Proud new owner of 7710

[KnuckleDragger]

I just bought a nice used 7710, circa '86, from my neighbor. It is running like a dream. Since last weekend, I've managed to mow about 100 acres. My rear end is sore. I need to lay my hands on a manual, because a few things about it are still a small mystery to me. One thing though, that I doubt I'll find in any manual, is the expected operating range for the temp guage. After about a lap around the field when mowing, the needle settles in to about 1/16" from the red. Would you other 7710-ish owners consider this normal? Am I running her too hard?

I'm trying to figure out how to ask the next question without starting a dreaded "proper PTO" thread. But here goes...My neighbor says that he mowed in 3L at full throttle, or about 2000 RPM in average pasture. After 100 acres, I should have experimented, but I didn't think of it until now. I still have one more "field" to mow, but it is thick&dense weed. When I would hit thick stuff at that cutting rate, the engine RPM would bog down to 1800RPM. I'm using a 15' bush hog.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[bullbreaker]

I just bought a nice used 7710, circa '86, from my neighbor. It is running like a dream. Since last weekend, I've managed to mow about 100 acres. My rear end is sore. I need to lay my hands on a manual, because a few things about it are still a small mystery to me.
Thanks,Chris

Heres some info might help you on that 7710
TractorData.com Ford-New Holland 7710 tractor information

Boone

 

[whodat526]

i always set the rpm's at 1800 and then when u start cutting set your ground speed for the terain and the brush are grass thickness you are mowing and it sounds like it is running a littler hot

 

[Jbrink64]

I just bought a nice used 7710, circa '86, from my neighbor. It is running like a dream. Since last weekend, I've managed to mow about 100 acres. My rear end is sore. I need to lay my hands on a manual, because a few things about it are still a small mystery to me. One thing though, that I doubt I'll find in any manual, is the expected operating range for the temp guage. After about a lap around the field when mowing, the needle settles in to about 1/16" from the red. Would you other 7710-ish owners consider this normal? Am I running her too hard?

I'm trying to figure out how to ask the next question without starting a dreaded "proper PTO" thread. But here goes...My neighbor says that he mowed in 3L at full throttle, or about 2000 RPM in average pasture. After 100 acres, I should have experimented, but I didn't think of it until now. I still have one more "field" to mow, but it is thick&dense weed. When I would hit thick stuff at that cutting rate, the engine RPM would bog down to 1800RPM. I'm using a 15' bush hog.

Thanks,
Chris

Congrats on the 7710! Great machine. As for the temp, find a good infrared temp gauge, and verify the temp. PTO speed- run the mower @540 rpm. Set the throttle so the tach needle points to the 540 mark. Adjust the throttle and ground speed as needed. That engine is designed to be at full throttle, and "pulled down" to rated PTO speed. Running above the 540 mark over speeds the mower, under it, the engine is overloaded.

 

[KnuckleDragger]

I don't recall a tach mark for 540RPM on this model. It may be there and I just overlooked it. My internet connection is pretty far from the tractor. Is it proper to use gearing to adjust ground speed? That last 40 I mowed I mowed in 4L, and got done considerable sooner than 3L (obviously). I don't believe I did so at the detriment to the equipment.

 

[Jbrink64]

1900 engine rpm = 540 pto rpm. Keep the engine at that speed with the throttle, adjust ground speed with the transmission.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. stay at or just above pto speed. if the stuff gets to thick, use a lower gear / range.

soundguy

 

[KnuckleDragger]

Ok. That is good to know. I can come down off the rail by 100-200 rpm in typical pasture.

 

[gouchodon]

Is your 7710 dual power?
If it is you may want to try using it, especiall in weedy or inconsistent mowing or any other project. It's a great feature that keeps you from having to adjust your gear/range while still keeping your rpm's up. And yes, 540 is right around 19 on that machine.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I just bought a nice used 7710, circa '86, from my neighbor. It is running like a dream. Since last weekend, I've managed to mow about 100 acres. My rear end is sore. I need to lay my hands on a manual, because a few things about it are still a small mystery to me. One thing though, that I doubt I'll find in any manual, is the expected operating range for the temp guage. After about a lap around the field when mowing, the needle settles in to about 1/16" from the red. Would you other 7710-ish owners consider this normal? Am I running her too hard?

I'm trying to figure out how to ask the next question without starting a dreaded "proper PTO" thread. But here goes...My neighbor says that he mowed in 3L at full throttle, or about 2000 RPM in average pasture. After 100 acres, I should have experimented, but I didn't think of it until now. I still have one more "field" to mow, but it is thick&dense weed. When I would hit thick stuff at that cutting rate, the engine RPM would bog down to 1800RPM. I'm using a 15' bush hog.

Thanks,
Chris

When I see a temperature gauge in that range, I always check the cooling system components and the airfilter at the first opportunity. You'r mowing grass so there's bound to be chaff and bits of chopped grass around the tractor. Have you tried blowing out the radiator?. The air side may be restricted. Always check your air filter. If it gets too restricted your peak gas temperatures in the cylinder can increase and add more heat load to the cooling sysem.
Make sure that the water pump drive belt is tight and make sure the lower coolant hose is not getting sucked closed at high rpms. Check the thermostat for correct temperature range and operation. Check the radiator cap for the correct pressure and operation. If you can't test it replace it. If it's leaking or has the incorrect pressure rating, your coolant will start to boil and that limits heat transfer and can cause an overheat.

Finally, you should operate your PTO at the design speed of the mower. For your tractor, 540 pto speed is about 1800 rpm engine speed. If you have a 1000 rpm rated mower, run at the rpm that gives 1000 rpm at the pto.