Throttle position on the gas PTs

[BillCroasmun]

Out of curiosity I was wondering how most people adjust their throttle while working.

When moving things like big rocks and dirt do you constantly change the throttle between 'loaded' and unloaded times, do you give it just enough for the job and leave it there or do you run full throttle most of the time?

What about with a more steady job like mowing? Do you use more throttle and less pedal to get the desired speed or less throttle and more pedal?

My uncle came over last night to try out my new 180 and I noticed his "style" of using it was very different than mine... By the way he was very impressed (as if there was any doubt /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ).

Bill

 

[tracdoc]

Hi Bill,

On jobs like finish mowing, raking, spreading fertilizer, etc., I keep the throttle at full, and adjust my travel speed with the treadles. Scott had told me that full throttle was the best way to get the cleanest cut with the finish mower as that keeps the blade "tip speed" at its highest f.p.m.

On other jobs, I feel more comfortable adjusting the throttle to my needs, keeping it to where I can do the job and not bog the engine down with over-taxed hydraulics.

I have a new brush hog which at least in the beginning I think I'll use this way, rather than top speed like the finish mower. I haven't done any brush hogging prior, and I want my learning curve to be free of pucker. I'm sure MR could give the best recommendation on brush hog speed.

cb

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I'm sure MossRoad will chime in with specific experience with the PT brush cutter, but from my use of other similar machines and my 6' rough cut, I recommend that you keep it turning as fast as you can. The blades are fairly heavy and a lot of cutting is done by their inertia, without bogging the engine. Once the tip speed goes down, cutting ability falls off fast. In heavy going, you'll hear it start to slow, signaling that you should slow the machine a bit to let it catch up.

 

[Piedmont3]

When mowing, with either the 4' Brush Cutter or 5' finish mower, I set the throttle at about 2/3 full and then adjust tractor movement with the treadle, through tall or heavy stuff I go slower, and through short or light stuff I fly. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif This seems to give me the best continuous mowing movement.
If I'm hauling dirt in one of the buckets or something on a Pallet with the forks, I have the throttle at 1/2 or just under 1/2, this allows me all the power I need. I usually don't carry but about 400 or 500 lbs of dirt.
If I am digging with the mini-hoe or the Post Hole Digger, I have the throttle at about 85% or 90%, this lets the digging implement go as fast as I want it to go without bogging down anything (not that fast, I'm still learning) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif without any problems.

 

[MossRoad]

Full throttle, maaan! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Tim "The Toolman" Taylor would be proud. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

When mowing I want maximum blade speed for the cleanest cut and less chance of bogging down when hitting the ocassional heavier than normal grass.

Brush hogging is done full throttle, too.

Excavating work and moving large amounts of material is done at full throttle because I want that available power to push into the piles and high speed travel across the lawn. I want to get it done as fast as possible.

Snow plowing is done at, hmmmm, what was that? Oh, yeah... full throttle. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The only time I am not at full throttle is when the PT is in wheel barrow mode hauling light stuff back to the compost piles and such. Sometimes when I am patrolling the grounds, I'll run at less than full throttle, too, just so I can hear myself think. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[pajoube]

I am one of those that use the throttle position based on what I am doing. Mowing, trencher, tiller, are at full throttle. The forks, buckets, etc. all are normally at 1/2 throttle.
You will get a feel for how the setting is used for each attachment and operation. On the other hand, full throttle for all operations can never hurt /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
PJ

 

[BillCroasmun]

Sounds like I am full speed ahead for high throttling most of what I do (mowing, tilling) I was between 2/3 and 3/4 throttle most of the time, then going to full when coming up to taller/thicker grass, etc. I also would drop it to about 1/4 when traveling between work areas mainly due to the noise.

Maybe I just need to buy some ear protection. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Gravy]

Definitely buy and use GOOD ear protection. The PT muffler isn't the best part of the machine.

JackRobin (the Robin service guy) has stated on this forum, and over the phone to me, that the Robin engine should always be run at full throttle. I believe that this may be because the air-cooling system is more efficient at high speeds.

However, I am personally comfortable running mine at lower speeds for low-load uses, such as tramming across rough ground. I definitely recommend mowing at full throttle. A high blade tip speed is essential for a good cut, and the main PTO pump puts a pretty heavy load on the engine.

Have fun with your PT. Mine has become my hobby!

Dave

 

[Carpenter]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am one of those that use the throttle position based on what I am doing. Mowing, trencher, tiller, are at full throttle. The forks, buckets, etc. all are normally at 1/2 throttle.
You will get a feel for how the setting is used for each attachment and operation. On the other hand, full throttle for all operations can never hurt /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
PJ )</font>

I don't know about that. I've managed to hurt myself at full throttle on several occasions. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( the Robin engine should always be run at full throttle. I believe that this may be because the air-cooling system is more efficient at high speeds. Dave )</font>


<font color="red"> DITTO!! My Kohler Service Center told me that the Kohler engine is designed to run at FULL throttle!! That provides the best cooling, particularly with an enclosed engine compartment like on the Power Trac!!

Any other throttle position may be used when the ignition switch is in the 'OFF' position!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Also on uneven terrain full throttle provides better control and braking!


PS: To tell if the cooling fan is running, just tilt your head back to feel the warm breeze on the back of your head.</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif