Engine speed cruise control

JLwoodworks · Oct 4, 2015

Hi guys,

Along with the change to a common rail engine, this tractor has what they refer to as engine speed cruise control (ESC)

They explain how to use it in the manual, but don't offer and reason why to use it.

I have the normal lever on the dash for throttle, and then the esc system. It stores an rpm that you set, shown on the lcd in the dash.
I can turn the system on, and then activate it pushing the button further. At which point the engine rpm will go up to your saved setting.
Then you can use a second switch to adjust the rpm up or down and save that if desired.
All that sounds nice, but it won't work if the brake is depressed.

So when would I use such a thing? If you're driving with it and tap the brake it drops back to idle. You can't use it to warm the tractor up as it won't work with the parking brake on.

Any suggestions?

I haven't tried it under load to see if it will raise the throttle to maintain that rpm if perhaps I were climbing a hill.

Thanks

Jay

BlessedMess · Oct 5, 2015

Just taking a stab here, but it may be more to keep the PTO shaft rotating at the desired RPMs (e.g. 540) vs. to keep ground speed constant (as associated with vehicle cruise control)?

If ground speed is constant, RPMs and gear selections will vary widely to maintain 65mph in hilly terrain in a vehicle. If engine/PTO speed is constant on a tractor, it may decelerate/accelerate ground speed on grades but the bush hog or tiller spline would keep rotating at the predetermined RPMs. Also may have value when suddenly hitting a real thick patch of grass when bush hogging, or dense soil when tilling... the computer will automatically "goose" the throttle to keep engine from bogging down, and then throttle back down afterwards?

Honestly I've seen ground speed cruise on HST equipped Kioti's... never heard of engine speed cruise.

charles todd · Oct 5, 2015

Maybe it's for setting the engine speed for a desired ground speed, PTO speed ect? You tap the brake it idles down, make a turn or whatever then once lined back out engage ESC to bring engine RPM back up... Repeatable engine RPM return.

CT

JLwoodworks · Oct 5, 2015

I think you guys are onto something. More testing is required. My driveway is an incline, perhaps I'll try the cruise control with and without the esc. I know with the hst if I have the throttle set with the lever and push the pedal harder up the hill it will really cut the rpm.
The other factor here is that you can use both the lever and esc together. So when you hit the brake it will only drop to where the lever is set. Perhaps you might set the 2 together and it will maintain that rpm.