Fuel economy or usage based on size

HappyOne · Jun 19, 2013

Lets say you have a 84" finish cutter and pulling it behind a L3240 works the tractor hard. A L4240 with the same mower doesn't work nearly as hard and a L5740 barely notices the mower. Would you still expect the L3240 to use less fuel for a given area cut, or would the L4240 be more efficient. How about the L5740?

WaxMan · Jun 19, 2013

I would think no matter which size tractor you use with the finish cutter the RPMs are going to be up there, so the smaller one would use less fuel.

greenrider1 · Jun 19, 2013

My L5740 seems to use more fuel than my older L3710 ever did for the same job, but I guess I don't really mind since I have 20 more hp which gets some jobs done much quicker, like blowing snow.

HappyOne · Jun 19, 2013

I'm still trying to decide what to replace my two tractors with. I am thinking since I mostly mow with it, I should go smaller and just rent something for those times I wish I had more power. Especially if the fuel savings represents real dollars.

Piston · Jun 19, 2013

I think greenrider said it best. The larger hp tractor will typically use more fuel, but it will get the job done quicker, reducing the time that the engine is running, and burning fuel. I would say for the tractors mentioned, the fuel usage would really be a non existent factor relative to the cost of the equipment.

PHILIP8N · Jun 19, 2013

Fuel usage is based mostly on horsepower required to run implement. It is also based on how much power to move tractor, and frictional losses in engine and transmission, but these should be close to even. That being said, a 84" finish mower takes 40 horsepower (guess) to turn. 40 horsepower consumes approximately 2 gallons of diesel fuel an hour. So, each tractor will burn the same amount of fuel to make 40 horsepower. I pull a 72" finish mower with an L3940. Sure you want to pull an 84" finish mower with a L3240? Seems like that would be too much for that tractor. Are you really that big of a penny pincher on fuel cost? I think capital investment would be more of a driving factor than a dollar or two everytime you mow. Personally, I think your best bet is L4240, will pull 84" finish mower with some power reserve, will not cost as much as L5740, and all 3 will roughly use the same amount of fuel. Philip.

gwdixon · Jun 19, 2013

Well, I think when you spend $XX,XXX on a tractor the concern about whether you get one gallon per hour verses 1.2 gallons per hour is pretty insignificant. If you can afford the tractor then you can afford to put fuel in it.

Sure, if you are running 60 hour weeks, 50 weeks a year there might be some significance to fuel costs but at a hundred hours or less per year (a typical hobby farm usage) there is no point sweating the small stuff.

mmorisoli · Jun 19, 2013

If I am not mistaken a turbo will change things a little bit. I think i remember reading various engineering papers that an engine with a turbo is slightly more fuel efficient per horse power than a naturally aspirated engine is...

That is within reason. A 600 HP vs any 40 HP is not what I mean...

number two · Jun 19, 2013

From my many years in the trucking business the old adage was fuel consumption is directly proportional to horsepower produced.There are some varibles,but it's true in general.Good Luck!