3 hrs on new machine, go mow 3 acres?

montejw · Jul 4, 2007

Just got our NH TC30 HST yesterday, having fun. Wife loves the HST with the FEL. 4 horses generate "stuff" to keep the FEL busy.

Some friends are out of town and I'd like to surprise them by mowing their pasture while they're gone, it's about 3 acres, I've got a 6' finish cut flail mower. Do you think doing this with 3 hours on the tractor is advisable? I looked through the owners manual at the break-in procedure, about all I could see was don't run it with no load at constant engine speed for long durations. Mowing will be with load, at constant engine speed, for a long duration, probably 3-4 hours. I guess I can vary the engine speed a little with the throttle lever, and the load will be changing a bit. I just don't want to mess up the break-in, it's pretty important.

RoyJackson · Jul 4, 2007

It's simple....about every 15-20 minutes, just disengage the PTO (well, you don't have to do that) and lower the RPM for a few minutes. You can use the foot throttle to vary the RPM during this time.
This will extend that 3 hour mowing time somewhat however.

That's what I did, anyway... The first 50 hours go by pretty quickly.

Of course, I'm not overly concerned about the break in instructions (other then leaving the oil in for the break in period). How many commercial or ag users would follow those break in procedures?

zzvyb6 · Jul 4, 2007

Just be sure they weren't saving that grass for Grandma's new skirt or a new roof on the Organic trellis. If they have some dead horseshoes in there, your mower will find them, your tires will first (just the ones will nails up). Be carefull going by fence posts. I always leave a little lateral play in the mower hookup to allow a post strike and deflection.

If you know they want it done, go 4 it. "One hand washes the other" in farming. Think of a good reply when they ask what they can do for you.

montejw · Jul 4, 2007

zzvyb6 said:
Just be sure they weren't saving that grass for Grandma's new skirt or a new roof on the Organic trellis. If they have some dead horseshoes in there, your mower will find them, your tires will first (just the ones will nails up). Be carefull going by fence posts. I always leave a little lateral play in the mower hookup to allow a post strike and deflection.

If you know they want it done, go 4 it. "One hand washes the other" in farming. Think of a good reply when they ask what they can do for you.

Oh, I know they want it done, I've been offered baked goods and diesel. It's my wifes riding partner and they take care of each other's horses when the other is gone/sick, etc.

montejw · Jul 4, 2007

RoyJackson said:
It's simple....about every 15-20 minutes, just disengage the PTO (well, you don't have to do that) and lower the RPM for a few minutes. You can use the foot throttle to vary the RPM during this time.
This will extend that 3 hour mowing time somewhat however.

That's what I did, anyway... The first 50 hours go by pretty quickly.

Of course, I'm not overly concerned about the break in instructions (other then leaving the oil in for the break in period). How many commercial or ag users would follow those break in procedures?

There's no foot throttle, it's got a hydro pedal. I could change the rpm's with the lever once and awhile, but it's not the same as the way I was taught to break-in my cars. With them it was acceleration, deceleration, acceleration, deceleration, acceleration, deceleration, etc.

cp1969 · Jul 4, 2007

I started mowing with my tractor when it had something like .4 on the tach. I don't think it's all that important. We used to take class 8 trucks right out of the overhaul shop and hook them to an 80,000 GVW load. Their break in day was identical to every other day they worked.

If you are worried about it, just vary the rpms every 10 minutes or so, up or down a few hundred rpm.

EddieWalker · Jul 4, 2007

I'm suprised they even mention a break in period. My tractor didnt' say anything about it and my dealer said it was good to go the second I got it home. Check your fluids, make sure your radiator is clean and watch your tempature gauge. Pick a good speed so you don't over work your engine and go for it. I'd think that a 3 acre pasture with a six foot mower should take you just over an hour to mow at a decent speed if the grass isn't too tall and thick. If it's on the thick side, just go slower and enjoy the day.

I've found that wearing headphones and listening to music or talk radio really makes the time go by quickly.

Eddie

milkman · Jul 4, 2007

From day one, I run mine the way I use it, did the OTR trucks the same way, just don't lug it down, it'll be fine, tractors are not made to be babied. Keep the radiator grill clean so it doesn't over heat, I don't need music, the diesel working is music to me, it'll be fun.

Thomas · Jul 4, 2007

Just go w/your gut feeling...maybe try cutting w/4' of the mower at first...over lap..little less stress.

Some say hour an acre....take little longer less chance of down time.