Redline on a 3406 Cat?

[unioncreek]

A neighbor has a 1985 Kenworth cabover with a 310 hp 3406 Cat in it. It says 3406 Economy on the engine. I was wondering was the redline on rpm's is. His brother has been driving it during harvest and I fill in occationally. The brother says redline is 1900, but the truck my son drives has the 3406 E in it and redline is 2400. Does anyone know what the actual redline is or where I could find it? I've looked on internet, but haven't found anything yet.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[thatguy]

Follow this link.. The max HP is around 1900 on what is listed, but they dont list a 310 3406..

Caterpillar On-Highway 3406 Truck Engines

Brian

 

[herringchoker]

I had a 1984 Freightliner FLC-120 with a Cat 3406B Economy 350HP. There was no way that engine would turn more than 1900 RPM, but it didn't have to. I ran that truck for 10 years....it was strong and reliable, would it ever lug!

 

[Groo]

there is peak HP, shift point(s), and engine cut-off point. I've heard them all refered to as "red line"
what are you looking for?
If you are talking about shift point, I think everyone recomends progressive shifting, and different loads make a differnce too. so it isn't 1 specific RPM

 

[unioncreek]

I was just wondering what the redline would be on it. I'll be driving it for three weeks during harvest this year. It's a cabover with sleeper and a 26 foot box with an air tag, plus a 26 foot trailer. It's licensed for 98K. It has a 9 speed in it, but would be better with a 13. We have quite a few hills here in southeastern WA plust a 7% grade for 6 miles when we deliver to the grain terminals on the river. It handles the grade real good if you keep it in 9th and the tach at 1700.

Thanks for the info though.

Bob

 

[CATMAN]

If it says 310 HP economy. I assume it is rated at 310 HP @ 1800 RPM with a top RPM (freewheeling) of around 2020 RPM. You can easily lug it down to 1200 rpm under a hard pull, if fact, some of the 310 HP could go down to 1100 RPM. (Note: Most drivers never pull the engine that low anyways.) IF the engine has Jake Brakes, never let the load "push" the engine above 2300 RPM. At about 2500-2600 RPM the pistons HIT the exhaust valves!!! VERY BAD. Something to remember, this engine my have been turned up, and even if it hasn't, IF it still has old nozzles in it, I estimate its power at 350-370 HP. OLD nozzles "grow" and allow for more fuel to go thru on each injection stroke, that's why old engines gain power over time.

 

[LarryRB]

I've had a 1693 TA, one A 3406 and a few B's. The B's were early ones and memory tells me most all of them were 1800 - 1900.

 

[unioncreek]

IF the engine has Jake Brakes, never let the load "push" the engine above 2300 RPM.

I never run the Jake above 1700, it took a couple days of driving it to figure that's where they work the best. I shift down going up hill when it hits 1400 until I get to 6th then it will hold it's own even going up a 7% grade.

Bob

 

[Renze]

I've once driven a Fendt 612 E tractor which was the only 40 km transmission in a fleet of 50 km tractors. During corn harvest it would mess up the harvesting chain of trailers to fill under the harvester, because of slight differences in travel time, causing the harvester to wait on the slow tractor, and then the faster tractors to wait till the slow one gets loaded.

Anyways, it was given some extra RPM and at 2700 rpm a ticking noise arose from the engine. I assume it were floating valves due to valve springs not being designed for high rpm, and the corresponding inertia on the valves.