Mowing How much horse power is sufficient for A/C?

[dovetail]

I was told a 33 horse power tractor while mowing with the A/C running isn't adequate, a 39 plus would be better in August 100 degree temperatures? Was told by Kubota and John Deere sales, anyone have regrets with 33 horse power cab using the A/C while mowing not keeping the cab cool?

 

[shui5612]

AC takes about 3-10% of engine power, depending on the size of the engine and the size of the AC...

On a 33hp id suspect you lose about 4HP. Minus transmission loses, you might be looking at 15-23hp pto. Is it enough to run your mower?

Questions isn't whether the hp has enough power for the AC, it's a question of running say 4x4, AC, lights, a pto mower and a lower HP engine might simply just not perform to your liking.
Hope this helps..

 

[dovetail]

Thanks, I omitted using a 60 inch belly mower, your answer makes sense and helps, thanks again.

 

[jeff9366]

As your tractor ages, the horsepower gradually declines. Difficult to estimate this as care of tractor, use of tractor and how much dust it takes in are involved. Perhaps 10% engine power loss after ten years?

 

[RickB]

As your tractor ages, the horsepower gradually declines. Difficult to estimate this as care of tractor, use of tractor and how much dust it takes in are involved. Perhaps 10% engine power loss after ten years?

A properly maintained tractor will not injest dust. Nor will it loose power to any noticeable level for thousands of hours of use. I really wonder where people come up with some of this crap.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I was told a 33 horse power tractor while mowing with the A/C running isn't adequate, a 39 plus would be better in August 100 degree temperatures? Was told by Kubota and John Deere sales, anyone have regrets with 33 horse power cab using the A/C while mowing not keeping the cab cool?

Sounds to me like they're trying to sell you a bigger tractor. I have 32 hp at the pto, and with my AC on full blast, you can't tell the difference at all when mowing. Now when I'm mowing 6ft high weeds out of my neighbor's pasture, I'm running at modest ground speed, but when I'm mowing my road ditches, I'm mowing as fast as my terrain surface will allow (slow down for the rough parts, etc). This is with a 6' rotary mower.

 

[RjCorazza]

With a 60" belly mower, I wouldn't give it a second thought.

 

[zzvyb6]

A properly maintained tractor will not injest dust. Nor will it loose power to any noticeable level for thousands of hours of use. I really wonder where people come up with some of this crap.

As guys get older, they turn up the cab radio volume. This sucks more power off the engine. Instead, turn off the rap music and get an 84" mower. This cuts down on mowing time which results in less suds cooldown after the job is done. Besides, a bandana and a bucket off cool water to soak it in is less sissy.

 

[marchanna]

An A/C should take about 5hp to drive. If it’s not cooling, it’s not likely due to lack of hp, it’s probably lost it charge or the A/C was undersized for the tractor/ambient temps. If you don’t have enough hp, you will probably still have great A/C, but your ending will bog-down while mowing. Make sure you have the RPM cranked up to 2,600.

 

[Old Red]

A properly maintained tractor will not injest dust. Nor will it loose power to any noticeable level for thousands of hours of use. I really wonder where people come up with some of this crap.

No offense to Jeff....but I agree...I hear some statements on here that are made that people just DO NOT need to worry about.....and 1 huge one is a diesel engine loosing horsepower.

I am also having a hard time buying (although I can't back it up) that a small tractor A/C uses 4 diesel horsepower to run.