Optimum Rpm.

Hillbilly7

New member

Equipment
M7060
Jun 14, 2021
2
0
1
Tennessee
I have relatives who really baby their tractors. I’m talking generally operating around 1500to 1800rpm. In your all’s opinion. What’s the optimal Rpm speed for deisel tractors, When being under load of course. I have my own thoughts, just curious about others. Some believe in wide open. That’s not me . All responses appreciated.
 

B2710

Member

Equipment
LX3310, L45, RTV1100
Dec 13, 2011
42
26
18
SE Tennessee
Really depends on what I am doing but I do not baby them, they are made to run at PTO speed for a reason. And on the modern tractors that have DPF, it seems to be better to keep RPM up. The only time I have ever run one "wide open" is running down the road...
 
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PaulR

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 23S -- 100 hours seat time so far
Aug 3, 2020
579
459
63
Hadley, MA
My bx has a cheat sheet right on the tach.

In my 40+ hours I've noticed:
1) My snowblower wants/likes/needs to be run full boar.
2) It won't let me get to 4K, only 3500 max. Maybe after 75 hours or so I will open her up and find out what is governing it.
PS: That is NOT me wearing loafers on the tractor, it's a stock google pic. :geek:
2017-Kubota-BX23S-Dash.jpg
 
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Bark

Active member

Equipment
L4701/FM2560LA765/BB2560Pittsburgh disk Titan P forks
Feb 18, 2020
202
54
28
North CA
My 2003 Dodge CTD has a sweet spot of 2000 RPM in 5th or 6th pulling a load all day long.
My Kubota seems to like 2000 RPM while disking so I run it there, when box blading and even for FEL work (except for delicate work).
Of coarse 2600 for PTO work.
However, the Kubota only has 60 hours (without a regen yet) so I will get back to you in a few thousand hours.
 

Bark

Active member

Equipment
L4701/FM2560LA765/BB2560Pittsburgh disk Titan P forks
Feb 18, 2020
202
54
28
North CA
PS: That is NOT me wearing loafers on the tractor, it's a stock google pic. :geek:
Right. Loafers are for motorcycle riding. Flip Flops are for tractor work
:LOL:
 
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nbryan

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Jan 3, 2019
1,234
768
113
Hadashville, Manitoba, Canada
If I'm running an implement on one of the PTOs I always set the pto rpm to the implements' working rpm. Rear pto usually 540 rpm, which is near 2,400 rpm engine rpm.

The only pto implement not run near engine rated rpm is the post hole auger. Spins around 300 rpm.

The front pto mounted snow blower I run at 2500 rpm, my tractor's "rated" working rpm.

I NEVER operate the engine at WOT. It governs out at around 2800 rpm, but I always set it near THE 2500 RATED rpm for heavy work or pto work. In my way of thinking WOT IS NOT THE SAME AS OPERATING RPM.

WOT simply makes the governor cut in to keep the rpm within safe limits. It isn't the correct working rpm, too high, and likely hard on the machine to keep working it with he throttle lever slammed down.

When I'm busy with loader, forks, box blade, etc (no pto involved) my engine rpm ranges from about 1800 - 2200 rpm. It's not really needed to go at 2500 rpm to work efficiently, puts out plenty of power, and it's a lot quieter too.
 

Creature Meadow

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
2012 L4600, Disk, Brush Hog, GB60 Garden Bedder, GSS72 Grading Scraper
Sep 19, 2016
1,064
135
63
53
Central North Carolina
I run my RPM's that match the task I'm performing.

Loader work, brush hog, land plane, road travel just under PTO.

All other work around 1500 to 1800, disking, row bedder, plowing, etc.

Mine idles at 800 and starts PTO at 2300 for an idea. No emissions stuff on my 2012.

I change the oil every 2 years, grease it every 10 to 15 hours, give it a bath when dirty, check oil before each use, clean air filter as needed and replace annually. Store it under a shelter and use it but treat it as I want to keep it for another 20 years.

Best of luck.
Jay
 
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ctfjr

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3800HST
Dec 7, 2009
1,881
2,297
113
central ct
I agree with the previous posters, depends on the use. Ground engaging implements 2000-2200, post hole digger 1400-1700 and real heavy use of fel (digging out stumps) 2400.
 
