3 cylinder vs 4 cylinder debate

[RickB]

Curious wht INDUSTIAL gensets run at 3000rpm and how the poles are arranged?

Get busy and check out some specs if you’re curious.

 

[Katahdin]

I don't think the number of cylinders has anything to do with PTO RPM speeds.

The Mahindra 5555 pistons have to travel further per stroke than the LS, that it's why it's RPM is lower:

Mahindra 5555
96mm Bore x 122 mm Stroke

LS 6168
88mm Bore x 103 mm Stroke

 

[Egon]

For those interested some information on engine balance. Lots of variables.

[video]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_balance[/video]

 

[Smokeydog]

Hard comparison to make. My observations over 40 years bush hogging the same fields/pastures with a 6’ cutter.

MF-135, 3cyl, 45HP, 20 hours, 15 gal fuel.

Kubota M5030, 6cyl, 56HP, 12 hours, 12 gallons fuel.

Kubota M59, 4cyl turbo, 59HP, 12 hours, 15-16 gallons of fuel.

Kubotas 4x4 engaged.

 

[RickB]

Hard comparison to make. My observations over 40 years bush hogging the same fields/pastures with a 6’ cutter.

MF-135, 3cyl, 45HP, 20 hours, 15 gal fuel.

Kubota M5030, 6cyl, 56HP, 12 hours, 12 gallons fuel.

Kubota M59, 4cyl turbo, 59HP, 12 hours, 15-16 gallons of fuel.

Kubotas 4x4 engaged.

The Kubota numbers speak more to the efficiency of a gear transmission vs Hydrostatic than anything else.
The apples and oranges are not all in front of the flywheel.

 

[Industrial Toys]

What's hydro?

Trying to make sense of the numbers, I only noticed later that the 135 took 20 hours. Before that, I thought the Kubota fuel numbers were impressive by comparison.

Now if you somehow figure in, the cost of the equipment to get that same job done. The Massey cost around three grand in early 70s dollars. AND that tractor is probably still working today.

 

[RickB]

What's hydro?

The M59, which I suspect also has a significant weight disadvantage to the M5030.
The Massey is a different class of machine.

 

[Smokeydog]

Agree there are significant differences other than number of cylinders. Big differences comfort and convenience. Stay cleaner mowing 6’ weeds with the bigger tractors.

M59 hydrostatic plus (two speeds in each range) transmission.

M5030 early 80s, full size ag cab tractor, taller, wider, heavier than the M59.

 

[RickB]

M5030 early 80s, full size ag cab tractor, heavier than the M59.

I suspect not. Would depend on whether it has a loader and other factors.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Seems a terrible waste(in time if nothing else) running nice big tractors with a 6 foot mower. When there was no market for our fields, I pulled a 14 or 16' ALAMO Flex Wing Finishing mower with our JD 6200. Quite a blast seeing a swath like that cut in one pass.