Mowing Mowing rpm

[guyw]

Mine is governed at 2650, that's the max. 3000 would be screaming! Rear PTO 540 is on the RPM gauge at about 2500.

My 914A manual says "Tractor engine speed while mowing should be at maximum
rated RPM". My TC18 manual, has a listing in the specifications section for
Maximum Speed where it lists High Idle as 2800-2850 RPM, and Rated as 2600 RPM.
I am assuming that maximum rated RPM for my TC18 is then 2600 RPM, and that is
what I use. Engine speed for rear PTO of 540 RPM is listed as 2503 RPM, and there
is a mark there on the tach indicating that. BTW, my 914A is the 54" version, but the
manual is for both and also specifically for TC18/21/21D Tractors.

Guy.

 

[TCBoomer]

My 914A manual says the tractor should be operating at maximum engine RPMs. I pull mine to WOT when I mow, does a beautiful job.

Brad

You mow at WOT? Wow...in the 9 years I've mowed with a TC and mmm 914, I've never operated over the 540 pto mark on the tach. I was told by my first dealer to run it there. I'll have to recheck what my manual says, but I think it says 540 too.

Did you ever run it at the 540 mark while mowing? If so, how different were the results? I'm thinking I might just give WOT a try.

 

[99SVT]

Will give it a try today and see how it goes.

Thanks for all the advice!!

 

[dqdave1]

Not WOT; run it at rated RPM; normally there is a difference.

 

[RobJ]

For FM I run at 540 rpm for the best cut. However when using the BH I usually bring it down a bit, especially in uncharted cutting areas.

Have Fun1!

Rob

 

[SacandagaBrad]

Not WOT; run it at rated RPM; normally there is a difference.

Definitely a difference, I'm governed within 100 rpms of the rated speed and more than 150 rpms below the max engine speed. The 914A manual implies that max rated speed on the tractor will generate 2000 rpms on the mid PTO, has nothing to do with the 540 rating on the rear according to my dealer. He also told me to pull it open all the way for the best mowing results.

I keep my equipment in good shape, well lubed, blades sharp, etc. I'm not too worried about 100 rpms one way or the other and its effect on a deck that its only recommendation is to run it at the max rated speed. Especially when you lose a few rpms under load. The rear blower that calls for 540 rpm pto speed? Another story, I pin the tach needle right at the mark and keep it there.

Now if it would just dry out and warm up enough to warrant mounting the mower, I'd get to work!

 

[99SVT]

My TZ shows 540 PTO at 3000rpms.

mowed my back acre this evening having it set on 3000rpms... mowed like a champ, best cut so far this season, and the grass was the tallest it has been.

 

[99SVT]

man, it's amazing how well things go when you do them the right way. LOL

Mowed like a champ yesterday!!

 

[TCBoomer]

I'm governed within 100 rpms of the rated speed and more than 150 rpms below the max engine speed. The 914A manual implies that max rated speed on the tractor will generate 2000 rpms on the mid PTO, has nothing to do with the 540 rating on the rear according to my dealer. He also told me to pull it open all the way for the best mowing results.

OK...I'm confused with your quote in bold text. I can't find any mention of rated speed in my manuals. I'm going to go back and reread them shortly.

Just to be clear, you DO run WOT for mowing? Which would equate to about 3K on my TC24DA I believe.

 

[SacandagaBrad]

Yeah, first page of my tractor manual in section 4, Specifications, says Maximum Speed: High Idle -2800 to 2850 RPM and Rated at 2600 RPM. Low idle is 1100 to 1200. I pull the throttle all the way for mowing, engine runs somewhere between 2650 and 2700. So I guess I meant that I'm governed more than 150 rpms below the high idle speed. Even pulled open with no load (high idle I guess?), it doesn't go quite to 2700, so maybe mine is just governed a little slow. Always been like that. This will only be my 5th season of mowing with it, always done a nice job!

My 540 rpm rear pto runs at 2503 rpm engine speed. I always have a little trouble getting that extra 3 rpms dialed in