My new kubota is a dieselholic!!

[AndyinIowa]

If you are running a business, HOC (hourly operating costs) are critical. Too many small business owners fail to calculate their operating costs when they buy new equipment. Fuel is normally the biggest contributor to operating costs. If a new tractor consumes xx% more fuel per hour, you are profiting less as a result.

For those of us who aren't generating income from the tractor, fuel costs just lump themselves into the TCO (total cost of operation) number.

Being the engineer I am, I have been tracking every penny I spend to own and operate the BX2350. Its interesting to watch operating costs accumulate based on season, projects, etc... Fuel isn't much, but it DOES put a dent in the project budget! Based on my numbers so far, I'm running about $9 per hour TCO assuming a 3000 hour tractor life and 500 hour implement lives. So, if I think a project will take 50 hours, I budget $450 against the project to offset the tractor.

Why do this, you ask? It helps when wifey lines up 6 major projects for the summer. Suddenly the tractor is paying for itself!

IowaAndy

 

[mark2610d]

I think I have figured out why my 3240hstc is using so much fuel. The other day I went to check tire pressure and liquid came out. I ordered my tractor with NON filled r4 tires and I some how I ended up with filled tires.

I think the filled tires are a drag on the engine and require additional hp over non filled tires thus creating causing more fuel to be used. I'm going to drain the tires and record the differences.

Any body else think this could be my problem?

My 3430hstc did NOT have filled tires.

 

[jas67]

I think I have figured out why my 3240hstc is using so much fuel. The other day I went to check tire pressure and liquid came out. I ordered my tractor with NON filled r4 tires and I some how I ended up with filled tires.

I think the filled tires are a drag on the engine and require additional hp over non filled tires thus creating causing more fuel to be used. I'm going to drain the tires and record the differences.

Any body else think this could be my problem?

My 3430hstc did NOT have filled tires.

Filled tires would have a negligible affect on fuel usage. Keep 'em filled. It is a tractor, not a race car. Most tractors' pulling power is limited by traction (directly affected by weight over the drive wheels), not HP.

 

[lawn_king]

The l 40 series are not stingy when it comes to fuel consumption! I core aerated (1000 # unit) 4 acres and fertilized (sitrex pto unit) 7 acres this weekend, all flat athletic fields. I used around 1 gph with the ac on low.

 

[Happyman]

Don't drain the tires
You will regret the lack of traction just when you need it.

 

[jas67]

The l 40 series are not stingy when it comes to fuel consumption! I core aerated (1000 # unit) 4 acres and fertilized (sitrex pto unit) 7 acres this weekend, all flat athletic fields. I used around 1 gph with the ac on low.

You're using AC in Mass already?

 

[KennyV]

I was plowing snow and ice yesterday, and using A/C on low Lots of sunlight. Started with heat on ended with A/C.
And I agree with everyone saying leave the ballast liquid in your tires. Fluid filled will not change your fuel consumption. KennyV.

 

[lawn_king]

It was 64 here yesterday, with sunshine and all that glass, i did need the ac.

 

[Bob_Young]

Bushhogging jungle with the MX5000 and a Woods BB720, I consistently burn 1.25 gal./tach hour. Four hours on the tach = Five gallons of diesel, almost to the ounce.

If you're burning ULSD, you might want to add a few ounces of TCW-3 two-cycle outboard oil to every 5 gallons. My old Cummins Dodge pickup took a good 3mpg mileage hit when it started burning ULSD. Adding the two-cycle oil brought it back to where it was.

Like John Bud said, I can't understand how burning more fuel protects the environment. It seems the evironmental do-gooders can't be trusted any more than other politicians.
Bob

 

[ibnxe]

Some years ago, when the gas companies introduced "oxygenated" or "clean burning" automotive fuels, one of the magic ingredients added was alcohol. It was introduced in increments, and now most gasoline contains 10% or more alcohol. This was done slowly enough that folks didn't notice the reduction in mileage. By blending alcohol into the fuel, the refiner makes more profit.

This new ULSD may indeed have some of the same magic. Remember the same people are refining diesel as are refining the gasoline you buy. All fuels are sold by the gallon, not by its BTU output. If the fuel has fewer BTUs, you have to burn more to generate the same amount of work.

Just my two cents... I've raced go-karts on alcohol, and it takes two and a half times more of it to race the same distance as it would on gasoline.