what rpm for loader work?

[eubie5]

ok guys, this is a newbie question, so don't kill me. i've never had a loader so i'm just asking the experts.
my last tractor, bx1800, when i would mow with the mmm, i would run the rpm wide open. it seem to cut better, and disperse the clippings the farthest. but on my bx2380, and i've seen on here, the tach is marked at 2500 rpm for loader work. wouldn't everything run better if the engine was running faster? the engine and hydraulics would have more power, no?
i've tried the search feature, and really didn't find what i was looking for.
thanks

 

[eubie5]

of course, as soon as i hit post, a bunch of similar threads popped up that didn't come up during my search. go figure!!!

 

[atsah]

Under normal circumstances I keep the rpm at between 1800-2000, 2500rpm is for running pto implements. You can crank it up to 2500 if you need to but I do that only when lifting something heavy, I use the 1800-2000 for speed more than anything..

 

[3Ts]

^+1
If I need full power (pressure & flow) I'll run it up to PTO speed, but for the most part I'm down around 1500 to 2000 rpm also.
I've also got 1 tractor with a turbo, I keep it at 1200+ rpm per the manual. Ones without the turbo I will idle if it seems appropriate.

 

[Jstpssng]

I also run at around 1800 to 2000, for all around use as well as when I'm using the loader. The only times that I go much over that is when I've gone a little farther than I should have (in snow or mud) and need a little extra to get back on stable ground. To tell the truth I don't even normally run at PTO rpms while mowing, tilling, or using my backhoe or winch; and have never had problems.

 

[duffer]

And Duffer makes 4....

1750-2000 rpms.

Anything over that doesn't appear to help the hydraulics anymore. Lift the same weight @ 2000 as 2500. If you're maxing out the load on the bucket, for a long period of time I'd run 2000.

 

[davidwarner63]

I try to use minimum RPM neccessary

 

[shooterdon]

Also 1800-2000

 

[Wagtail]

As people have been saying (1800-2000)... the reason for the range is that each tractor (all colours) have a 'sweet spot' that has to be discovered, through experimentation, by the owner.

My 4105 works best (non-PTO work) at just a titch over 2000. Anything more and I'm just burning extra fuel.

 

[Diggin It]

With time you'll understand better how things work. Higher RPMs will make things move faster, but not necessarily increase capacity or lifting ability. With an FEL, the bucket may raise, curl or dump faster but you won't be able to lift a heavier load.

I see it most with the backhoe. When I swing the bucket side to side at higher RPMs it tends to slam (move too fast). At lower RPMs, it's much easier to control movement.

 

[oosik]

When I use my FEL grapple it's at 1800 to 2000 rpm. Higher rpm's cause movements that could easily be faster than my tired old brain can handle. At 2500 rpm my grapple becomes "snippy" and requires really rapid reaction on the joy stick. In other words - no joy.

If I am lifting something real heavy - grab it with the grapple - begin the lift - run the rpm's up. The weight of the rock or tree trunk will slow the grapple movements.

 

[ericm979]

Note that many larger tractors have PTO rpm at around 2500. With small engine like a BX it's probably higher. Scale the recommendations accordingly.

On mine (PTO rpm 2500) I run the engine at 2000 to 2500 when using the loader. If I have a helper on the ground and need to talk I may run at lower rpm.

 

[atsah]

My GC SCUT is 2500rpm for pto use..

 

[eubie5]

Thanks for all the replies. I cut a little grass today, and ran mostly between 2000-2500, and it cut just fine.

 

[atsah]

Cut a little grass today.. I'm still waiting for the 2ft pile of snow to get off my lawn..

 

[kthompson]

DigginIt did good job on this.

For mowing, you are missing providing the tip speed the blades and mower were designed for. You may be tearing your grass, not getting as fine a cut as you should or not discharging the clippings as you should. Then of course that will depend on your travel speed, slow the blades down and the ground speed you may have about same ratio as with higher pto rpms and higher ground speed.

 

[eubie5]

DigginIt did good job on this.

For mowing, you are missing providing the tip speed the blades and mower were designed for. You may be tearing your grass, not getting as fine a cut as you should or not discharging the clippings as you should. Then of course that will depend on your travel speed, slow the blades down and the ground speed you may have about same ratio as with higher pto rpms and higher ground speed.

That's why, with my old tractor, i ran it at the highest rpm while mowing. I'll do that with this one, mostly, but while breaking it in, the book said not to run it 100%, and to vary the rpm's.
Even at lower rpm, it mowed well.
I was mainly originally asking about loader work and rpms.

 

[dasranger]

With loader work, it all depends on how fast I want to get things done. Fortunately, I’m usually not in a big hurry so I run my tractor at pretty low rpm’s.

 

[3Ts]

To tell the truth I don't even normally run at PTO rpms while mowing, tilling, or using my backhoe or winch; and have never had problems.

For mowing, you are missing providing the tip speed the blades and mower were designed for. You may be tearing your grass, not getting as fine a cut as you should or not discharging the clippings as you should. Then of course that will depend on your travel speed, slow the blades down and the ground speed you may have about same ratio as with higher pto rpms and higher ground speed.

Mowing is the only thing I do where I run at rated PTO speed. The mower is designed for a particular blade tip speed to cut properly and the only way to get it is to run at full PTO speed. Even if you slow your ground speed, you still need the proper blade tip speed.

 

[Zebrafive]

With time you'll understand better how things work. Higher RPMs will make things move faster, but not necessarily increase capacity or lifting ability. With an FEL, the bucket may raise, curl or dump faster but you won't be able to lift a heavier load.

I see it most with the backhoe. When I swing the bucket side to side at higher RPMs it tends to slam (move too fast). At lower RPMs, it's much easier to control movement.

Agreed, rpm for hydraulics only affects flow not pressure. Flow is speed, not power.

My tractors both have hand and foot throttles, so I operate at lower rpm and use the foot throttle when I need more tractor power (pushing into a pile, traveling up hill, etc). Then just let off the foot throttle and I am back to set rpm of the hand throttle.

My rpm is usually 1500 - 1800 rpm, but my PTO rpm is lower than being posted, it's 2100rpm.