Oil & Fuel 4 cylinder vs. 3 cylinder diesel

[MMILLER]

I also have a 3 cylinder 2400A backhoe. I beleive it is the same tractor as your 454d. This is a powerfull good running ,working 3 cylinder.

 

[TBAR]

FWIW................

My observations are from the industrial engines we use here at work to build construction equipment. In the 48-50hp range we prefer the 4 cylinders to the 3 cylinders because they are quiter and smoother. The John Deere 3029D engine that we used to use was not balanced and would vibrate your eye teeth out. The Yanmar 4NTE8FT and the John Deere 4024T engines are smooth, quite and a pleasure to operate.


TBAR

 

[_RaT_]

Maybe you need to try a Kubota /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[mhalla]

<font color="green">My problem as a first time diesel owner is to know how smooth the engine should run. I have a John Deere 2210 with a 3 cylinder engine and from my limited experience with diesels I have the impression it could or should be running smoother than it does.

On a 3 cylinder diesel engine would it be very evident in terms of engine smoothness if the engine were not running on all three?

What makes a diesel run rough other than while it is warming up?

Mike</font>

 

[_RaT_]

Heck my 7.3 L V8 tells me right away if on of the injectors isn't up to specs. It idles rough if it's popping early and smokes at low altitude if an injector is spraying poorly. It's very dependent on all 8 cylinders running well.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

<font color="orange"> Maybe you need to try a Kubota </font>

You know, with lotsa ketchup, they really aren't that bad...

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Egon]

Smoothness may depend on the number of cylinders and the configuration. In a well designed engine counter rotating shafts may be relied upon to counteract the vibration inherent in some configurations.

The in line four cylinder engine is not a balanced engine.

Egon

 

[_RaT_]

Egon, what do you mean by that? I mentioned but never had a follow up regarding the 3 cylinder diesel. Do you know if each rod is 120 deg. off from each other. To use an analogy, is it like a 3 bladed prop? I would think of the inline 4 as a double row, 2 bladed prop. Rat.

 

[TBAR]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Smoothness may depend on the number of cylinders and the configuration. In a well designed engine counter rotating shafts may be relied upon to counteract the vibration inherent in some configurations.

The in line four cylinder engine is not a balanced engine.

Egon )</font>

In the industrial engine market some four cylinders have the balanced option. In our case we have used Ford, Cummins and Perkins engines with the option.

Some three cylinders have this option too. This might be how the Japanese have obtained such smooth running 3cyl engines in their tractors.

FWIW, we looked at the Kubota's but they wouldn't fit our machinery envelope.


TBAR

 

[Egon]

Rat:

Just what I've read.

Inline 4= unbalance
Inline 6=balanced
boxer 4=balanced
90 degree v8= balanced
60 degree V6 = balanced
inline 3= ???
60 degree V twin harley = unbalanced

Egon

 

[_RaT_]

Egon, kinda what I was thinking. Now, how about Kubotas inline 5? I now have a curiosity to go down to my dealer and ask about the inline 3's configuration. Thanks for the information, I find it interesting.

 

[KAB]

Inline 5 = Unbalanced.

I had heard recently that a 3 is balanced but have not sent it confirmed anywhere.

Kurt

 

[Slamfire]

The 3 cylinder with 120 degree crank throws is a naturally balanced engine. It does have a rocking couple though and it can't be cancelled without a balance shaft. When the piston on one end goes up the one on the other goes down, and what the one in the middle does has no effect. That means the engine constantly rocks on it longitudinal axis, you'd think that sooner or later the bell housing would give in to the constant stress, but maybe a good front engine mount relieves it.