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85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
10,748
2,553
113
Bedford - VA
well... let me throw this out there - the large problem here is the machine ITSELF! A "B" series typically DOES NOT run at 3K+ on the top end - where as a BX will almost run 3.5K .....

the sweet spot is where you are making the pieces fit together. Each engine has a torque curve that is different so the magic 2k is not enough on the BX where as on a B series it is perfect.

ON my BX - the idle is about 1500-1600 rpms - if I start it and then raise the FEL off the ground it will take a 15 minutes.... ok kidding ..........but if I goose it up to 1800 rpms - the FEL speed increased 5 fold! My point is this, some of the hydraulics need a little more to work well.

I cut grass almost wide open ...... FEL work will depend - and BH work also depends - as much as WOT works well - sometimes the hydraulic move TOO fast...... so a bit under WOT seems to work the best.

HERE is the kicker - NEVER baby the engine - never, other than idle to warm up and shut down - it really does a hellva lot of harm, on the new engines it will make you want to push the tractor into the pond!!!!

People will tell you "run it like you stole it" and believe it or not - that is a fair statement. NOTHING will be harmed by running it hard - and really it does NOT burn a lot more diesel when doing so - on some engines there is a spot that fuel consumption is best around 3/4 WOT. Now it will make more noise and maybe vibrate a bit more .... or not. BUT babying the engine is just .............. stupid - there I said it !!!!
 
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BruceP

Well-known member

Equipment
G5200H
Aug 7, 2016
851
368
63
Richmond, Vermont, USA
Is there a minimum RPM necessary for the HST to work correctly?
Anything which requires hydraulic pressure should have some RPMs behind it. Remember.... ALL the engine power must be converted into hydraulic pressure by the pump. The pump is DESIGNED for a specific input RPM just like many PTO implements are rated for 540 RPM.

Running a hydraulic pump below its rated speed is inefficient (wastes engine power) and can induce excess heat and wear into the system.

All engines, pumps, and most machines in general have a specific RPM which they are most efficient. (Create the most work while wasting the least energy)

For example, EVERY car I have ever owned has a 'sweet spot' where the MPGs are the highest. For many cars, this is just below 50 MPH. Driving above -or- below this speed reduces the MPG.
 
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MNVikingsGuy

Active member

Equipment
LX3310, FEL, 60" bucket, 60" grapple, 60" box blade, 60" flail, LX2980 blower,
Sep 7, 2020
215
148
43
Minnesota
With PTO (rear and mid-mount) implements I run my LX3310 at 2400rpm per specs. When not using PTO I tend to run between 2000-2200 rpm. It just seems to be a noise and performance sweet spot. If I run it for any length of time under 2000 rpm I get an early regen event. Seems with the DPF running hard/hot is good.
 
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Hillbilly7

New member

Equipment
M7060
Jun 14, 2021
2
0
1
Tennessee
Let’s re-phrase my question. It will probably result in the same answers , but that’s ok. Is there any advantage to operating a tractor at peak torque as oppose to a specified rpm setting. And for this scenario. Let’s assume pulling loads only.
 

85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
10,748
2,553
113
Bedford - VA
here are the torque and hp and fuel usage for your engine.

1623857708758.png
 
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MNVikingsGuy

Active member

Equipment
LX3310, FEL, 60" bucket, 60" grapple, 60" box blade, 60" flail, LX2980 blower,
Sep 7, 2020
215
148
43
Minnesota

Oliver

Active member

Equipment
L2501, JD 3520
Feb 2, 2011
540
129
43
Preston County, WV
I run my L2501 around 2,100-2,200 (540 pto rpm) when mowing. For most other times such as bucket and grapple work, rear blade, landscape rake, etc., around 1,600 - 1,700 rpm where it runs smooth, quiet, uses less fuel, while the loader lifts just as much.
 

Mossy dell

Active member

Equipment
B2601 (2021) JD970 (1998) B2100 (1991) B6100E (1988)
Jul 20, 2020
274
125
43
sw VA
Okay guys, what does WOT stand for? My B2601 is rated at 2,800 rpm and that's the pto speed, or a notch less, so I mow in that window, at the start to middle of the red notch on the tach. For running around, the tractor seems to like 2,000.
 
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