TC33D Loss of Power

Steve_in_Kansas · Sep 7, 2004

Hello, to all TBNers. New to the board but have been lurking around for awhile learning as much as possible. I currently have a ZTR with a 60" deck to mow my 10 acres. It takes between 5 to 6 hours. Plus an old JD 300 lawnmower to mow the road ditch. Looking for something to mow a little faster plus I have several projects that need completed since we built the house. I need a tractor!! I am looking at buying a used TC33D with a 72"MMM. It has 250 hours on the meter. Asked the dealer (Case/IH same as blue but red) if I could demo it. He said sure, and brought it out the same day (Friday before Labor Day, said keep it the weekend) /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Mowed with it yesterday. Finished in 3.5 to 4 hours. Definite plus!! Rained 1.5" Sunday night. Some streaking (rear discharge) but I believe that is due to wet grass, deck needs some adjustment, too fast. I think I can fix that. However, (sorry for the long post) while I was mowing I experienced what I would describe as a loss of power. First hour was fine. Second hour I would be mowing along and the RPM's would drop from around 2700 to around 2100. Let off the hydro pedal (stopping) and the RPM's would come back up. Step on the pedal and the RPM's would drop again. Wait about 5-10 seconds then I would be fine. It happened twice in the second hour and around 5-10 times the third hour. I haven't talked with the dealer yet but I will shortly. I thought I would ask the experts /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and see what their opinions are. My wife said to run from the deal but I sure enjoyed the seat time!! Thanks in advance.

Steve

PineRidge · Sep 7, 2004

I'm wondering if the fuel filter has been changed at the recommended intervals? I let my last diesel tractor go way too long before I changed my first fuel filter and it acted like you described until I replaced it.

thcri · Sep 7, 2004

Pine I would agree with you. Fuel filter is cheap. I know my TC29D will do that if the filter gets gunky. I replace the fuel filter twice a year whether it needs it or not.

murph

jinman · Sep 7, 2004

Sounds like the fuel filter or a small amount of water in the fuel to me. Since our Boomers are gravity fed, you could have a clogged fuel line, but you can check that out by opening the petcock on the fuel filter after the bowl and filter are removed. If fuel comes out in a steady stream, no problem. If fuel dribbles, you could have clogging before the filter. Most likely changing the filter will take care of your problems.

If the fuel cap is leaky or the tractor has sat for a long time, you could have a little condensation in the fuel. When you remove the filter bowl, you should be able to see a little water in the bottom if that is the problem.

Good luck. It sounds like you really enjoyed the ability to get your mowing chores done quickly. I hope this works out for you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

rambler · Sep 7, 2004

Typically a problem with fuel delivery on a diesel. 90% of the time a plugged filter, 10% of the time more serious.

--->Paul

Steve_in_Kansas · Sep 7, 2004

Thanks guys for the feedback. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I spoke with the dealer and he had the same thoughts. Makes me feel a lot better. This would be my first diesel. Now the fun part of haggling on price begins. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Thanks.

Steve

opinyun · Aug 13, 2005

This may sound strange but loosen the fuel cap once in a while. The caps don't always vent properly and can cause a partial vacuum in the tank starving the engine for fuel.
When if you loosen the cap if it hisses you'll know the vent is part of your problem.
This happens to me all the time., I have even replaced the cap and it still does it!

boomer4snow · Aug 15, 2005

this could be a long shot also, but something to think about. If you have a diesel performance shop near you, or any larger diesel repair center (cummins, IH etc) you might check the cetane level of the diesel you buy. On my truck it would surge at highway speeds. replaced fuel filters, checked pumps, boost tubes etc..turns out the diesel I was buying had a cetane of 42 which is a step above heating oil. They recommended a new filling station that had "Premier" diesel which had a cetane of 50 and I use stanadyne power blend. This puts me at about 53 cetane. I got rid of all my surging, picked up some power, and almost 1.5 mpg. motor runs smoother also. It may not be your problem, but it is one more thing to consider since diesels are new to you.

SteveInMD · Aug 18, 2005

It's probably a filter issue...however, it could be how you are driving the hydro. transmission. You may already know all this but, the harder you press on the pedal the *less* torque you have. Pushing on the pedal is similar to shifting into a higher gear - you can go faster but you are losing torque as you do. If the tractor starts to bog down you should ease up on the pedal to increase torque. Just remember, it's not a "gas pedal".