Oil & Fuel 3x20 Cab fuel guage.

[WH401]

When I was mowing with mine for the first time in late summer, the guage would move to between 3/4 and half after 2hrs at pto speed from a full tank. Then after another 2 hrs at pto speed, it would go to 1/4. When the guage shows 1/4 i still have 9.5 gallons left in the tank. Also the guage never really shows full, the highest it goes is 7/8 even if I fill the tank to just below the neck. No big deal though, I have never had a tractor that either had a fuel guage or one that functioned properly, so I just based it on hourly calculations.

 

[Nuru]

When I was mowing with mine for the first time in late summer, the guage would move to between 3/4 and half after 2hrs at pto speed from a full tank. Then after another 2 hrs at pto speed, it would go to 1/4. When the guage shows 1/4 i still have 9.5 gallons left in the tank. Also the guage never really shows full, the highest it goes is 7/8 even if I fill the tank to just below the neck. No big deal though, I have never had a tractor that either had a fuel guage or one that functioned properly, so I just based it on hourly calculations.

Last weekend I ran for about 6 hours (left it running over lunch too - forgot it was on it was so quiet! ), and the tank slowly dropped down to 1/3 a tank from almost full (I think - it could have been less). So next time I fill it up, I will watch it more closely.

 

[Karl2]

Well, now I know for sure my fuel gauge cannot be trusted, at least not when it's cold. Worked for a few hours blowing snow and gauge remained between 1/2 and 1/4 then poof, engine just stops with gauge still at 1/4. Initially I didn't even suspect the tank was empty and spent a few tedious hours troubleshooting my dead machine, then figured I'd drain the remaining fuel and check filters, but not before first adding new fuel and see what happens.

Went to purchase 10 gallons of fresh diesel and some stuff that prevents fuel gelling. At first I poured only about a gallon and went to check if the gauge had reacted and guess what, it was now reading a full tank! wtf? Gave up on gauge accuracy and poured the whole 10 gallons in the tank with room to spare, dang thing was as dry as Death Valley. Turned the key and it started right up and ran great for a whole 15 seconds or so, then died. Took me another few hours and searching this forum to realize I had neglected to use the hand primer. Doh! Of course by then I had completely drained the battery so I had to boost it with my old pickup. Took a lot of priming but got it running at last, been running smoothly for 30 minutes now, I'm letting the battery charge.

Moral of the story: don't trust fuel gauge and if you run dry, prime!

Now gotta get up at 4am to finish job I was supposed to do tonight, sigh!

 

[zr2blz]

My gauge is working great. When it hits 1/2 full I put in a 5 gallon can. I'm getting about 3 hours per gallon. Don't run high RPMs doing loader / backhoe work. I have 400 hours on her and it's one year old.

 

[Ramairfreak98ss]

i only have 7hrs on my 4720, hardly have run any rpms into it, like 1500 or less so it hasnt really been worked yet, just driving around a little, idling, messing with attachments etc.

its still on F, for a 13.8 gallon tank for the cab. I hope this thing can run around 1gallon per hour with pushing snow, that would net me all day plowing time for one tank

Says in the specs it can eat up like 3gph through, id guess thats wide open with a heavy load with the turbo going full the whole time. Ive only heard the turbo faintly spool up one or two times now

 

[Ramairfreak98ss]

karl2, where is the hand primer? somewhere near the fuel water seperator? is that only when they run dry?

 

[Karl2]

karl2, where is the hand primer? somewhere near the fuel water seperator?

Yes, it's right on top of it.

is that only when they run dry?

I guess anytime you need to flush fuel lines you may have to prime but if you run run dry you must prime after refueling or it won't start.

Noticed another fuel oddity today, after running about 6 hours on high rpm on my 10 gallons I noticed the message "lo fuel" was displayed on the digital readout but the gauge was still reading full and I was in my own parking lot so I didn't pay attention to it... and ran dry again, this time with gauge still on full. I thought at least the computer tells me when I'm low on fuel but the same message appeared again about 90 minutes after I filled the tank. Thinking I may be dealing with a leak I looked in the tank but it was still almost full to the brim. I really think cold temps play tricks on the fuel gauging system on this tractor. Not a big deal I guess.

 

[Nuru]

You might want to ask a local dealer about that issue and see if they have technical service bulletin on that problem.

 

[Karl2]

You might want to ask a local dealer about that issue and see if they have technical service bulletin on that problem.

Good idea

 

[Nuru]

Yeah, I actually ask here and use that as background info when I go into the dealer on the hard issues.