What's a good fuel consumption rate for an L3901

mlloyd

New member

Equipment
L3901, Box Blade, Crappler, Pallet Forks, Loader, RCR20 Cutter, Chipper
Jul 8, 2021
3
0
1
Ontario, Canada
I've been tracking the fuel consumption rate of my 2019 L3901. On average it uses 20 liters every 13 hours. I have done plenty of brush cutting, chipping, winching and hauling logs. All seem to consume the fuel at the same rate. Just wonder what is a good consumption rate for the L3901 HST? 187 hours so far. Thanks!
 
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DaveFromMi

Well-known member

Equipment
L3901 RCR1260
Apr 14, 2021
610
530
93
Indiana
I was bush hogging 5' weeds including ironweed, goldenrod, thistles and broom grass, pretty thick stuff. With a 5' bush hog, tractor in 2nd gear, the engine didn't bog down, but the bush hog couldn't handle any more. I measured 0.8 gal/hr.
 

PoTreeBoy

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L35 Ford 3930
Mar 24, 2020
2,815
1,532
113
WestTn/NoMs
I was bush hogging 5' weeds including ironweed, goldenrod, thistles and broom grass, pretty thick stuff. With a 5' bush hog, tractor in 2nd gear, the engine didn't bog down, but the bush hog couldn't handle any more. I measured 0.8 gal/hr.
You average is about half that. Most of your tasks look light. Try pulling a 2 or 3 bottom breaking plow all day!
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
320
63
Charlottesville
I've been tracking the fuel consumption rate of my 2019 L3901. On average it uses 20 liters every 13 hours. I have done plenty of brush cutting, chipping, winching and hauling logs. All seem to consume the fuel at the same rate. Just wonder what is a good consumption rate for the L3901? 87 hours so far. Thanks!
Good. Same as the B2601. I get 0.4 gph from your #s, same as the B2601. 30% less than 3 JDs I've had.
 
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skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,562
3,317
113
SW Pa
It would seem to me there would be a few variables involved. First the work load, light work it will be better, heavy stuff a bit higher. Quality of fuel, yes it does vary, air filter new clean or old and dirty, chipper blades sharp or dull . Is it sitting idling for long periods not working? And yes the weather, it all adds in to how much fuel you use. And really unless you are using the machine for a business where every penny counts for you to make a profit , then in reality it doesnt matter how much fuel you use per hour. It is just part of owning and running the machine, it aint like its a car
 

mlloyd

New member

Equipment
L3901, Box Blade, Crappler, Pallet Forks, Loader, RCR20 Cutter, Chipper
Jul 8, 2021
3
0
1
Ontario, Canada
What's a liter....

just kidding, that seems to be on the low side...

Also, gear or HST????
It's an HST with 187 hrs so far. Usually runs most of the time between 1800 - 2500 rpms. Not alot of heavy work.
Thanks!
 

mlloyd

New member

Equipment
L3901, Box Blade, Crappler, Pallet Forks, Loader, RCR20 Cutter, Chipper
Jul 8, 2021
3
0
1
Ontario, Canada
It would seem to me there would be a few variables involved. First the work load, light work it will be better, heavy stuff a bit higher. Quality of fuel, yes it does vary, air filter new clean or old and dirty, chipper blades sharp or dull . Is it sitting idling for long periods not working? And yes the weather, it all adds in to how much fuel you use. And really unless you are using the machine for a business where every penny counts for you to make a profit , then in reality it doesnt matter how much fuel you use per hour. It is just part of owning and running the machine, it aint like its a car
"It aint like a car" LOL. Your right I couldn't drive for 13 hours on 20 liters in my car. Just trying to understand what to expect from the tractor. Thanks.
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
320
63
Charlottesville
Our Isuzu generator driver had been running 0.3 gph through about 130 hours. Then we had a long power outage this last winter. It ran out of fuel, 50 gallons with about 75 hours on it. This usage is what the two 24.5 hp JDs had been running. Guess it was pretty much loaded up with 2 heat pumps and all the other stuff. There are 4 circuits or so that aren't allowed to run unless there is space.
 
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flyidaho

Well-known member

Equipment
L 3301 HST
Feb 28, 2017
428
253
63
IDAHO
Our Isuzu generator driver had been running 0.3 gph through about 130 hours. Then we had a long power outage this last winter. It ran out of fuel, 50 gallons with about 75 hours on it. This usage is what the two 24.5 hp JDs had been running. Guess it was pretty much loaded up with 2 heat pumps and all the other stuff. There are 4 circuits or so that aren't allowed to run unless there is space.

On a somewhat related subject, my Mack 425 hp engine in my 35 ton boom truck uses, with the PTO engaged and operating the crane,1 to 1.5 GPH! I have checked several times, and those numbers keep coming up. I have noticed, though no numbers just intuition, that my 3 year old L3301 uses considerably more fuel then my first Kubota, with the little 3 banger engine, to be expected I guess