My new kubota is a dieselholic!!

Knobby1 · Mar 30, 2009

Somehow this makes sense (to someone); getting environmentally friendly involves burning 30 to 40% more fuel? Great guys, keep up the good work. As usual we can count on govt agencies for this type of brilliance, BS......

mark2610d · Mar 30, 2009

I really do think my filled tires are costing me hp.

When I mow I have to slow down to a crawl on any kind of a grade at all. I bet I'm hauling around 1000 or more lbs just in water. Then you have the tire friction caused by the inside liquid turning and thus the faster you go the more inside friction. Friction = hp loss to the tires as well as the dead weight. When I had my 3430cab it was basically the same tractor I have now (for the most part) and it did spin more (tires empty) but I was able to do everything I do now, with that said my new 3240 witht the filled tires seems like it has a anchor tied to it when mowing on any kind of grade. I thought well maybe the 3 pto hp difference is it, but I can turn the air off (probably 2-3 hp drain and still not much difference) in mowing speed.

When I was into drag racing for every pound of sprung rotating weight removed it was equal to 14 lbs static weight. I have proved this to be true at the drag strip. I know what yaw"ll are thinking hey this is a tractor not a drag car and yes your right but the same rules would have to apply just on a smaller scale.

jas67 · Mar 30, 2009

mark2610d said:
I really do think my filled tires are costing me hp...

.....When I was into drag racing for every pound of sprung rotating weight removed it was equal to 14 lbs static weight. I have proved this to be true at the drag strip. I know what yaw"ll are thinking hey this is a tractor not a drag car and yes your right but the same rules would have to apply just on a smaller scale.

The rotating weight makes a huge difference in acceleration of a vehicle (drag racing is all about acceleration), because you have to accelerate the rotating mass forward, AND rotationally. Your tractor moves at a steady speed when mowing, plowing,tilling, whatever. The weight of the wheels shouldn't have much effect on your forward progress, unless on really soft ground. Now, if your hill is really steep -- yes, it takes energy to move a mass up the hill, but no more work per pound for the rotating mass, as any other mass on your tractor.

As others have stated here; you'll miss the traction if you drain them.

KennyV · Mar 30, 2009

mark2610d said:
but the same rules would have to apply just on a smaller scale.

Different rules ... different scale...

"As others have stated here; you'll miss the traction if you drain them." I agree...

mark2610d · Mar 30, 2009

[ yes, it takes energy to move a mass up the hill, but no more work per pound for the rotating mass, as any other mass on your tractor.

As others have stated here; you'll miss the traction if you drain them.[/QUOTE]

SEE REPLY #4 OF LINK BELOW.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ghts-filled-tires.html?highlight=filled+tires

This makes me think my hp fuel consumption problem is likely due to filled tires.

guyrj33 · Mar 30, 2009

It makes sense to me that filled tires would hurt fuel economy.

The Dougster · Mar 30, 2009

Recently I'd noticed my L2800 seemed to be using more fuel... I've been working her kinda hard and assumed that was the problem..... and then... I noticed a slow drip, drip, drip at the fuel bowl.... being the smart feller that I am, I decided this was the problem... when I tried to tighten the bowl, the leak increased... when I loosened it slightly, the dripping stopped.... Puzzling ain't it? To date I haven't had (taken) the time to investigate... I assume there's an O-ring (or something similar) that is the problem.. Mebbe this weekend.... <sigh>

mark2610d · Apr 4, 2009

Well my dieselholic problem is solved!!!! My power is back and I could not be happier.

I took a chance and decided to drain the fluid out of all four tires and the difference is like getting rid of a heavy boat anchor. My 3240 feels like my 3430 did (plenty of power for hills and now I can mow at 6.5-7 mph instead of 4-4.5 mph. I have used my 724 loader and have yet to break the tires lose with my 700lb mower on thre back as a counter weight.

Thanks all for your help and I will post the fuel consumption difference in a few days. I can already see that it seems to be much improved like maybe around 1-1.1 gal hour while mowing.

davitk · Apr 5, 2009

mark2610d said:
Well my dieselholic problem is solved!!!! My power is back and I could not be happier.

I took a chance and decided to drain the fluid out of all four tires and the difference is like getting rid of a heavy boat anchor. My 3240 feels like my 3430 did (plenty of power for hills and now I can mow at 6.5-7 mph instead of 4-4.5 mph. I have used my 724 loader and have yet to break the tires lose with my 700lb mower on thre back as a counter weight.

Thanks all for your help and I will post the fuel consumption difference in a few days. I can already see that it seems to be much improved like maybe around 1-1.1 gal hour while mowing.

Your front tires were filled?

rScotty · Apr 5, 2009

mark2610d said:
Well my dieselholic problem is solved!!!! My power is back and I could not be happier.

I took a chance and decided to drain the fluid out of all four tires and the difference is like getting rid of a heavy boat anchor.

Well, I'm glad. But that doesn't surprise me. Now your tractor will ride a lot better, and be easier to handle when roading or turning besides. This has been a good discussion. I've seen that there is a lot of support for liquid filled tires; but that just an opinion....There are plenty of old tractor guys like me that don't think liquid is the way to go.
rScotty - from an old JD 2 cylinder to the new M59.