Montana 5740C

[Ron Henderson]

Hi All,

I used this site to make up my mind on which Montana to buy.

I got a 5740C, picked it up on Monday and now have 5 hrs on it.

All I can say is, so far I am impressed. This is some kind of a machine.
I am able to do most everything at 1500 rpm or less.
This is the first tractor I have owned that has a cab, it sure is nice staying warm and listening to the radio while I scrape the driveway.

Only thing I don't understand is why it takes 2400 + rpm to get 540 rpm at the PTO.
The Massey 231 that I had needed only 1740 rpm for 540 pto rpm.

It just seems that running 2400 rpm burns more fuel and makes more noise to achieve the same thing.
Seems like all it would take is a little different gear ratio to get the 540 rpm for the PTO.

Anyone have any thoughts as to why it is set up like this??

Other than that I really love the tractor!!

Ron

 

[xxxsandman]

I believe the reason most tractors have the PTO geared for such high engine RPM is they try to achieve peak horsepower at the 540 RPM.

While I understand that there may be some applications that peak horsepower may be desired or even required while operating the PTO, most applications don't require peak horsepower to run just fine. However most PTO powered implements expect to be operated at 540 PTO RPM, like mowers and tillers and don't perform nearly as well when operated at a slower PTO RPM.

It amazes me that all these nice fancy tractors you see now days haven't caught onto this. It wouldn't be hard for them to put a 2 speed gear selector on the PTO. HIGH would set the 540 RPM at peak horse power, like it is now. LOW would be less, say 1,750 tractor RPMs give or take a little, to achieve the 540 PTO RPM.

I would love to have that option on my Montana 4540. The LOW gear would be perfect for pretty much all applications I use the PTO for, like finish mowing. As it is now I have to run over 2,000 tractor RPM's to get the blade speed up enough for a clean mow. I have enough power to slip the belts on the mower at 1,500 rpms....

James

 

[Ron Henderson]

Hi James,

What a great idea that would be, to have a two speed setup for the PTO.

Like you, I just don't see the reason to run the engine at such a high rpm if it is not needed.
More wear and tear, fuel consumption, etc.etc.

The tractor has so much power at 1500 rpm it just seems unnecessary.

Ron

 

[Unclebuck257]

Congrats on the 5740C!! I've had mine since Feb 05, and I really do like it. NEVER had a second thought after I got it.

My neighbor borrowed mine for a day's work and liked it so much that he bought himself a 5740C that following weekend. They're great tractors and that a great value compared to other brands.

 

[montanaman]

The trick is to match the implement to the tractor. That's how most get the best efficiency out of a tractor and another reason that most farms have a few tractors around. On the occations that you are running something that doesn't need the PTO HP that you have, yes, you will waste some fuel by not using or needing all the power you have but if you size your implements right, you can make the most of your fuel dollars.

I think you'll find the Mitsubishi to be easy on fuel once broken in and letting it spin isn't going to hurt it one bit. I know that some people tend to run their tractors below the 540 mark on a regular basis and seem to be happy with the results of their work. My neighbor runs an older 9N with a rotary cutter and when I hear him mowing, he is no where near the RPM it takes to make 540RPM at the PTO.

I had to move a few piles of snow that the state piled in front of my driveways and I couldn't agree with you more that a warm dry cab is hard to beat after all the cold wet days we have had in PA!

Ken

 

[SPYDERLK]

I believe the reason most tractors have the PTO geared for such high engine RPM is they try to achieve peak horsepower at the 540 RPM.

While I understand that there may be some applications that peak horsepower may be desired or even required while operating the PTO, most applications don't require peak horsepower to run just fine. However most PTO powered implements expect to be operated at 540 PTO RPM, like mowers and tillers and don't perform nearly as well when operated at a slower PTO RPM.

It amazes me that all these nice fancy tractors you see now days haven't caught onto this. It wouldn't be hard for them to put a 2 speed gear selector on the PTO. HIGH would set the 540 RPM at peak horse power, like it is now. LOW would be less, say 1,750 tractor RPMs give or take a little, to achieve the 540 PTO RPM.

I would love to have that option on my Montana 4540. The LOW gear would be perfect for pretty much all applications I use the PTO for, like finish mowing. As it is now I have to run over 2,000 tractor RPM's to get the blade speed up enough for a clean mow. I have enough power to slip the belts on the mower at 1,500 rpms....

James

Thats the thing that sent me away from Montana when I was selecting a tractor. I wanted the 540/1000 PTO.
larry

 

[BRUSHTAMERS]

I'm still very unimpressed with the fuel usage on my 5740 C. The best I can do is still shy of 7 hours per tank of fuel, when worked hard(brush hogging) just about 5 3/4 hours. Anyone else notice that kind of fuel consumption? Sidey

 

[Texasgreen]

My 4940C used lots of fuel at first. After 50 hours and an oil change my fuel use has gone way down. I felt the same way when I used 6 Gal. in less then 8 hours by just mowing with a finish mower in light grass. All I could think about was how my larger NH tractor that I just sold would use less fuel in a longer period of time. Now that my Montana has close to 100 hours on it, my fuel use has gone way down and I'm very happy with my tractor.

 

[TillerofdaEarth]

Hi Ron, welcome to the TBN club! Nice tractor to!!! Have any Pictures?

 

[potatobeeboy]

I got a 5740C too April 2008 it now as 104 hours on it.
I just love it.
Had a Ford 8n, Ford 1600, Zetor 5245.
The Montana is a powerful modern tractor.
I have not complaints. The dealer is good.
The only problem is the loader attachments fall off when cold if I put down pressure on them.
The dealer is coming to swap out the attachment mechanism. Their is an upgrade.
The front tires were swapped. now the back ones are cracking, he said he would have them changed.
The Montana was the best deal tractor around. John Deere wanted $15000 more for a similar model.
The cab is great ac and heat, great for blowing snow. I don't care if it blows back.
The Zetor cab one had to take off the doors or die in the summer heat.
Pleased in Northern Ontario. Finally a new tractor I won't have to wrench for quite a while.