Gas "Mileage"

[LP Farmer]

This may be a foolish question, but is there any consensus as to what manufacturer generally produces machines that are light on gas?

 

[tjkadar]

Tractors with an OECD test list the gallons/hour fuel consumption rates. If you have a larger tractor with an 'economy' PTO setting, it can turn the PTO at 540 rpm at a lower engine rpm than a smaller tractor. So, under the right circumstances, a bigger tractor can be more fuel efficient than a smaller tractor.

There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to gallons/hour performance for a tractor. You'll have to figure out how you are most likely to use your tractor and then figure out what your likely gallons/hour fuel burn will be.

 

[Z-Michigan]

After reading all the NE tractor test reports I can find, the JD tractors seem more efficient at a variety of tested sizes. Beyond that it seems to be all over the map. Some of the CASE (NH/IH) utilities did quite poorly in the tests I saw. While it's not a representative sample, my JD 5105 is very stingy on fuel, just as the NE test report indicated it would be.

Realistically, though, you would have to be running a lot of hours or a very big tractor for this to matter much in comparison to lots of other costs. If you're looking at less than 60 hp, or less than 5 hrs/week running time, I doubt it will matter much. I find that even when I think I'm using my tractor hard, my fuel burn is less than half of what the test reports show for heavy use - probably because there's quite a bit of idling time between hard use.

 

[Mech]

I'm slightly biased, but after reading all the NE tractor test reports I can find, the JD tractors seem more efficient at a variety of tested sizes. Beyond that it seems to be all over the map. Some of the CASE (NH/IH) utilities did quite poorly in the tests I saw.

Realistically, though, you would have to be running a lot of hours or a very big tractor for this to matter much in comparison to lots of other costs.

The yanmar engines seems very efficient. I had a gray market Yanmar 1610 and now have a John Deere 790 and I don't think I can run through a 6 gallon tank of fuel in a day just grading roads. I've been amazed how little fuel it uses.

 

[machmeter62]

I think there is a lot of factors to consider for fuel usage. If one is plowing with ground engagement implements, 4WD aides in the mileage, because the front wheels aren't being pushed through the soft soil, but pulling through it too. If one is field mowing, a multiple speed PTO can reduce the rev's on the engine by finding the right speed needed/RPM required. Weight of the tractor costs mileage also. There is always trade-offs, but the final equation will be based on the major chores one needs to accomplish? This is just a couple of suggestions, I am sure there is many more including max recommended inflation of the tires too.

A smaller tractor will probably get better mileage, but take longer to get the job done, canceling out the benefit, and demanding more time, which could be used elsewhere?

I have been told these giant farm tractors in the Sacramento Valley of Calif, are all 4WD now, greatly improving the fuel mileage to keep production cost down, even though they cost more to purchase.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Mach, I agree with all you're saying, but would add that the engine design makes a big difference too. There are significant differences in the efficiency of diesel engines in converting fuel into hp (work). Generally speaking, these factors suggest a more efficient engine, at least among diesels:
-lower operating RPM
-more displacement for its hp level (usually goes hand in hand with operating RPM)
-fewer cylinders

You can see all these factors at work in comparing farm tractors to CUTs to road vehicles.

 

[Billy_S]

My BX2230 has about 325 hours on the clock. I just finished up my first bottle of Power Service, which treats about 300 gallons of fuel. I guess I am concluding that I burn about a gallon an hour. I have no idea whether this is good or bad.

 

[RobJ]

If one is plowing with ground engagement implements, 4WD aides in the mileage, because the front wheels aren't being pushed through the soft soil, but pulling through it too.

Not sure about this... 4wd will always use more power, more friction on the ground, driveshafts, gears, etc.

with mine and what I do I use about 1/2 gallon an hour. Not to bad. Mostly mowing.

 

[slowzuki]

Only true in cars. In tractors 4wd reduces wheelslip from imperfect ballasting. Too much wheelslip wastes fuel, too little means you are overballasted and are compacting the soil too much. We are talking real ground engaging farming here not lawn mowing etc.

Not sure about this... 4wd will always use more power, more friction on the ground, driveshafts, gears, etc.

with mine and what I do I use about 1/2 gallon an hour. Not to bad. Mostly mowing.

 

[jbrumberg]

At PTO RPM speed (~2465 RPM) I use around 1 gallon/hour. Jay