I Still Hate My Tractor

[ddb123]

I have posted some comments comparing my experience with gear and hydrostatic tractors to those of Fred and ovrszd, but I hope I didn't come across as hypercritical. I will be disappointed if we don't find out at least find out what happens after the turbo goes on.

I was going to put my tractor to the hill + FEL test today like James did with his, but something came up and it will have to wait until tomorrow. I guess I can spend today thinking of an excuse in case my Kubota doesn't perform as well as his Kioti!

 

[slowzuki]

Re snowblower comment earlier, my 7 ft blower is the highest pto load I use on my L5030HSTC, it has to be run at or near pto speed in deep snow or you won't get much done. I drive the hst pedal to the governor, that is if I lose much rpm I slow down until it recovers. I do this for about 5-8 hours per storm clearing all my route. It can be frustrating as you can stall the tractor but I've put the blower on my 100 hp tractor as well and it can stall that tractor too if you get too aggressive.

A snowblower doesn't drop off if load very quickly so it acts like towing a heavy trailer in high range, you can bog the engine out. BTW we tow 16,000 lb+ hay wagons in high range all summer with our L5030 as well. Not a speed demon but it works. Have to be careful accelerating and if you stop on a hill you will be in medium to start off and won't get back to high until the other side.

Only other time I used to run out of power was round baling with it in hills. If I left the loader on you couldn't run the A/C going up the steepest hills. With the loader dropped it made the difference.

Based on other loads, I'd say the A/C saps about 5 hp when running. The hydraulics are about 7 hp on mine when run against the relief valve or doing loader work. Thats 12 hp against an engine with 42 pto hp. No surprise a smaller L can run out of power. I happen to like the weight as its a great loader tractor for its size with loaded tires and some weight on the hitch.

 

[ddb123]

In regard to ovrszd's recommendation to try it at RPMs below 1500, there is no doubt that you are correct and the HST will royally suck at those RPMs. My gear L4300 would putt around all day with no problem at idle or just above idle. My dad, uncles, grandpa, etc love to run their tractors at very low RPMs whether using the loader, pulling a plow, or even running a mower, but I have always been one to run tractors with RPMs up in the power band. It seems to me like less work on the motor to work it where it is strongest rather than where it is weakest. Their motors last a long time, and (so far) so do mine, so maybe there isn't a huge difference in wear after all. From what little I understand about engines, diesels are supposedly much more efficient at higher RPMs. (I know this isn't necessarily Fred's issue, as he stated that he was running at 2400 RPMs when he had the problem)

I experimented with all ranges of RPMs with my older gear tractor and my new HST tractor, and I've noticed that my new tractor uses as little fuel at high RPMs as my old tractor did at low RPMs. My old tractor would suck fuel at WOT though, so that probably has more to do with the newer engine being more efficient.

 

[txdon]

Looks like a post got deleted? I was looking forward to my mickey Ds' gift certificate .

I saw that too. He also said he changed out the fuel filter, so at least he did consider the old diesel to be a problem before he decided it was air not fuel related. . . . or maybe he just had a AH HA moment.

Going back to - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/288784-diesel-fuel-how-old-too.html

 

[bandaidmd]

This is more disappointing than the Sopranos last episode, we need closure.

 

[Bota4me]

I say go for it fred! Heck if you have the money supercharge that puppy up also while its apart

 

[Bota4me]

Nitrous anyone??

 

[k0ua]

I have posted some comments comparing my experience with gear and hydrostatic tractors to those of Fred and ovrszd, but I hope I didn't come across as hypercritical. I will be disappointed if we don't find out at least find out what happens after the turbo goes on.

I was going to put my tractor to the hill + FEL test today like James did with his, but something came up and it will have to wait until tomorrow. I guess I can spend today thinking of an excuse in case my Kubota doesn't perform as well as his Kioti!

David. I am sure your Kubota will do just fine. It would be interesting to see your results.

 

[TexasBoy]

I hope Fred will post his results, Im genuinely curious how this mod will work out. The dirt tracker in me just cant help but be interested.

:thumbsup:

 

[aczlan]

I hope Fred will post his results, Im genuinely curious how this mod will work out.

I am as well. I still think something isn't right if the engine will drop 1500 RPMs from lifting a empty loader while driving around and I would find and fix that first (perhaps a test drive of another L3940HSTC would be in order?), but from a technical perspective, seeing the steps to turbo a machine interest me.

Aaron Z