mowing my heat temp guage starts to move up more towards the red, actaullt about to 3/4 towards the red. I attribute that to the accumulation of dust and debris in the radiator screen. I clean that every day before I start the next day's mowing, along with blowing out the air filters and I start the process all over with the mowing. I've also checked the rad water and antifreeze level frequently and everything there is full.

I also seem to be using more fuel for some reason than I normally do and I'm not sure why. I'm using oilfield diesel which is the same as reg station bought diesel, as far as I know. Actually, it's a WHOLE LOT better because it's FREE to me. I'm using about 6 gallons per day, per 4-5 hours of steady mowing.

I've got about 1/2 the place done and should finish the other half this weekend.

[NetworkMD]

Thanks Unclebuck, I agree the heat and dust has a big impact. We have had normal rainfall here so not much dust which I am thankful for.

I totally agree on regular radiator cleaning that is key to cooling performance, if it cannot move the air freely then it is going to overheat. So far I am getting good cutting results at just over half throttle I know that helps with the fuel.