Judging Right Speed and RPM and ???

[SLOBuds]

Now that I am an expert with 20 hours of seat time on my beloved L35, a couple of questions have popped up. Yes, I do believe in the 'Search' function of TBN, but some of these things I can't figure out what the right search term is.

So I went about disking about 2 acres of my parcel, just for the purpose of evening out 100 years of runoff, gopher and squirrel holes. The disk is several hundred pounds itself, followed by a dragged pier piling which was another couple hundred pounds, all being in the ground which itself causes a lot of drag. When I press in the clutch, that tractor stops RIGHT AWAY.

I guess that is expected. But I would like to kinow when I am pushing the tractor too much. And I need to know how to tell what the right groundspeed and rpm is for the different tractor operations.

Is there a way for me to figure this out, or am I just supposed to listen for the engine lugging or such? Or maybe listen for an rpm drop between unloaded operation and loaded operation?

Thanks

 

[jbrumberg]

SLOBuds:

Lugging, RPM dropoff, and belching black smoke are good indicators of needing to gear down and/or increase throttle setting. As you use your tractor more and more it becomes second nature. If you have HST back off the treadle/foot pedal. Jay

 

[SLOBuds]

Lugging, RPM dropoff, and belching black smoke are good indicators ... Jay

Thanks. I searched on 'black smoke' and found this terrific thread on bogging and lugging.

That conversation discusses what to look for. And consequences of lugging/bogging.

One guy mentions that each engine gives highest power at a certain rpm. I remember seeing those power curves for some of my automobile engines. I'd like to know if one is available for my tractor engine.

 

[Kendrick]

on mine the printed it on the window. SLO I will get that kinda joy in about 4 mo when i get to try out my olie 5 point for the garden

 

[texasjohn]

Experience is going to be your best teacher. You do NOT want to lug the tractor.... keep RPM's up so when you hit a tough spot there is sufficient power to pull thru and level out again without lugging down. I'm an impatient guy, so I experiment and seek the highest ground speed possible while maintaining about 2000 to 2300 RPMS. Listen to your engine and watch the RPM'S... that works for me. You'll find your sweet spot. Of course, if you are at a speed where the tractor is too rough to ride, you may wish to adjust your tractor seat spring

 

[john_bud]

If you are running the disk and give some additonal "throttle" and the rpm's go up, you are not lugging.

The black smoke is a key indicator that the tractor is working too hard. Going to a lower gear and more RPM is indicated. Normally for ground engaging activities, you want to run at PTO engine speeds. Then the engine has "torque rise" to help when it hits atough spot.