Buying Advice Elevation and the need for a turbo?

[KNPV PSD]

Doing my research for a purchase and just thought of a question that I am not sure if I should really allow to influence my decision.

My place is at exactly 4000' ASL. I am looking at Utility tractors in the 35-60 HP range. Will the amount of power loss at 4000' be enough to justify stepping up in size to get a turbo equipped engine?

Let's use the scenario of I have decided a 45 HP model is absolutely ideal for me based on wheelbase, chassis width, weight, etc... But that engine is normally aspirated. If I want a turbo I need to get the 60 hp rig but the chassis of that rig is just a little larger than would be optimal for my needs.

Which rig would you get in that situation? Do you allow the turbo to even influence the decision if my elevation is only 4000?

Thanks for all the advice!

(this is only one question in my process and I have about a year to decide. I just wanted to get this answer real quick.)

 

[mcfarmall]

JD 3038e is a turbo and a mere 38hp.

 

[jeff9366]

The first 1,000 feet of altitude is the base line.

At 2,000 feet 3% power loss.

At 3,000 feet 6% power loss.

At 4,000 feet 9% power loss.

At 4,000 feet 45-hp engine will generate about 41-hp.

Temperature affects power output from a normally aspirated engine too. Hot intake air is a tad thinner than cold/cool air.

So take these calculations as approximate.


Normally I recommend buying more horsepower at purchase. But in your situation, more horsepower requires the complexity of a turbocharger. I am dedicated to simplicity in tractor decisions.

Are you sure there will not be a change from a three cylinder diesel engine to a four cylinder diesel engine for the added power? There is often an increase of one combustion cylinder in tractors of this power. Check it.
I prefer three cylinder engines over four cylinder engines of about same power output.

What PTO driven applications do you foresee? The two most common PTO applications which really need power are Rotary Cutters (AKA Bush Hogs) and blowing snow. In snow, power determines width of implement and distance snow can be blown.

 

[jeff9366]

YES.

If you google this topic or search T-B-N you will find that the first 1,000 feet, more often first 1,500 feet of altitude is 'gratis'.

Why, I cannot say but several academic papers use this standard.

 

[Agvg]

A diesel always gets better with a turbo, and turboes are from the fifties, it's not a new invention but some thinks it needs 100 years before it's safe to buy...

 

[California]

A diesel always gets better with a turbo, and turboes are from the fifties, it's not a new invention but some thinks it needs 100 years before it's safe to buy...

I think it was the VW diesels where owner groups invariably cautioned that only the latest spec oils were suitable because the turbo heats oil to a higher temperature than a non-turbo. So in contrast to a turbo engine, a non-turbo could use any oil of reasonable quality, it doesn't need anything special.

 

[Agvg]

Low output diesels doesn't need any special oil, all normal oil handles turbos just fine on a tractor.

 

[Agvg]

And VW turbodiesels has been around for many decades, not much happens to them.

 

[ptsg]

And VW turbodiesels has been around for many decades, not much happens to them.

They hold just fine even with all the abuse from the geniuses that open the VE pumps all the way just to roll coal.

 

[LouNY]

Another feature to consider is your fuel efficiency, the turbo'ed engine will not lose as much fuel efficiency as a non turbo,
especially with the hot dry air in Montana in the summer at 4000 ft, it would not be as noticeable in the winter.
Also in general I'd just as soon have a turbo'ed engine most any time over the same size engine without one.