can't see my bx1850 tachometer,should i add another/

shrekbelly · Jul 21, 2008

friends and esteemed forum contributors,
on a good day with the right amount of food and sleep, i might soar to the towering height of 5 ft 7 inches tall, with my namesake belly, seeing my tractor's tachometer is an impossibility.
i'd like to know engine rpm for running the mmm as efficeintly (sp) as possible . . . as well as getting it right for rear pto use (my tilller will be forthcoming).
i suppose, i could always try to semi stand to get a glimpse of the tach . . . or purchase a tiny tach and mount it somewhere more visable.
as a kubota greenhorn, rookie, rube, grasshopper my learning curve, is a big one . . . i admit to not knowning a whole lot.
has anyone thought about this one? oh, BTW, i don't want to sit on phone books or pampers packages. thanks in advance for your replies- robert a.
a.k/a shrekbelly

Volfandt · Jul 22, 2008

FWIW, the earlier model BX's didn't have a tach. We've all learned to efficently operate our machines by the proverbial seat of our pants

This may re-start the non-ending debate of what engine rpm is the best for all the differing jobs these machines will do and I adjust my rpm accordingly.
For finish mowing, I set the throttle lever at approx 3 o'clock which is about a hair back from WOT, I've found that this works best for me which = best finish cut.
High blade tip speed is the key to a great finish cut (ala commercial mowers) and to achieve high blade tip speeds one needs high engine rpm.
For BH work I also run at about the same rpm as finish mowing as I want all the speed and power I can get out of my BX23

For general transporting I can vary anywhere from 2 o clock to 3 oclock, generally staying on the low side of needed rpm's without lugging the engine.

In any case, do whatcha gotta do

shrekbelly · Jul 22, 2008

volfandt,
starting an unending debate debate was not my aim. your suggestion, noting the throttle arm position is a simple/great idea.
i'll search thru the archives to review past postings and debates.
thanks, shrekbelly
p.s. senior in age, bx rookie, true orange believer!

kevinj · Jul 22, 2008

shrekbelly said:
volfandt,
starting an unending debate debate was not my aim. your suggestion, noting the throttle arm position is a simple/great idea.
i'll search thru the archives to review past postings and debates.
thanks, shrekbelly
p.s. senior in age, bx rookie, true orange believer!

I agree with Volfandt. I seldom look at the tach. Snowblower runs best with the lever pulled down tight and the mower at the 3:00 position is about 3000 on the tach. It does not take long to learn a machine and where it needs to run.

mrwitty_1 · Jul 22, 2008

I have a B7100 HST that did not have a factory tach and much like you would like to see what the engine speed was to run the tractor at optimum power rating, in a web search I found that all the ratings, PTO speed, peak hp etc was at 2800 rpm. I have added a Tiny Tach and noticed that the mower does much better at the rated rpm, like was said in previous posts, after a bit of seat time you will get the feel of when you are lugging the engine. I have used Tiny Tach's on my small engines for years and with the diesel it's great for service reminders.

actionaj · Jul 22, 2008

I don't care to much for digital tachs I would rather have a anolog tachometer any time. I wish the hour meter and tach was seperate on my 2350 or at least be able to switch back an forth with the motor running.

shrekbelly · Jul 23, 2008

i know you genltemen are correct about not needing or having the tach, and that ultimately, i'll get used to the engine sounds . . . part of me is always looking for a way to re-invent things my way.
i'll figure out a way to mark throttle positions for the mmm and rear pto.
thanks --- shrekbelly