LTX 1050 and "gas mileage"

[Johntodd]

Hi!
My LTX1050 runs like a dream, but seems to gulp gasoline like its water.

I have no experience with any other machinery of this type; and I just got this thing last month. So I have nothing to compare to.

It seems to be using way too much gas. Can anybody advise me on this?

And what about ethanol in the gas? Mine has it, but non-ethanol is available.

Thanks!
-John

 

[JTKub]

About a gallon per hour or acre is normal for a 20hp OHV or beyond. Sure is painful with gas the price it is!

Joel

 

[Johntodd]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

No more "feelgood" mowing for me!

Anything to improve gas mileage other than keeping the whole thing in tip-top shape?

Am I mowing too slow? Got the engine revved to max like the book says.

 

[JTKub]

Nothing you can do aside from making the area you mow smaller, or come up with a pattern that allows you to get the job done quicker. It takes a lot of power to spin a 50" deck through grass and run a hydrostatic drive so you've got no choice other than to run it at max governed speed while mowing. You can throttle down for just light driving around.

Joel

 

[Johntodd]

Cool. Throttle down how much? Maybe down 1/3rd to 2/3rds power?

Thanks!

 

[JTKub]

I've putt-putted around at idle with my hydrostatic machines. Mostly just to reposition or park it though. Any mowing or real work and you have to be throttled up all the way.

Joel

 

[Johntodd]

My transmission wines more when I under rev it. I've read the LTX1050's transmission is whiney anyway. So this is normal, right?

 

[rcbe]

My transmission wines more when I under rev it. I've read the LTX1050's transmission is whiney anyway. So this is normal, right?

When under-revved - in general, yes. (mho) Driving tractor at half throttle on level ground and mower deck disengaged should be OK. If terrain is hilly, full throttle best.
Biggest threat to hydros in this situation is lack of cooling. After a typical drive as above, test by carefully touching bare finger to hydro tranny case. If too hot to keep finger on case, then increase engine RPM to maintain adequate hydro tranny cooling by fan (usually located on tranny top under drive belt pulley). Also keep tranny top clean of debris,dirt via compressed air, leaf blower (no garden hose or power washer!). Excessive heat will cause hydro oil to break down in turn accelerating internal wear = early life failure = $$$.

 

[GTSRider]

has anyone come up with a " to be proud of "
gallon per hr @ full mowing throttle ?
I would like to check my 3000 series with the 20hp Kohler engine
to see how it rates .
I did head gaskets, combustion chamber clean, and new carb last fall, and
fuel consumption seems to be twice as good.
I think my gas tank is 6 gal, and I can mow 3 acres twice, and still have fuel left...
so it may be a little better than 1 gal per acre.... but having a reference to gal per hr. would be good.

 

[Johntodd]

Mine is brand new...

Are there any adjustments I should make after its been run "a few hours".

You know...chainsaw chains stretch a lot at first...new guitar strings stretch a lot..and so on.

Gas additives...lighten the wallet..but Seafoam seems to be highly regarded.