Now that spring is here I guess I will have to post a sesonal question,....am I wasting fuel running wide open when mowing? My little Bx doesn't seem to bog down at all running the deck at half throttle, so that makes me wonder why I have been running it full throttle.
Mowing do you have to run rpm high for mowing? or am I wasting fuel?
- Thread starter johann
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actionaj
Gold Member
I usually mow with rpm's in 2900-3000 range seems to work just fine. Mowing wide open I think just wastes fuel and you really can't tell a difference in the cut.
IslandTractor
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My 540 PTO speed requires about 2500rpm if I recall but I rarely run the engine that fast. 2100rpm works fine except in very thick vegetation. That is with a Kioti DK40se but I'm pretty sure the same thing is true of the higher reving small Kubota tractors....something about 15-20% lower than the indicated 540 PTO rpm should be fine for routine mowing.
timswi
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I run mine wide open...Just make sure it's thowing the grass out properly, and you're happy with the cut. I don't think I can really waste fuel on mine. It's the most fuel efficient thing I've ever owned.
Kays Supply
Veteran Member
I have a few diesel powered machines. I have checked the temperature gauges on the ones that have them. If I am working the tractor or trackhoe, they run cooler at near full throttle. If I pull them down to a speed that will do the job, but less rpm, they start to run just a little hotter. Nothing that would make them over heat , but never the less hotter. I have decided to go ahead and run them faster. Better safe than sorry. Heat is not your friend with a diesel.
Evil the Weasel
Platinum Member
I'm mowing at 2200 RPM with my B2620, quite a bit below PTO speed. It doesn't even struggle so there's no point in going higher for me.
TripleR
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I run my BX2660 at 2900 which is the rated PTO speed, it may mow as well at a lower speed, but any saving in fuel will be minimal at best and I don't feel the need to experiment. If you are worried about an extra buck or two, have at it; probably could save even more if you use Roundup two or three times a year and sell your mower.
Bird
Rest in Peace
As far as I know on any of those without a tach (as was the case with my B7100), wide open is about 200 rpm faster than the 540 PTO speed. Both the dealer and a factory rep said to go wide open, then throttle back just enough to hear the difference in the engine.
As for what speed to mow at . . . well, there's a reason the manufacturers design and build the machines and mowers for 540 rpm. If I were buying a used tractor, I'd much rather have one that had been run at 540 than one that had been run slower.
savageactor7
Platinum Member
When I have the woods deck on I run it at 'pto' speed...that's up there but not max iirc.
I dunno for sure but with the side discharge I don't think there would be enough thrust to spread the grass out in the spring when it's heavy with moisture. Rear discharge might be OK with reduced throttle ...have to wait and see what those owners say.
I suppose half throttle might work when the grass is really dry.
I dunno for sure but with the side discharge I don't think there would be enough thrust to spread the grass out in the spring when it's heavy with moisture. Rear discharge might be OK with reduced throttle ...have to wait and see what those owners say.
I suppose half throttle might work when the grass is really dry.
