When am I pushing my little tractor too hard?

sewells · Jul 10, 2003

I'm a newbie to tractors so I may be asking a question here that is a little silly. How can I know when I am pushing my little tractor too hard? I just got my JD790. I've got a nice level couple of acres that aren't fenced yet that would be nice to convert into extra pasture so I can keep a cow and a calf.

I'm planning on using my Tufline 5' box blade to rip up what's there already to get it ready for planting some 5 Star fescue. So, I let the ripper teeth (is that what they're called?) down to the first knotch on them. I sortened my toplink so that pretty much only the ripper teeth contact the ground.

Seems to work pretty well but at times the teeth will dig in a little deep and there is an obvious strain on the tractor. It doesn't completely bog down but it comes kinda close. I'm running at the RATED point on the tach, it's in FWD and I'm in low range first gear.

Am I going to hurt the tractor by putting that much strain on the gear train? I know the gear train is built tough but I don't want to damage the thing out of ignorance.

Thanks for any advice.

Steve Wells

RoyJackson · Jul 10, 2003

You'll run out of traction before you run out of power...trust me!

Nice thing about the 790...it's underpowered for the beefiness of the chassis/drive train. Tough little machine!

sewells · Jul 10, 2003

So basically, the wheels will spin and the tractor won't go anywhere and the drive train will take that with no problem.

Okay, it's good to hear that.

Thanks,

gator · Jul 10, 2003

Bogging shouldn't hurt it, but if you get wheel hop you might. Try lengthing your top link some (less agressive) and make multiple less agressive passes. It will be easier on your tractor and your mind.

knucklehead · Jul 10, 2003

Didn't someone mention something about when the diesel starts to smoke? Didn't I just read that earlier this year? True or False? The pulling rigs sure belch black clouds when they hook up. Can someone offer opinions on that - I started watching my stack after I read it.

ScottAR · Jul 10, 2003

When a big rig is taking off from a stoplight for example, the engine is getting more fuel than air from the turbo which hasn't yet spooled up to speed to match the fuel. The black smoke is excess fuel.

My 1050 does the same thing. It's really amplified when roading the tractor. Big fat plume untill the turbo catches up, and then the exhaust is very faint.

SageBrush · Jul 11, 2003

Did you guys keep the revs down on new tractors? I the past we never did, couldn't afford too. But, they all used oil. I have a new Kubota now and I try to keep the rpms down when I can. But, its hard when your using it for work. Our old tractors never got babied. I've been told to never let over the road type trucks idle for to long and keep the rpms down unless loaded when the engines are fresh. Opinions? Gossip? Thoughts?

Youare · Jul 11, 2003

I run my Kubota between 1200 and 1800 RPM for almost everything that does not require full PTO speed,
Over the road maybe 1800 RPM or so. I have seen several others keep the RPM's in this range also for
most events. I just have a hard time listening to an engine operate at high RPM's all the time.

I read an article where a company has made a diesel engine for avaition use. They plan on 2400
hours before an overhaul has to be done. I believe the RPM range they operate in is 2700-3200 RPM. An
intresting point was engine wear, they said most engine wear is when the RPM changes up and down and
not from a continous load and RPM.

I try to keep the RPM and gear range so nothing but clear heat comes out the exhaust, maybe a hint of
grey when pulling a load.

Randy

CTyler · Jul 11, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( How can I know when I am pushing my little tractor too hard? )</font>

When your all sweaty and out of breath. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif