3 cylinder vs 4 cylinder debate

[ZJ_HR]

You can see two 3-cylinder engines in my avatar.
Smaller one has licensed FIAT engine, known in Long tractors there decades ago, 2,34 litre 45HP@2400rpm,
Bigger one has SAME air cooled engine, 3,0 litre with turbo, 70HP@2350, know there also as AGCO5660 (version without turbo, 60HP).

My conclusion: I'll buy 3-cyl FIAT engine again, as it is smooth running, quiet, no vibration, very explosive engine, like run even to 2600rpm .
SAME engine has big vibrations (feel on steering wheel, especially under 1500rpm), high noise (even on liquid cooled engine version) with rattle sound, high peak torque, but low torque at nominal speed, and hate high rpm (over 2200). I'm regretting that I didn't buy 4-cyl version (4 litre).
So, it's up to the engine construction.

Today, Fendt produces 200 series tractors from 80-115HP engine with 3-cylinder 3,3 litre engine... In a old days 89...90HP was border to 4/6-cyl engine...
Bigger frame, Fendt 300 series , has 4-cylinder 4,4 litre engine in equal power range.

My 2 cents...

 

[Texasmark]

My 2000 is 4 cyl and 3000 is 3 cyl. putting out around 35 and 40 hp respectively. The 4 is quieter and smoother, hands down. That 3 is a smooth running (relatively speaking) slightly higher hp than the 4, and is quiet with minor vibrations. The 3910 upping the hp by 10, is a different block casting, seems to have much more casting braces added, and the only difference is the diameter of the piston moved from 4.2" to 4.4. The 2000 is "under square" (bore-stroke), the 3000 square, and the 3910 over square. The 3910 is very noisy and high vibrations with only 900 engine hours.....the 2 and 3000 have over 3500 each. Owners of the higher HP 3 cyl fords report on average, noisy engines. I had a 4600 years ago that was 4.4x4.4, 55 or so hp, forget exact amount, and it too was noisy.

The 6530 is 65 hp running PTO at 2600 rpms rather than the 1800 on the Fords, is 4 cyl, a Cummins design, License mfgred., and is smooth as silk and quiet. The little 2400 is swirl chamber 3 and sounds funny due to the swirl induction but it's smooth and quiet at 3 cyl, also a Cummins licensed engine.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

My Mahindra 5555 is 3 cylinder and boy does it start easy in the cold weather.

Starts much easier than my “old” 2005 JD 4320 did.

 

[oosik]

I'm retired and have a better solution. When it's really cold outside - I stay inside. Yes my M6040 starts easily in really cold wx. But just the thought of laying my buns on that frozen vinyl seat - I'm having another cup of coffee.

Do I ever worry about the fuel consumption on my M6040 - H*LL NO. I'm a whole lot more concerned about getting the job completed.

Leave fuel consumption worries and tire slippage worries to the real farmers. These are worries that affect their bottom line .............

 

[3gunr]

I have 2 three cyl tractors and 1 four cyl . They all start easy but the 4 cyl is much quieter a smoother running . It does burn more fuel , but it is a hydro compared to gear. I dont think the number of cyl would affect my buying decision though.