How exactly does an hour meter work ?

Golfgar4 · Dec 12, 2003

( Real tractor men use pocket watches...... )

Well then, I'll just have to make sure I get my dealer to throw in a pocket watch when I buy my tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But will I have to give up my free 50 hour service to get it? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Slamfire · Dec 12, 2003

Most likely, tractor dealers ain't much for "to boot"s.

Casimir · Dec 12, 2003

JDGREEN4ME answered the question, I believe. The PTO does not have to be engaged, but the clock will only register the exact running hours at that RPM. Lower RPMs will add up the hours more slowly, and faster RPMs will add up hours faster than your actual running time. I would guess the logic behind this is that the wear and tear on your tractor is less at lower RPMs and more at higher RPMs -- makes some sense to me. However, the hour meter is just one way to measure how much the tractor has been used. A tractor that shows a lot of wear and tear on the outside (dents, faded paint, etc), but low hours, would be suspect. Conversely, a well-maintained tractor may show a lot of hours on the meter, but still be in excellent condition inside and out. I find the hour meter most helpful for reminding me of service intervals and keeping me from going too long between them. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Soundguy · Dec 12, 2003

What would be nice to see is a hourmeter that kept a total of 'running' time, and rpm based time. That is.. did the electronic clock thing when ignition on, and rpm based hours.. let you compair engine ontime to load.

Soundguy

art · Dec 12, 2003

Just another note on this. The old farm tractors for the most part worked off the PTO speed accumulated for hours, when they switched to the hour per hour we found what used to be about 300 hours a year went to 500. I think that was also about the time they started extending the oil change intervals of the tractors beyond the 100 hour.

Trev · Dec 12, 2003

Just a couple of things to mention here...

1) When the dealer installed an hour meter on my first garden tractor, he accidentally hooked it to a hot wire.. and I was amazed at how many hours my tractor accumulated while sitting idle for a few days! The mechanic was really embarrassed!

2) After I had my JD4300 for about a year, including the week when it ran almost 24x7 turning a generator during the ice storm, I had the fix done that prevents the instrument panel from fogging up during hard running on hot days. Got the tractor back with a new hour meter reading zero hours. Don't trust the hour meter when looking for a used tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Bob

755inNY · Dec 12, 2003

Another version of the electric hour meter only counts time when the key is on AND there is oil pressure. This keeps the hour meter from counting when the key is on but the engine is not running.

Jeff

farmerdick · Dec 12, 2003

Is # 2 like plastic surgery, get the visible panel replaced, look younger, but real age doesn't change ?

Trev · Dec 12, 2003

( Is # 2 like plastic surgery, get the visible panel replaced, look younger, but real age doesn't change ? )

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Precisely.. and with any luck your tractor doesn't end up looking like the Joker when you get done. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

farmerdick · Dec 12, 2003

Trev, a question not related to the original topic. How do you like your LandPride FS 500 ? Any problem with corrosion ? I'm planning to purchase a spreader for next year for my 4310.
[BTW, we'll be in Rochester at Christmas visiting relatives]