3 cylinder vs 4 cylinder debate

[ruffdog]

the more cylinders an engine has, the less horsepower each one has to make, so more cylinders should mean longer longevity..

But then you throw in engine design and configuration into the equation. Like diesel truck engines, some 6's were much more durable than some 8's were. Also, those old Deere's were pretty durable with less cylinders.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have both 3 and 4 cyl Kubota enginess and I like the sound and vibration of the 4 better. Also, seems to start anytime with no glow plugs, although other matters might be at play there.

 

[jaydee325]

Testing is expensive so you are not going to find a lot out there. Manufacturers to test (a lot) but don't generally make their test data public.

Best source I know of is Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory.

Probably won't answer the proverbial question, "what's best, 3, 4, 5, or 6 etc, etc cylinder diesels" but I think if you have the time to wade through all of this data, some generalities may become apparent.

 

[Mat4644]

Generally speaking once into larger HP engines 4 cylinders vs 3 will always be smoother. For a given total displacement a larger cylinder firing is a bigger bang that is more difficult to dampen. Typically better emissons and fuel economy also on 4s. Due to the large varieties of engines out there exceptions exist.

 

[Egon]

The inline six is naturally balanced!

 

[Egon]

Some 4 cyl engines have balancer shafts that 3 cyl don't require.

That痴 because an in-line four is not balanced!

Check out the balance of different cylinder and alignment arraignments.

 

[Cougsfan]

I think that this is a trick question. The number of cylinders doesn't have nearly as much to do with efficiency and smoothness of operation as do numerous other design factors. A certain three cylinder can be better that a certain 4 cylinder in these regards, while a different 4 cylinder can be better than that three cylinder. I agree all the answers you get her will be highly opinionated and non-factual.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I agree all the answers you get her will be highly opinionated and non-factual.

That's for dang sure...

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't know. If they are based on peoples objective "experience", and not the old, whatever I own is best mentality, I think that's valuable.

I have a four cyl ISUZU on a generator and it's the smoothest engine I own, 3 or 4 cyl. That would be my choice, if the size fit, for everything.

 

[shooterdon]

I never asked or put the number of cylinders into my buying spreadsheet when I got my new tractor. Too dumb to know I guess.

I just started them and rode them for a while.

BTW, all else being equal it is the RPM's that determine engine life. It is a squared relationship. An engine running at 1500 RPM will last four times longer than one running at 3000 RPM.

There is a reason the industrial gen sets run at 1800 RPM.