Effective PTO HP on a JD 4520 with E-PTO

jenkinsph · Nov 17, 2009

Pete, if your tractor will idle down low try that first in the epto setting. I agree with Radman that the lower speeds are more controllable for phd work. You can bump up the throttle from there to see what works best for you. With a lot of holes to drill you might consider adding some weight to the boom, generally speaking faster penetration is more affected by weight and or pressure rather than the rotation speed.

I will check into the idle speed on my tractor, about a month ago or so the service manager for the dealer came out and jacked up my tractor with all four wheels free and reprogrammed it. You would think he would have adjusted the idle speed at that time, I will have to make sure of exactly what it is when warmed up and give him a call.
Thanks for the info.

edit: I should add that if you find the speed is still too fast then revert to the standard pto mode, you will still be below the 40hp rating.

eepete · Nov 17, 2009

I've got hard data from Deere, and great advice from Steve, jimgerken and Radman. So now it's time to stop analyzing and start drilling (as soon as the weather cooperates). Thanks to all.

Pete

eepete · Dec 10, 2009

Update: Got PHD on tractor, played with it a bit. Since the predominant opinion was that slower is better, left PTO in normal gear (Not e-pto) and ran tractor down at 1200 RPM. Digging in the North Carolina red clay was easy, tractor didn't bog down. Speed was not a problem, I slowed it down more than anything by how fast I would drop the rig. Didn't even try the e-pto since the control on the low speed was great. Might do a test hole sometime with e-PTO

Had to pick up the RPM at the end to try to get the dirt out of the hole, and it's an odd dance of higher RPM and lifting the PHD while being sure not to get all the way out of the hole. Still had about 6" of dirt in the bottom, suspect that's just technique I'll have to work on.

The auger would "auger in" by about 2-3 inches, then pop up at this low speed. Might try a few more RPM once I get the hole about 6" deep and see if it still augers in. Not a problem. Tractor size/weight/HP made it all easy. The tractor was in charge, not the PHD.

Thanks to everyone for their advice, it was right on the money. It was a great discussion and good data on E-PTO vs. Normal PTO. I still want to get the torque curves for the engine. Maybe I'll ask my dealer. Now if the ground around here every gets hard again, I've got about 50 holes to dig.

Pete

radman1 · Dec 10, 2009

6" of dirt in the hole at the end is probably a bit more than I would have left when I remove the auger but there is always some left in the bottom. Leave the PHD turning when raising, and raise it slowly and allow the auger enough time to bring up the dirt. You can used hand PHD to remove the loose material at the bottom. Depending on how deep you need the post, you can also just tamp the remaining dirt down tight. If hole is still to deep, throw a little more dirt in and tamp it down. After a few holes and setting posts, you will learn how deep to go with the tractor PHD. My philolosphy is it is easier to dig a little too deep with the PHD rather than have the hole too shallow and then dig out with hand diggers or redrill deeper with tractor PHD.

eepete · Dec 11, 2009

Thanks for the tips radman1.

This, like many tractor implements, is another learn it in a minute, master it in a lifetime event. 20 seconds is much better than 20 minutes, that's for sure.

I am a little concerned that the task seems a bit boring. After a number of holes, it seems like the same old drill and you get tired of the hole business. Your depression deepens as you feel like you keep going around in circles. And even when you're done it all feels kinda empty. So you pick up the pieces and fill in the empty void, then move one. I love it

.

Pete

jenkinsph · Dec 11, 2009

eepete said:
Thanks for the tips radman1.

This, like many tractor implements, is another learn it in a minute, master it in a lifetime event. 20 seconds is much better than 20 minutes, that's for sure.

I am a little concerned that the task seems a bit boring. After a number of holes, it seems like the same old drill and you get tired of the hole business. Your depression deepens as you feel like you keep going around in circles. And even when you're done it all feels kinda empty. So you pick up the pieces and fill in the empty void, then move one. I love it .

Pete

Anybody ever tell you that you are overly analytical/

dcyrilc · Mar 31, 2010

I like my drill here next to the barn I'm remodeling.

ajwren · Oct 5, 2010

I have a question also about PTO HP requirements for a Tractor i want to buy. I have a new Property that basically requires (at some time in the future) to be Fenced off (lots of post hole digging). and am considering two Tractors to do the Job, but mainly it will be used to do Field Mowing and such. I dont want to buy something that may be underpowered (previous posts) to do any Jobs that arise in the future (stumps, rock moving...). I am looking at a JD 2520 (FEL(300CX?),JD 46 BH, 350 HRS for $17500) or a JD 3720 (FEL(300CX?) 150HRS, dont know price yet). I know the 3720 has at least 20 more HP at the PTO, but is it too much? and would the 2520 be to little? I dont wat to be driving a Monster around (looking like an idiot, lol) for mostly mowing... but i dont wat to find out i should have bought bigger either. Anyone got any ideas on this... could i go in between, a (JD,Kubota) 30/35HP machine maybe? ground that i know of is not bad, pretty earthy. thanks in advance...
ajwren

jenkinsph · Oct 5, 2010

ajwren said:
I have a question also about PTO HP requirements for a Tractor i want to buy. I have a new Property that basically requires (at some time in the future) to be Fenced off (lots of post hole digging). and am considering two Tractors to do the Job, but mainly it will be used to do Field Mowing and such. I dont want to buy something that may be underpowered (previous posts) to do any Jobs that arise in the future (stumps, rock moving...). I am looking at a JD 2520 (FEL(300CX?),JD 46 BH, 350 HRS for $17500) or a JD 3720 (FEL(300CX?) 150HRS, dont know price yet). I know the 3720 has at least 20 more HP at the PTO, but is it too much? and would the 2520 be to little? I dont wat to be driving a Monster around (looking like an idiot, lol) for mostly mowing... but i dont wat to find out i should have bought bigger either. Anyone got any ideas on this... could i go in between, a (JD,Kubota) 30/35HP machine maybe? ground that i know of is not bad, pretty earthy. thanks in advance...
ajwren

A better description such as the number of acres to mow/brushhog fel tasks would help us help you.