What should I run my rpms at?

[MDM]

With my 2800 HST I generally at 2100 for loader work and 2500 for pto use. 2100 rpms gives me enough power for loader work so that when I start up a steeper hill, the rpms don't drop hardly at all.

 

[Marcussen]

I find that most of the time I am between 1800-2000 RPMs, my 540 PTO RPM mark is about 2400 engine RPM. The 540 PTO RPM mark is also where 1 hour seat time equal one hour clock time.

 

[CARNEYM]

I've been moving alot of dirt with my fel and box blade on my L3130dt. I use the foot throttle peddel because it seems to be the smoothest way. I am always using different gears for digging and moving.

 

[Bob_Young]

Foot throttle's the way to go on the gear tractors. For general loader work with the L4300, my RPM usually varies between idle and 1700 as controlled by the foot throttle. For mowing, it's 1900 to 2200 RPM with 540 PTO reached at 2460 engine RPM. Hydraulics are a little slow at idle, but fuel consumption stays low if engine isn't revved unnecessarily.

On the B7610, I usually push snow between 1700 and 2000 RPM with 1800 being a sweet spot. 1800 to 2200 RPM when mowing. 540 on that tractor comes at 2600 engine RPM.

I try to set RPM for smoothest operation. Often, watching how much the FEL control valve handle bounces can help find the the RPM where the vibrations tend to cancel each other.

Being somewhat error prone, I also shy away from running things full tilt. I figure shock to drivetrain, tractor structure, blades and whatever I hit will be less if engine output is well below max. For the most part I find no problem with running PTO driven implements in the 400 to 450 PTO RPM range.
Bob

 

[Taiser]

1500 on my b7800 does more than I need. Run it at about 2000 when using the BH but haven't done heavy work with it yet. Can't see myself ever running it at max RPM for loader work though...= overkill, at least on my sandy lot.

 

[Stef]

Can't see myself ever running it at max RPM for loader work though...= overkill, at least on my sandy lot.

Often the problem with loader work is not the power or speed of the loader but the ground speed of the tractor. I have 3 gears on my B3030. Let's forget the third one for loader work, it kills the tractor as soon as you hit the dirt pile (ok, it doesn't kill the engine but you know what I meant). So, you have the low and the mid gear. Low gear isn't practical because it's a Kubota, the tractor is very light and doesn't have the traction to push really hard even with a backhoe mounted (anyways, I'm not looking for traction I'm looking for ground speed). Then, here we are on the mid-gear. Usually, when I'm not in a hurry I run it between 1700 and 2100. When I have 60 tons of dirt to move, well I raise the RPM to 2600. The loader is strong enough at 1700 but the ground speed is too slow in mid-gear.

For the backhoe, I tend to run the tractor at 2600 for two reasons. First, there's a big power difference between 1800 and 2600. It's easier to break roots at 2600. By experience, I noted that the bucket cylinder and the swing cylinders are more powerful at a higher RPM. Second, the movement speed is better at high rpm. Then again, it's a question of comfort.

 

[simonmeridew]

I was plowing snow this afternoon after I read the first post, with my L4400 gear drive. Sometimes I'm using the hand throttle and sometimes the foot throttle. Anyway I suddenly looked down at the tachometer thinking this is just the right speed...RPM balence. Plenty of power, the engine didn't want to bog down when the bucket dug into a big pile of snow, so it seemed well balenced: 1300 RPMs was what it said. So reading what others have said, I guess the answer to the original question is that different engines have different torque curves. Some need to rev to deliver their power, others are built to lug down. For 25+ years I ran my Ford 8N tractor, I think red line was 1800RPM with that one, mostly around 1100RPM has plenty of torque and power, so I probably just got used to the sound of low teens with my tractors.
Things are different when you are operating an implement that needs to run at the 540 RPM speed to operate correctly. Mowers, snow blowers, etc, maybe a bailer or other harvesting equipment probably need the 540 PTO speed, so check your tach to get the corresponding engine speed, maybe 2600 RPM on the Kubota but it varies from engine to engine.
really rambled with this answer, sorry.
simonmeridew

 

[Toolguy]

When plowing snow this winter with my B3030 with FEL and RB, I found that 1600 rpms worked great. The hydraulics were fast enough and it had enough power to run in high range which gave me good travel speed. For dirt work with the loader, 2100rpm in either low or mid range works better since dirt is harder to move than snow. For mowing with the MMM 2500 is the sweet spot. I usually prefer the lowest rpm that will get the job done without lugging the engine. Less noise and vibrations makes for a more relaxing, fun experience when I am "working" with my tractor. Just try different settings until you find what you like. With more seat time you will "get it". Good luck.

 

[workinallthetime]

its a diesel run it WOT and learn to use it that way. mine is almost always at wot unless im into a safty area where i dont want to make any sudden moves. i will mow with my zd326 at wot, i use the fel on my bx at wot and bh at wot. I have never noticed lower rpm causing a decrese in hydrulaic power, but high rpm apear to have the max power. I also would asume that wot would keep the engine deposites from building up. i want max pressure all the time ground speed is controlled by hst for me.
max pressure and max blade tip speed if you cant handle it learn to or get something you can handle

 

[Toolguy]

Sorry workinallthetime, I have to respectfully disagree. Just because it is a diesel does not mean it has to be run at WOT all the time. That is a myth. The truth is that modern diesels ( ie: anything less than 50 years old) can be run at whatever speed is necessary to get the job done. Now, my dad's 1952 Caterpillar D4 dozer is designed to run at WOT, but WOT on that machine is 1300 rpms. Running at WOT will certainly not harm the engine and is the fastest way to get something done. However, getting the job done fast is not always the best way. Adjusting the engine rpms to the conditions is usually the most efficient. It just doesn't make sense to run the engine at WOT when doing a job that does not require maximum power. For mowing I agree that WOT is best even though it doesn't require a lot of power. It does require speed though, to get the needed tip speed on the blades. Bottom line is that today's diesels are variable speed engines and can be used that way with no ill effects.