Gallons per hour....

[e.myers]

Tractor I'm looking at says...
2.35 gallons per hour @ 100% load.
What does this mean exactly? What is 100% load?
I don't farm for a living, so cost of fuel is a consideration for me.

Is a smaller HP tractor generally going to use less fuel per hour for the same task with appropriatley sized implements for the tractor HP?

Considering various tractors but in the kubota line I'm scratching my head over grand L 3540 and 3940 and the L4400.... all hydrostats.

Read a thread where this guy was getting bad mileage on a 3240, drained his tires and it improved significantly.

Trying to find that magic HP to weight ratio for x brand tractor.

 

[westcliffe01]

They mean at full rated power, that is the fuel consumption. The only activity that comes close to a load like this would be dragging a heavy plow mile after mile. Most activities may only be 20-30% of rated power with proportionally less fuel consumption.

 

[e.myers]

OK. Thanks, that helps. I was wondering if everytime I ran the bushog, I'd be sucking that much fuel.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I bet I am using way more than 30% of available power when I am Bush hoging.

 

[George2615]

I have a smaller tractor. A 26HP Mahindra. during most jobs such as using brush hog, back blade, rake, plow etc. My tractor uses slightly less than 1 gallon per hour. Fuel tank is 7.9 gallons so I can run about 8 hours on a tank. A higher HP tractor may use more fuel. 2.35 GPH seems high for a 35-40HP tractor but that is at 100% load. I would consider a 100% load use to be a job such as plowing several acres or other continuous duty. Its very rare mine sees 100% duty use. For most of my tractor tasks other than plowing or mowing I run much lower RPM which uses less fuel.

 

[DIRTROAD]

It makes a huge difference if the tractor in question has a turbo or not.

A naturally aspirated tractor will get far better fuel milage than its turbo cousin.

 

[e.myers]

OK I'm starting to understand.
Dirtroad... Is that common wisdom? I would have thought otherwise. The gph figures I gave above are for a 40 hp 3 cylinder turbo (John Deere 4105). If the gph for that is significantly more than a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder 40hp then the bargain I found may not be a bargain. I'm a little leary of a turbo anyway as far as maintenance goes. Maybe the additional 2500 for the Kubota over the Deere is not that much after all.

Still have to decide between 37, 40, and 45hp for my application. Are there any lines between the 3 as to what they can do and can't do?

 

[whistlepig]

OK I'm starting to understand.
Dirtroad... Is that common wisdom? I would have thought otherwise. The gph figures I gave above are for a 40 hp 3 cylinder turbo (John Deere 4105). If the gph for that is significantly more than a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder 40hp then the bargain I found may not be a bargain. I'm a little leary of a turbo anyway as far as maintenance goes. Maybe the additional 2500 for the Kubota over the Deere is not that much after all.

Still have to decide between 37, 40, and 45hp for my application. Are there any lines between the 3 as to what they can do and can't do?

Not for a second would I pick a naturally aspirated motor over a turbo. I don't own a turbo now but have in the past. I really don't need a turbo now. Turbo's are sweet. Gas engine is good. Diesel engine is better. Turbo diesel engine is awesome.

 

[om21braz]

From what I understand, smaller hp tractors now have turbos mainly for emissions compliance. I have a friend with a 1970's IH 1066 w/ turbo - it's never been replaced. That may be the exception and not the rule. Anyway, the mid 20's hp diesel machines I've ran burned approx. 3/4 gal. to maybe 1 1/4 gal. per hour doing various tasks. Good luck on your decision !

 

[westcliffe01]

Sorry, but this is nonsense. Turbodiesel engines have lower friction/hp, higher HP/weight, both of which are critical factors affecting fuel efficiency in a vehicle application. The most fuel efficient engines on the planet are turbodiesel engines and they have held this status since the 30's.

It makes a huge difference if the tractor in question has a turbo or not.

A naturally aspirated tractor will get far better fuel milage than its turbo cousin.