Proper RPM/Gear for implement use

   / Proper RPM/Gear for implement use #1  

PondCreekFarm

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
35
Location
SW Missouri
Tractor
Kubota L3130
I have started to plow our fields for future planting of native prarie plants and row crops for wildlife. I have a L3130 with a loader and am pulling an old ford two bottom trip beam plow. I amazed at what this little tractor can do, and it is great fun, but I want to make sure I am doing this correctly so as not to damage the tractor. I have noticed that if I plow in low range 3rd gear that the engine bogs down unless I really keep it throttled up. If I stay in 1 or 2, however, it does not bog down at all, but it is so terribly slow in these gears. How should I do this? What gear, what RPM range should I strive to keep the machine within? Does it hurt the engine to slow down? (It sure seems to smoke more when it does this, and that does not seem to me to be a good thing).
 
   / Proper RPM/Gear for implement use #2  
I like to stay around 1800 RPM and find a gear that lets me blade using draft.
Experiment to get the speed and depth of plow you desire. Be patient, you want to accomplish the work with as little wear and tear as possible on your equipment.
 
   / Proper RPM/Gear for implement use #3  
Pondcreekfarm,

You should have the engine running at PTO speed when plowing. That is where it is designed to develop the most torque and it will be happiest at that speed when worked hard. Find a gear that allows you to do that and plow away. Unless your ground is hard clay, I see no reason why your L3130 will not pull that 2 bottom plow easily. Good luck.
 
   / Proper RPM/Gear for implement use #4  
Those old Ford plows sold originally for the 9N, 2N, 8N tractors were designed for 3.5-4.0 miles per hour. Stated another way; plowing gear for those tractors was second gear at 1500-1750 rpm which was 3.5-4.0 mph minus a little wheel slippage. Of course, back in the day, many of us just pulled the throttle open and let her go - that gave about 4.6 mph. The plow will actually do a better job of breaking up the dirt at that speed than going slower; more crumbling. Of course be safe, take your time, get everything adjusted correctly, and get used to the necessary operator functions. Then worry about proper speed. But don't pick a higher gear that lugs the engine. As someone said, engine rpm for 540 pto is good. If you can't maintain that rpm, on average, pick a lower gear. Another test is if, while plowing at pto rpm, you open the throttle further and the engine gains rpm without too much strain, you are probably OK. That assumes rpm for 540 is a somewhat less than full rated rpm.
 
   / Proper RPM/Gear for implement use #5  
PondCreekFarm
These questions may seem as an insult to you, but I was wondering
What kind of shape is the plow?
Is the moldboard scoured (shiny)
Are the plow shears sharp (important)
What depth are you going six to eight inches should be plenty deep
Does your tractor have Draft control and are you using it
Does your tractor have fluid in the rear tires (makes a big difference)

Your tractor has more that enough HP to handle a 2 bottom plow
Speed is important trying to go to fast will lug the engine
Watch the engine temp and oil pressure
Are you using 4 wheel drive
The plow should be leveled horizintally and vertically while in the ground
RPM's should be high enough for the hydroulics to work properly and from
what someone said 1800 should do

Let us know how everything goes

Stanley
 
   / Proper RPM/Gear for implement use
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Stanley: I am impossible to insult when it comes to this sort of thing. I have little experience with tractors and implements and can use all the help anyone has to offer. As for your questions, the plow is in good shape. The points are relatively sharp, but will have to be touched up a bot after this round. When I got the plow, it was rusted up a bit, but a few passes through my hilltop filed fixed that (lots of rock to scour the rust). I am plowing bottom land right now, however, and face only roots and tighly compacted soil. The tractor has fluid-filled rear tires, and I stay in FWD as I have found I have much better pulling power that way. I am going slower than I likely can but have made a decision that I would rather take it slow and make sure I do not injure myself or my equipment. I figure after I get up all the stuff and become familiar with trouble areas, I can speed up next time. I finished this morning and got about ten acres turned over. Now comes the disk. I took the advice of the other posters and kept the RMP at around 1800 to 2000 and stayed in low 3, It seemed to work the best and did not drag down the motor so long as I did not put the plow too deep.

Thanks to all for your advice, I really appreciate it.
 
   / Proper RPM/Gear for implement use #7  
Pondcreekfarm

How goes the plowing? You said something in your last post that caught
my attention. I am plowing bottom land right now, however, and face only roots and tighly compacted soil. And I assume you are using the Draft contol.

Many years ago I was travelling through your part of the country and all
I remember was resturant I stopped to eat I do not remember where and I
do not remember the name of it, but I still remember the smoked beef barbecue.

And remember "the hardest thing in the world to do is something you do
not know how to do"

Stanley
 
   / Proper RPM/Gear for implement use #8  
you are probably spot on with the gear/RPM choice. if its not under hard load all the time its about right. the method i use on my machine (big sucker but the theory is still the same) for any job is to check the following
1/.make shure the impliment is set up correctly and in good condition
2/.give it some rev's, if it pto driven then spin it to the manufacturers spec, if it a plow around 3/4 speed.
3/. start a run slowly, stepping up gears as you go,
sooner or later as you increase speed one or more of the following will happen
1/. you will be bounced out of the seat.
2/. the engine will load right up.
3/. the implement will do a poor job.
4/. the implement will chock up (balers etc)
once this happens go back a gear and be happy with that. just keep an eye on the temp guage and monitor the conditions, because some things require more power or lower speed, hills and heavy going etc. adjust your speed to suit.
 

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