Why are tractors so under-powered?

[orezok]

The way I look at it is that you can put a 5 HP motor on a water pump and it will pump 1000 GPH. Take that same pump and put a 50 HP motor on it, it will pump 1000 GPH.

Extra HP will be totally wasted and DUMB.

 

[IH782]

Why are tractors so under-powered?<<<This is a good way to get most tractor folks attention like me, see this topic and go WHAT?
This is probably a question from the guys who like those 100 mi/hr tractors at fairs would ask. As far as my L3400 goes, I'm amazed at the horse power that come's from such a small engine, but I dont go 100 miles/hour either. A better question from me would be, Why are 4 wheel drive tractors 3 wheel drive?

No, this is a question from a guy that uses his tractors to feed his family.

 

[IH782]

The way I look at it is that you can put a 5 HP motor on a water pump and it will pump 1000 GPH. Take that same pump and put a 50 HP motor on it, it will pump 1000 GPH.

Extra HP will be totally wasted and DUMB.

Yes, but with that 45 extra HP you can now run a pump that pumps 10,000 GPH.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Lol... 3 wheel drive! Good point, at time I wish for a front axle diff lock also! (Responding to post 29)


My understanding is this...

Any given engine is going to live for a certain number of 'horsepower hours', which is to say... Take that motor, of any type, 5hp briggs on a gocart or newest 6.7l diesel, and it will run longer and more reliably at a de-tuned lower hp setting than that same motor tuned to double the hp, but lifespan is shortened dramatically. My buddy had a 5hp briggs gocart running alcohol, probly putting out 15hp, untill it blew up. Didnt take long, but he was leading the pack... Untill boom, he wasnt. (Fun times, built his own track, about a dozen came out every weekend to race, great fun!)

Point is... Tractors are tuned low, for the reason of getting long life. Im sure I will shorten the life of my little 1.3l yanmar motor in my tractor when i turbo charge it... But if its life span goes from 6k hours to 3k, I doubt I will know the difference. Dad's 1974 mf135 only has 2200 hours, will I ever put 3k plus on mine?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A top fuel dragster can put out 6-7000 hp for 3-4 seconds. It needs to be rebuilt after a few runs.

Top fuel dragsters are now making 11,000 hp... That would be "estimated" 11K s all the dyno's top out at 10K... lol

SR

 

[motownbrowne]

Yes, you are right, the higher the HP the shorter the life. But, if I were to re-flash the PCM in my 2555 and say get 85HP out of it, that would have very little if any impact on engine longevity.

Also, the Mahindra 2565 Shuttle Cab sells for $41,230, the 2555 Shuttle Cab sells for $36,680. They are the exact same tractor except for that 10 HP, which Mahindra makes you pay $4,550 for. Why should we pay over $4500 for a messily 10HP?

Well this is a totally different topic. Yes, you can turn up the pump and or change the injectors, and or turbocharge a diesel in a tractor and get more HP. There's tons of examples of a manufacturer doing exactly that, just like you listed. I've got one too. My MX makes 48 HP at the flywheel. Pay $4000 more, and you can have a turbocharger and 52 HP at the flywheel. BUT both of these examples still leave you with an engine that puts out low HP per liter compared to a over the road diesel. The reason for this has been thoroughly explained.

If John Deere could put a 6.9 liter cummins into their tractor and tune it at 500 HP, I'm sure they would. I bet it's cheaper than a 12.9 liter engine that they do use.

Tractors aren't underpowered, they're just powered. Some have more, some have less. If you need more HP, go buy a bigger tractor. Lots of 120 HP tractors for sale under $10,000.

 

[WilliamBos]

Well this is a totally different topic. Yes, you can turn up the pump and or change the injectors, and or turbocharge a diesel in a tractor and get more HP. There's tons of examples of a manufacturer doing exactly that, just like you listed. I've got one too. My MX makes 48 HP at the flywheel. Pay $4000 more, and you can have a turbocharger and 52 HP at the flywheel. BUT both of these examples still leave you with an engine that puts out low HP per liter compared to a over the road diesel. The reason for this has been thoroughly explained.

If John Deere could put a 6.9 liter cummins into their tractor and tune it at 500 HP, I'm sure they would. I bet it's cheaper than a 12.9 liter engine that they do use.

Tractors aren't underpowered, they're just powered. Some have more, some have less. If you need more HP, go buy a bigger tractor. Lots of 120 HP tractors for sale under $10,000.

If you even attempt to tune, kiss the warranty goodbye. Unless you can get the power to the ground without wheelslip, its pointless having it.

Mother Deere and other have been preaching for years, with these emissions engines it is better to go smaller and run maxxed than bigger that barely works. The emissions systems need maximum temperature to work effectively.

 

[4570Man]

A truck engine can only produce that rating for a short period. A tractor engine can produce its PTO HP indefinitely.

 

[flusher]

My neighbor flood irrigated his 25-acre alfalfa field using a well pump operated by a 1980s vintage 2 liter diesel engine he removed from an old Isuzu pickup truck he owned. That little diesel runs about 70 hours continuously at a 1000 rpm or so to water the field after each mowing.

 

[orezok]

Yes, but with that 45 extra HP you can now run a pump that pumps 10,000 GPH.

...but if you only need the 1000 GPH to accomplish your needs the 50 HP is STILL dumb.