Horsepower numbers

[dodge man]

I see horsepower numbers used as the standard for tractors. I am at a loss as to why this is the case. Anybody who has studied torque and horsepower will understand the difference. Diesels make alot of torque, not H.P.
For example my BX2350 is rated at 23 HP at 3200 rpm, and so is the B2320, but it is at a lower RPM. The B2320 I'm sure is making more torque and therefore is making more usable power. At one time they made a BX1500, by todays standards that may seem lame, but I bet it makes plenty of torque and gets by just fine. Alot of the older B's and L's make some pretty low H.P. numbers, but I bet they also make enough torque and get the job done easily.
My question is, why do the tractor makers continue to play the horsepower numbers game instead of rating diesels the way they should, by the peak torque numbers? It seems like in the diesel pickup world, the torque numbers are looked at.

 

[johnny_law]

It's a marketing thing. People think they understand horsepower. BTW, HP is calculated by engine torque which can be measured.

Usable power is really based on torque. It would be difficult to educate society, so we keep with the HP ratings...

 

[20 20]

I believe it is just a thing kept from the past, keeps life simpler. Just look what a pain in the butt it is now to figure a small engine. example the 8-10-12 hp B&S Honda etc... When everything was done as hp it was easy to figure what you were getting. Now you have to pay serious attention to each manufacturers wording.

 

[dangerdoc]

I see horsepower numbers used as the standard for tractors. I am at a loss as to why this is the case. Anybody who has studied torque and horsepower will understand the difference. Diesels make alot of torque, not H.P.
For example my BX2350 is rated at 23 HP at 3200 rpm, and so is the B2320, but it is at a lower RPM. The B2320 I'm sure is making more torque and therefore is making more usable power. At one time they made a BX1500, by todays standards that may seem lame, but I bet it makes plenty of torque and gets by just fine. Alot of the older B's and L's make some pretty low H.P. numbers, but I bet they also make enough torque and get the job done easily.
My question is, why do the tractor makers continue to play the horsepower numbers game instead of rating diesels the way they should, by the peak torque numbers? It seems like in the diesel pickup world, the torque numbers are looked at.

Neither measurement is perfect. Old steam tractors made tremendous torque but limitted horse power.

Both measurements are important.

 

[RobertN]

Originally HP numbers wer drawbar HP. Our CUTS don't do the same work as many AG tractors. Hence, you never hear the Nebraska drawbar HP numbers. People want to know how a tractor would pull, no matter what the motor HP was.

Most people are used to hearing HP, so that is the target audience. I am more interested in the torque numbers; that is what gets the work done.

 

[Reg]

WEIGHT (& traction) determine how much of that horse power can be applied.
There is a realistic limit to the horsepower per hundred weight of tractor that is useful.
Check this ratio, more is rarely better.