Earthforce EF-500/I-R BL575 update

MChalkley · Jun 20, 2003

( Hey Mark,
How about a quick refresher as to what the engine is in that unit(manufacturer, displacment, cylinders, etc...). ) (sarcastic remark snipped /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

It's a Kubota V2003-T 56hp 4-cyl 122 cu.in. turbo diesel (the link gives you the long-winded info, should you chose to click it...) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MChalkley · Jun 20, 2003

( I think it was the new version of yours, )

Rat - That's interesting. I'd like to know the model, if you get a chance to look at it again, because the model that replaced mine is technically supposed to be available only through I-R dealers and I'm not sure they're even marketing it yet.

_RaT_ · Jun 20, 2003

I will, the dealer is about 30 miles away down in Sacramento, Bobcat West as I recall they are called. They are also located in the Bay area.

Bird · Jun 20, 2003

( almost got to have something to do with the turbo )

That's the only thing that would make sense to me. I don't know just how true it is, but I've always heard that a turbo on a gas engine increases power but decreases fuel economy and life span, while a turbo on a diesel increases both power and fuel economy without decreasing life span.

MChalkley · Jun 20, 2003

( I've always heard that a turbo on a gas engine increases power but decreases fuel economy and life span, while a turbo on a diesel increases both power and fuel economy without decreasing life span. )

I've heard the same thing. I know for a fact that the turbo on a diesel can increase both power and economy (at the same time, even, for a given power output), and I even understand why, but I've never known what the logical argument for increasing lifespan could be. If you're increasing power, you've got to be increasing pressures and heat, both of which have got to be decreasing lifespan (or having no/neglible effect, if the engine is over-built for the given power output). Or so it seems to me...

Anonymous Poster · Jun 20, 2003

( I know for a fact that the turbo on a diesel can increase both power and economy (at the same time, even, for a given power output), and I even understand why, but I've never known what the logical argument for increasing lifespan could be. If you're increasing power, you've got to be increasing pressures and heat, both of which have got to be decreasing lifespan (or having no/neglible effect, if the engine is over-built for the given power output). )

Let me take a shot at this. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

If power and economy are both increased by the addition of the turbo, it follows that efficiency must also be increased. What can the turbo do besides cram more air into the cylinder? The only thing I can think of it to increase the swirl effect--probably drastically, thereby increasing efficiency through improved fuel air mixing.

If all this is true, if would follow that in a conventional inefficient diesel there must be uneven mixing leading to unburned fuel going out the exhaust and less than optimal power output and reduced mileage.

If there is unburned fuel swirling around the cylinder, some of it will wash oil of off the cylinder walls leading to reduced lubrication and increased wear. Hence, a turbo diesel has better cylinder lubrication and a longer life.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

SnowRidge

Bird · Jun 20, 2003

( That's my story and I'm stickin' to it )

I really don't know whether you're right or not, but it sounds good to me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · Jun 21, 2003

Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

_RaT_ · Jun 21, 2003

"If there is unburned fuel swirling around the cylinder, some of it will wash oil of off the cylinder walls leading to reduced lubrication and increased wear. Hence, a turbo diesel has better cylinder lubrication and a longer life."

Except that all of that packed in and hopefully cooler air is all in well before the fuel is added by the injection on a direct injection engine. Now on the Kubotas ETVS diesel, that is not necessarily the case since the fuel is injected into a combustion chamber separate from that of the piston and cylinder. Kubotas claim is that a 3 vortex air flow mixes with the fuel more thouroughly and then proceeds through a compressed air inlet which is a slightly recessed area atop the piston. A cleaner burn is the result which must be true because they were or are the only compact diesels currently meeting the CARB requirements. So for what its worth, thats my little spin on it. Rat...

Anonymous Poster · Jun 22, 2003

( Except that all of that packed in and hopefully cooler air is all in well before the fuel is added by the injection on a direct injection engine. )

Except the except doesn't make an exception to my theory. (How's that for out Billing Bill.) When the fuel is injected, it is injected into a cylinder that has air that is swirling, be it turbo or not. Turbos simply have more swirl.

In the case of indirect injection, the burning fuel rich mix from the prechamber mixs with the swirling air in the cylinder. The end result of turbocharging is the same--better efficiency and less raw fuel washing the cylinder walls due to increased swirl.

BTW, I don't know how the air could be cooler after being compressed by the turbo, unless the engine has an intercooler. Even then, it wouldn't be cooler than ambient air.

SnowRidge