Sustained RPM's

[Laminarman]

Sustained RPM\'s

I have a dumb question. Is running my tractor at high RPM's for long periods going to shorten it's life? I have a NH TC40DA with 100 hours on it. I just did some plowing and ran it at high RPM's (around 2500 give or take, I forget) for several hours the other day. I only slowed it once or twice very briefly. I'm still in "car" mode where I know this equates to more rapid engine wear. I am assuming I broke it in properly, and it is serviced by the dealer as recommended. I just don't know how these machines seem to last for decades with that kind of abuse. Thanks.

 

[Bird]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

Not a dumb question at all, but the diesel engines in tractors are designed and built to run like that all day, day after day. In other words, you're just using it for what it was made for.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

There are diesels all over the world that are never shut down, oil and the like changed while running. That's what the beauty of the diesel is, or at least one of them.
Slow idling at the same rate is more harmful than running it all out while you're working.
John

 

[Laminarman]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

Cool. So I don't have to worry. If anything most times I try to let her "cool down" a bit and let her rest. This is my first diesel vehicle of any sort and I'm amazed at how much abuse I can give it. Thanks a lot.

 

[Bird]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

I like to let one idle and cool down a bit before shutting it down, but that's the only time.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If anything most times I try to let her "cool down" a bit and let her rest. )</font>
Just a couple of things extra.
Make sure you keep your radiator well cleaned out. If you have a prescreen as mine has, clean it every time before you start.
A good easy way is to use LOW psi compressed air and be careful not to let the blower tip hit the fins. High air pressure can bend them, so keep it LOW. Blow from the rear out to the front through the fan blades which will make the stuff go out the way it came in.
It's always a good idea to let the tractor idle for a little while before you shut it down after a good workout. Like you said, you let it cool off a little.

 

[thcri]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

As the others have said, not a dumb question and your on the right track. Keep the RPM's up there will working her. When not working you can slow them down a bit and always before shutting down give her ten minutes at idle to cool down. Other than that never let her idle. When warming up keep her at a fast idle.

murph

 

[frank_f15]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

AS OTHERS have said you won't hurt it a bit. as amatter of fact more harm can be done by not keeping up RPMS when working it. i usually idel it down a bit before shutting it off and i also like to set the throttle to where i like the RPMS on start up, BEFORE I SHUT IT DOWN.

 

[Laminarman]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

You guys have been very helpful. I never knew to warm her up or set a fast idle. I've been doing just the opposite. Let it idle real low when warming up, but shutting it off immediately when done (or at least after my five minute lope back to the barn). I'll change what I do now. I don't want to buy another tractor so would rather take care of it and make it last. Those steps are sure cheap enough to do. Thanks again!

 

[KiotiJohn]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You guys have been very helpful. I never knew to warm her up or set a fast idle. I've been doing just the opposite. Let it idle real low when warming up, but shutting it off immediately when done (or at least after my five minute lope back to the barn). )</font>
I think rule of thumb is to warm up for at least 5 minutes in weather that isn't cold, 10 minutes for cool weather, and 15 minutes in COLD weather. Always remember not to operate your hydraulics until the fluid is warmed also because the thicker viscosity when cold can damage hydro pumps. If you don't have a turbo charger on your tractor 5 minutes cool down at low idle should be sufficient. At least 10 minutes with the turbo.
John
EDIT: I meant to also say that warm up should be at about 1/3 to 1/2 of rated speed, not low idle. J

 

[thcri]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

If the tractor is fairly cold when starting I will let at a idle for a few minutes to get the oil going. Then move up to a faster idle.

murph

 

[RalphVa]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

I've a Benz diesel that's 22 years old this year. We regularly rev it to the limit in 1st and 2nd gears: approx. 4,400 rpm. It's designed to run at maximum rpm all day long. Many do on the German Autobahns or similar roads in Italy and other countries. I know. I've been passed by them, me at about 80 them at about 95.

My 4010 maximum rpm is about 3,000 rpm. Think the 540 rpm PTO is at 2,900 rpm. I have NO problems with running at this speed all the time as long as those screens don't get plugged with debris. On my 4010, there're the outside screen plus another in front of the radiator that need to be cleaned periodically.

Small engined Volvos and Benzes typically go 300,000 miles or so between overhauls. Volvos typically won't even start using oil until around 300,000 or more miles. Some have been overhauled and have seen over 1 million miles. It's not the engine speed (higher in 4 cylinders on cars). It's lack of maintenance that kills them, or driving at too low an engine speed for the load. You can kill an engine quicker by lugging it than by revving it.

If you start your tractor in a garage that never gets below around 50-55 F, you really don't need to idle it that much when cold before proceeding with heavy work. Even if stone cold, I'd only follow the manual's recommendation of about 5 minutes.

Ralph

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

Let it run. Once it is properly brok in, those long hour runs will be a part of it's regimine.

Take mowing for examply. I set pto rpm on my hand throttle, and then don't slow down till the pasture is mowed.. etc. RPM + power at a given speed. So if you are doing a constant 'power' job like plowing, tilling, mowing, generating power or pumping water, etc.. then that is what you need. If you were using a loader, I'd guess you could set a lower rpm, and then use foot throttle / treadle peadle for speed/power changes.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[normde2001]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

If this is all true, then one would have to wonder why mechanical hour meters that register 1 hour at 2400 rpm, for instance, only record 1/2 hour at 1200 rpm in the same hour of running, indicating that the engine will last twice as long at 1200 than at 2400. Could it be that they may be on to something?

 

[hobbyfarm]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

Like Bird said: </font><font color="blue" class="small">( I like to let one idle and cool down a bit before shutting it down, but that's the only time. )</font>

This is especially true if you've got a turbo! Idling gives the turbo a chance to slow down from the six-digit rpm's at high idle to a more reasonable speed before it quits getting oil pressure at shut down. Your turbo will thank you by giving you a long service life! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DaveInColorado]

Re: Sustained RPM\'s

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've a Benz diesel that's 22 years old this year. We regularly rev it to the limit in 1st and 2nd gears: approx. 4,400 rpm. It's designed to run at maximum rpm all day long.

Small engined Volvos and Benzes typically go 300,000 miles or so between overhauls. Volvos typically won't even start using oil until around 300,000 or more miles. Some have been overhauled and have seen over 1 million miles.
Ralph )</font>

I bought a 1980 Mercedes with 160k miles on it a few years ago. Drove it 6k miles for less than a year before I realized the engine was toast - rings and valves shot. Every brand has its lemons.