3 cylinder vs 4 cylinder

[Milo]

It seems like my mx 5100 uses a lot of fuel for no more time than I use it

My only reference is from mowing the same area with my little JD X310 then my B7500 and later my B2650. They both used far less fuel than the little X310 did gasoline. My neighbor with a MF (I don't recall the model) but it's about 15-20 years old with a 40 something HP Perkins engine and he seems to use a lot more fuel mowing fields with his RC than I do mowing similar fields with a flail on my L2501. But this may be because my tractor only has 25 HP.

 

[Big Barn]

This is more of a question on how well the engine is designed, not the number of cylinders. 3 cyl is very common on all kinds of tractors well past 100hp so it has advantages over a 4 cyl.

agreed.

Off the top of my head we’ve had quite a few 3 cylinder diesels. A Fordson Dexta, two Ford 3000’s, two Ford 4600’s, a Ford 3910 all smooth and trouble free.

I can’t say for certainty about our Ford 3930 as I traded it in after a season. ( No AC available for cab model that model year)

 

[ovrszd]

agreed.

Off the top of my head we’ve had quite a few 3 cylinder diesels. A Fordson Dexta, two Ford 3000’s, two Ford 4600’s, a Ford 3910 all smooth and trouble free.

I can’t say for certainty about our Ford 3930 as I traded it in after a season. ( No AC available for cab model that model year)

I can't remember the exact year, thinking 1973, Dad bought a new Ford 4000 with a 3cyl gas engine.

 

[Big Barn]

I can't remember the exact year, thinking 1973, Dad bought a new Ford 4000 with a 3cyl gas engine.

My dad brought in a new “bootleg” Ford 5000 into Canada from England in 1965 and a second 5000 (made in England but export model) around 1973 IIRC.

 

[blacktruck]

I know most if not all of the 30 - 40 HP compacts either have a 3 or 4 cylinder. Wouldn't the 4 cylinder be a smoother engine by default? If you had a choice between a 3 or 4 cylinder, which would you choose?

As I buy another tractor in a few months, one question that will not come up is whether it is a three or four cylinder engine. All of the engine manufacturers today are making some really great engines that far exceed anything we could have gotten even a few years ago. The vibration level in either would only be discernible with a very perceptive operator or testing equipment. There is a slight difference in the sound of a three cylinder versus four but it is hardly noticeable in a diesel. Unlike a three cylinder motorcycle engine (ask a Triumph owner) When it comes to small diesel engines I have had more three cylinders than four cylinders. Certainly my opinion but I would be far more concerned about the other features of the tractor than the number of jugs it has.

 

[Industrial Toys]

To me, a manufacturers committment to quality would come before number of cylinders or "features".

 

[ovrszd]

As I buy another tractor in a few months, one question that will not come up is whether it is a three or four cylinder engine. All of the engine manufacturers today are making some really great engines that far exceed anything we could have gotten even a few years ago. The vibration level in either would only be discernible with a very perceptive operator or testing equipment. There is a slight difference in the sound of a three cylinder versus four but it is hardly noticeable in a diesel. Unlike a three cylinder motorcycle engine (ask a Triumph owner) When it comes to small diesel engines I have had more three cylinders than four cylinders. Certainly my opinion but I would be far more concerned about the other features of the tractor than the number of jugs it has.

Me too.

 

[PILOON]

Any serious manufacture that offers a 3 cyl (Kubota, Deere, Mitsubishi,ex) as an option would not scare me.
Those firms are out to protect their brand.
You can even add Turbo to that equation.

 

[5030]

Had a pair of Ford/Lehman 135HP diesels in a 44' DeFever motor yacht.
2 gal. per hour per engine, with 900 gal. fuel capacity.
Great efficiency, and great range!

My father-in-law had a pair of V8 Cats in his 54 Bertram and the sucked fuel like it was water but it went like greased lightning. You could water ski behind it. Nice tub.

 

[goeduck]

Agree that vibration is not really noticeable on a new tractor. Heck, with my 45 year old Massey 3 cylinder I consider it smooth.