turbo or not

[4tillingdirt]

Looking for input on a NA vs turbo tractor. For example, I have been looking at TYM T454 and T554. I know there is a 9 HP difference between the 2, but would you take the simplicity of the 454 with no turbo over the more powerful 554?

 

[ericm979]

Depends on your needs. Do you need those 9hp for something? Unlike motor vehicles, adding HP to a tractor doesn't make it more fun. If for example your uses are primarily loader and box blade an extra 9hp won't do much as those operations are mostly limited by traction. OTOH if you want to run a large mower or some other PTO implement that needs power those 9hp may be important.

I love turbo cars but for tractors I prefer NA. The advantage to a turbo car is more power without a lot of additional weight. On tractors weight is good, not bad. So I'd rather get the power from a larger NA engine than a smaller one with a turbo. Turbo engines allow for much more tuning for power than NA. But while I've done that with cars I plan to keep my tractor stock or nearly so. There's not a lot of off the shelf stuff for tuning tractors such as ECU programmers so you're on your own there.

That said if the model that otherwise met my needs had a turbo, I'd probably be ok with it.

 

[4tillingdirt]

It is same size tractor just more HP. The turbo engine is 6 cu in smaller than the NA. I know turbos have been used on everything for years, but just thinking with all the emissions crap and a turbo on tops seems like simpler is better. On the other hand the turbo may be tuned like a lot of the newer cars - tons of torque down lower than NA can provide. Everything is too complicated - LOL.

 

[sandman2234]

More cubic inches typically gives more torque on the bottom end...not something a turbo tends to do.
David from jax

 

[jeff9366]

I asked this before: What is your altitude in PINNACLES, North Carolina?

Altitude should be a key determinant in your decision.

 

[bigtiller]

Someone once said: There's no replacement for displacement.

I wonder if he was a turbo hater? :shocked:

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I would only go turbo if I was at high altitude. I'm not. So I didn't.

 

[wagne223]

I would only go turbo if I was at high altitude. I'm not. So I didn't.

+1 on this.
The main advantage of a turbo on a tractor would be high elevation operation.
A 40 hp tractor with a turbo will make 40 hp at sea level and 40 hp at 5000 feet.
Without a turbo it would only make around 30 hp.

 

[jenkinsph]

I asked this before: What is your altitude in PINNACLES, North Carolina?

Altitude should be a key determinant in your decision.

The elevation is about 1,000 ft. but can vary quite a bit nearby. Don't see the need for a turbo based on elevation.

 

[Goose69]

I think of all the factors involved in deciding to purchase a tractor;
" to turbo, or not to turbo," would be pretty far down on my list.

I don't feel it adds much complexity, but I'm sure it adds cost.
if you don't need the extra horsepower, just get the tractor without it.

 

[sandman2234]

I would think that a 40 hp tractor without a turbo would be better than a 40 hp tractor with a turbo...just thinking...
David from jax

 

[jenkinsph]

I would think that a 40 hp tractor without a turbo would be better than a 40 hp tractor with a turbo...just thinking...
David from jax

In Florida at sea level your thinking works well, in the Rocky Mountains not so much.

 

[MF283]

I've owned 3 tractors prior to my turbo'd 5303 I have now. I can see the difference when it is under load with a bush hog or plow, no stalling. Even with the 80 HP I had before this one, I could slow it down with the bush hog, the turbo kicks in on this one & keeps on trucking.
I guess i'll complain should I ever have to replace it though.

Ronnie

 

[Texasmark]

Someone once said: There's no replacement for displacement.

I wonder if he was a turbo hater? :shocked:

If in doubt, go to the dragsters www and they will give you plenty of proof that cubes matter. On turbos for me, having had an 800 cu in Cummins 400 hp Big Cam turbo with a power band of 300 rpm in an operating range of 0-1800 rpms (took a 15 speed tranny to get useful work out of it).......just something else to fail, take up space under the hood, and be offered in liew of what a tractor really needs.....cubes for lugging...........course I'm under 1000' of elevation too.

 

[CobyRupert]

Depends on what you value and/or what type of owner

(IMHO), if you plan on owning for the long term, turbo's are the weak link in an otherwise long life diesel motor. However, they can be replaced, for a price.

Like Sandman refers to: I'd take a 40 hp non-turbo to a 40 Hp turbo engine. .....they'd of course be totally different engines, c.i.'s, weight, torque curves, etc...

 

[4tillingdirt]

I asked this before: What is your altitude in PINNACLES, North Carolina?

Altitude should be a key determinant in your decision.

About a 1000 feet

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I have a turboed tractor, I don't notice it, it doesn't whine or make noise like one you would have on a truck, all it does is spin and gives me a few extra HP's.

One thing I did learn is if the exhaust faces forward like mine and you tow it, the turbo can spin backwards from the updraft during towing, so it's best to cover the exhaust during transport, I was told.

I really have no opinion either way on turbo aspiration and natural aspiration Tractors.

I guess my question would be how long do they last?

Off that answer you can decide. For example if one lasts 5000 hours a homeowner isn't likely to rack up that many hours on a tractor so it won't affect them either way.

 

[4tillingdirt]

That is crazy - you would think dumb engineers would turn the end of the exhaust down a bit to keep that from happening. Just one more thing to think about.

 

[jeff9366]

I expect exhaust gasses are pretty hot and that is why the exhaust faces away from the operator. The turbo is BLOWING.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

That is crazy - you would think dumb engineers would turn the end of the exhaust down a bit to keep that from happening. Just one more thing to think about.

There's a thread on here that CAD started when he got a turboed tractor, that was one of the suggestions is to cover the exhaust when in tow, another was let the tractor idle for a few mins before shutting down to let the turbo cool off a little, I always do that anyway so no worries there.