Ive been following this thread with some interest. In the first 50 hours of my tractor, which is only just passed, I never ran the tractor at full RPM, not even once hardly, as the manual states not to do so during the break in period. The L2501 maxes out at what 2400rpm or so. The 540PTO is at around 2100 rpm. I havent used a PTO implement a single time on my L2501 its been all loader and box blade and disc harrow work. Pushing tree tops into burn piles, moving logs, clearing woods in prep for grass planting and yard expansion. Most all of this work I did at around ~1900 - 2000 RPM I dont know if thats good or bad. I was trying to mind the break in period, and thist just felt and sounded like a good place to be on the tractor. Had plenty of power, but wasn't super loud from the engine. Being a new tractor owner this is one topic Ive tired to educate myself on - but like most things regarding tractors everyone has different opinions. WOT for rotary cutters vs. just setting it at the 540 mark - as is starting to be debated here. I really wish there wasnt all this big difference in advice from tractor owners, as I find new owners often just end up more confused as to what is right and just throw it all out and do their own thing. You can find "tractor experts" on youtube with popular channels, and years of experience giving exact opposite advice on these types of issues. I find it unhelpful and unfortunate.
Ive tried to just follow the manual, mixed with my own common sense. The manual essentially says to match your RPM with your work. Ive tried to roughly follow this rule. Even now that my break in period is over, I still feel odd working at wide open throttle. I was discing the other day, and pulling a good load, and this is likely whre wide open throttle would be good, but I still didnt run wide open. I ran it around 2100-2200rpm. Maxed out 2400 RPM the engine just is loud and sounds like its racing. Im so used to gas engines that its hard to reprogram myself. To me the racing engine just roaring nonstop sounds like a gas engine that needs to go into a higher gear. There is the inward feeling that you are overstressing the engine - though with diesel I understand this is NOT the case. Its someting I will continue to try and work on and be better about. My primary goal with my tractor is to do things right and get the most life out of it.