Engine rpm

[Jeff Saunders]

Is there a minimum rpm I should operate machine at. It's marked on rpm gauge for pto use. I'm still trying to get used to it. My first tractor.

 

[arrow]

Is there a minimum rpm I should operate machine at. It's marked on rpm gauge for pto use. I'm still trying to get used to it. My first tractor.

Not really Jeff if you are just working the tractor and not the pto. The HST machine rpm is going to governed by you based on the load the tractor is attempting depending on the task or speed. You'll get a feel for it the more you use it. PTO use usually has an engine rpm nomenclature to attain the regulated figure of around 540 pto rpm's and is why that engine speed is marked.

 

[Jeff Saunders]

Thanks. I kinda assumed that. However I wasn't sure and didn't want to damage tractor

 

[oosik]

At startup I idle the tractor at around 1200-1400 rpm until it warms up. When traveling from here to there I'm running at 1500-2000 rpm depending upon terrain. Even going down my driveway - when just going from here to there - I only travel at 5-7 mph. Now when I actually start using the tractor - snow plowing, plowing with bottom plow, disking with disk harrow, using land plane grading scraper(LPGS) etc, etc - the forward speed is set so that the implement is doing a good job and the engine rpm is adjusted to be well above lugging the engine. I usually adjust these two variables - land speed & engine rpm - so that the rpm is right around 2000-2100 rpm.

Now that being said - there are always exceptions but these exceptions are when I INCREASE the rpm and maintain the same land speed or decrease the land speed and keep the same rpm. Lord, I hope that makes sense to you.

Using my chipper is a whole different ball game - just run the rpm up to the mark on the tach and start feeding the trees.

 

[RalphVa]

Your tractor can be run full speed all day long throughout its life, and you will not damage it. It's like the old Benz 240Ds. People have been known to run them at maximum speed (about 4,300 rpm) all day long on the autobahns, and many are still running today.

Just run it fast enough not to lug the engine. You'll hear it strain a bit if this happens. Lugging starves the bearings for oil because it gets squeezed out under heavy load when there's not enough flow/pressure to keep it there. Not too many engines this will happen on now-a-days though, as most max out the oil pressure through relief valves at very low rpm. This excess pumping hp draw is what can be reduced via use of synthetic oil with a low 1st number, e.g. 0wxx preferably. Usually cannot get a 0wxx in non synthetic. It's particularly dramatic on my 2.7 liter Tacoma engine. Big mileage increase when going to 0w20 from the prescribed 5w30.

Ralph

 

[docone]

Personally, I run my equipment at whatever rpm needed to get the job done without "LUGGING" the engine. (usually 1700 to 2200) When using PTO implements, run at or near PTO speed as indicated on your tach. My MX5100 like to run at 1800 for most jobs, and I usually burn about 1 gal(imp) per hour.

 

[buickanddeere]

Anywhere between the rpms where peak torque and peak HP is developed. As previously stated and important enough to mention again. Don't lug the engine rpms down with an overload for hours at a time .
1700-2600rpm would be the range while working.