My new kubota is a dieselholic!!

[Killer_B]

Wow. My one year old 33HP (non-cab) JD 3320 has averaged .6 gallons per hour over the 170 hours it now has on the meter. That would be a mixture of finish mowing, brush hogging, loader work, snow blowing and snow plowing. Maybe I got in before the new EPA regulations?

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." - Ronald Reagan

KB

 

[john_bud]

When did the New Emissions kick in? '07-'08? Mdls.

I think most are gearing up for the '10 standards and started in 07 or 08 models. (Not positive!)

Also, the new ULSD is lower in energy content than the old LSD.

 

[art]

When spec'ing new tractor mower combinations we try to find the right mowers to go with the right tractors. In this case there was two changes.

Different mowers require different horsepowers between the brands! The difference being the pulleys diameters and the blade weights that are used. They do make a big difference! There are decks that although they are designed for the same purpose will often take close to ten more horsepower then a mower at the same width even at 72" cut.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thats not the reason because My 3430 was a cab with air and it had hst transmission. My comparison is apples to apples.

Probably oughta see if you can get it back.
larry

 

[Charlesaf3]

I find my m59 gets around a gallon an hour doing loader work, with minor fuel management (ie I turn down the throttle when I get out to do something). I wouldn't be surprised if that went to 1.6 and past with the PTO - haven't tried it yet.

Like Lawn King, I find the b3030 doesn't noticeably use fuel. Its bizarrely fuel efficient.

 

[keving]

I'm getting about 1.6 GPH mowing with my M7040 Cab with a Woods RM990, Air-con on high, radio-blasting, 2nd gear H, 8.5mph, on hilly ground... I think you need a bigger tractor!

 

[jas67]

I did 11 hour of box blading and FEL work this weekend, with my B7100Hst, with the throttle wide open as long as it was moving, and I only used 3 gallons. The is an average of less than .3 gal/hr.

At 16HP, the B7100, has 1/2 the power or yours, but similar work with larger implements, should use about .6 gal/hr, if things scale linearly.

 

[AndyinIowa]

I've performed field customer surveys, and although you may *think* you are operating a new vehicle the same, often there are a combination of different conditions that contribute to performance observations (such as fuel consumption). Examples I've experienced:

1. New vehicle has more comfotrable ride (due to air ride seat, etc..) and operates the vehicle more aggressively. In this case, the operator swore they were doing everything the same, but instrumentation clearly showed they accelerated about 30% harder after turns, and field speeds were 1.4 mph faster on average for the 80 acre test. Vehicle also burnt 7% more fuel as a result.

2. Fuel consumption - We did a very fun experiment where we had operators fill the vehicle with normal transfer hose, and then switched the hose to one that was 1/4" smaller (operators didn't know what we changed). The result was it took about 4 minutes longer to fill, and ALL FOUR operators complained that the vehicle burned more fuel in the field.

3. Placebo - Operator complained that prototype vehicle wasn't responsive, so I plugged in laptop, checked out the settings, unhooked, and told operator I boosted engine by 11%. Operator ran the rest of the day, and at dinner that night was praising that the higher powered prototype could run circles around the other pilot machines. The best part was I didn't adjust any of the engine parameters....just checked them...

If you have two tractors, and suspect the fuel consumption is way off, the best way to verify is with a fixed load test. Get a dyno or generator (something with a controllable load) and run enough fuel through to offset small test variances (I recommend a minimum of 3 hours at 1/2 load).

That will give you much more accurate comparisons.

IowaAndy

 

[mark2610d]

You know I really think it's the mower sucking the extra fuel. Before I had a sitrex 6' rfm behind my 3430 and it did not spin up like the Woods PRD 6'. I have noticed the woods has much much more blade speed and has a loud fan type sound when operating it a pto speed. If you cross over any grass that is thined out it will make a dust bowl (very think dust) in a matter of seconds. My sitrex never made that much dust stir up. My sitrex I think used much less hp to operate it. I might be wrong but I really think the Woods mower is designed for bigger tractors with more PTO hp.

Mark

 

[Happyman]

Sorry guys....I don't get it.
We have TRACTORS, not CARS. Fuel usage is my last thought. I'm more concerned with productivity. My L3940 with a Woods PRD 8400 cuts 20 acres of pasture (bumpy at that) and I only fill up once. 13 gallons to start and by the time I'm done (many hours later) I still have more then 1/4 tank. Even if I had to stop to fill up it wouldn't matter to me. It's all about productivity, not fuel economy.
At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it .