What rpm do you use to drive the tractor

rasorbackq · Oct 14, 2014

Seems I always drive the tractor in 2nd gear (Hydrostatic )and at 1500-1700rpm When using a tiller or hog I increase to 2000 _2200 rpm. Question is should I be driving around at 2200?

Fallon · Oct 14, 2014

The answer is don't lug your engine. Beyond that its up to you. The pump & motor will function just fine. Peak HP is usually at PTO rpm, if you need that which you often don't doing utility work. You should probably run at PTO rpm for most PTO work though.

Often I'll just stomp on the go pedal all the way & use the throttle to set my speed.

Thomabear · Oct 14, 2014

Anywhere from 900 RPM to WOT depending on the situation.

Gary Fowler · Oct 14, 2014

I rarely run WOT on any of my tractors. If I need to go faster than my normal working speed, I will just shift upward on the gears. It isn't going to hurt the engines to run WOT but if you don't need the power or the speed then why create all the noise. 2000 RPM on a 2500 RPM engine's max speed is usually sufficient for my needs and reduces the noise level considerably. I don't get any more hydraulic performance with the extra 500 or so RPM but I do get a lot more noise and all my tractors will break traction before running out of power at much less than 2000 RPM anyway.

The only exception to running WOT is when I am running them down the road and I need to put on as much speed as possible which isn't very much with my B26 even at WOT.

rasorbackq · Oct 15, 2014

Thanks guys .

lzicc · Oct 15, 2014

I usually run between 1500 and 2000 RPM. If I am using the BH, I may go up to 2300 RPM. Like Fallon said, don't lug the engine. I use to have that habit.

Rocky Hoffler · Oct 15, 2014

If running tiller or rotary mower I run engine speed to give me 540 rpms on pto other than that run at rpms that is needed I have a HST so I don't have accelerator pedal or I would use it.

houstonscott · Oct 15, 2014

When I mow I run about 2200rpm. 540 on the pto is 2400. I like to find the rpm where engine runs smoothest just below 540 pto speed. That's what I'm looking for when mowing. HS.

Texasmark · Oct 15, 2014

My torque curve peaks at 1600 with PTO rated at 2600. I stay above the peak, even though the curve is pretty flat on out, so that when I hit a tough spot the torque increases rather than decreases which leads to shut down in an overloaded condition.

On how much load when working hard (plowing) I use 100-200 rpm drop (plow up to plow down) as my load max. I set the rpms to 2600 and tweak the gears to get the desired drop. If I don't need the power, I too cut her back till things get quieter. The cab helps as do ear plugs, and my being deaf, but still things can get loud. The JD with the "Sound Guard" cab was pretty quiet but they lined the whole thing with foam rubber padding with holes punched in the surface to absorb the noise. On the current tractor no such sound deadening techniques are used.

My 2c,
Mark