engine speed using fel

mollysmaster · Oct 19, 2004

I was thinking what speed should the enging be going while using the fel? Idle or just above or at 2500 rpm? Is there any difference in the lift at a higher RPM or is it all about the same only a little slower?

Luremaker · Oct 20, 2004

I was moving some packed (been piled for more than a year) top soil today. I ran the engine around 1600 to 1800 rpm in low range and found it was generally easy digging into the pile and lifting a bucket full of top soil. In a few places the soil was really hard and I found that I had to bring the engine to 2300-2400 rpm to really get her to dig into the pile. Last week I moved a lot of wet rotting wood chips and found it easy at 1500 rpm in medium range.

Youare · Oct 20, 2004

I have found that running RPM's 1500 to 1800 gives me all I need for hydraulic power and speed of the FEL. I have a gear drive so that may make a difference.

I feel I am less likely to break something by going at it a little easier. The lower RPM's kind of slows everything down so I can see wants going on and get a better feel for things.

Randy

JimR · Oct 20, 2004

You will have more pressure from your hydraulics at a higher rpm than at an idle. My tractor won't lift very much at an idle. You should run the engine somewhere above 1500 to have decent pressure.

Egon · Oct 20, 2004

Usually I run the B7100 hst at near full throttle for all work. Just seems to work better at that RPM.

Egon

SkyPup · Oct 20, 2004

1,500 to 1,800 rpms always works for us.

Bird · Oct 20, 2004

What does your manual say? I'd guess 2000 rpm, plus or minus 200, and that seemed to work best for me.

art · Oct 20, 2004

It really depends on the job. The hydraulics are at the best when at or near full throttle. Tough to justify for many jobs we do with loaders but it is good to remember that if used at to low of RPM it could cause problems with the pump cavitating and premature failure. If your are asking it to dig hard, pull the throttle on hard.

B2400 · Oct 20, 2004

My B2400 operates comfortably at approx. 1900rpm's. It seems to have all the hydraulic power as at higher rpms, but uses less fuel and still has good response time.

Dargo · Oct 20, 2004

A retired tractor mechanic who put in 40 years fixing JD's, Case, IH, Kubota's and several other brands advised me that generally 2000 RPM or so for most all FEL work is fine unless more power is required. Then he said, give it all she has! He feels that running at full throttle at all times only wastes fuel and you really do not gain any benefit unless you are pushing the machine to it's limits. I tend to believe him since he has repaired most everyone's tractor that I know and they all call him the wizard or "doc".