Rack adjustment for MORE HP on KAMA 554

3RRL · Nov 28, 2005

Just got back from my ranch and was able to make the adjustments as recommended. In incremental turns, I ended up one full turn in on the screw and it made a lot of noticeable difference.

I got a puff of black smoke when hitting the throttle and way more power when running in high gears. Under no load the exhaust was clean...no smoke. I was afraid to go any further since warned against doing so, but I ran the tractor under heavy loads for about 40 hours last week.

I was rebuilding a road and used the front loader and box blade constanly filled up with dirt. I have a Koyker 195 FEL that will pick up about 3000lbs (I think) and the boxblade is a 7 foot Howse, so when I had them filled up, you know that's a lot of dirt. The tractor never came close to overheating. Weather out here in CA is mid 60's during the day now. Colder in the mornings. But nevertheless, had no problems whatsoever with the adjustment so it should be OK.

The attachment is the road work I was doing. Notice the piles of dirt dug up and moved to this location. There was a steep incline in each direction and the extra power really helped.

Thanks for all the help and input.

3RRL · Nov 28, 2005

This is another picture while cuting and grading out a pad. I could have used one of those toothbars for the FEL to make things easier. But with the extra power, the tractor was able to cut and move a lot of dirt.

EFC · Nov 28, 2005

The good news about all this tweaking is that you will get a new clutch even sooner than you would have. High gears were made for highway use and you start in the lower high gear and shift your way up, even our 100hp JD's can’t take off from a dead stop in high gear.
On loader Kama’s we are seeing clutch failures between 50 and 250 hours. Non-loader Kama’s around 700 to 1000 hours.
Throttle response is sluggish because the engine, transmission, chassis combination was designed for plowing/tilling at a constant RPM not loader work (Higher torque to HP ratio rather than HP to torque).

Buck

Paddy · Nov 28, 2005

EFC,

I have a KAMA 454. When I transport I can get in Hi 4 while rolling down a hill. But once the grade changes to "up hill", I have to down shift. I'm talking a very slight grade.

??

Patrick

EFC · Nov 28, 2005

Sounds about right. Same thing with our JD's.

3RRL · Nov 28, 2005

( I have a KAMA 454. When I transport I can get in Hi 4 while rolling down a hill. But once the grade changes to "up hill", I have to down shift. I'm talking a very slight grade.)

Even with the adjustment, my 554 does the same thing. It still bogs down in 4th on a slight grade but I have dirt roads so I only cruise around in 2nd Hi mostly, and cruise it in 3rd on flat stretches. Once I start working I'm in low gear range. 1st or second for loaded work and 3rd or 4th for backing up and in between. Interestingly enough, I can manage most all chores around 1200 rpm, very seldom have to get to 1800rpm and have never tried it wide open at the rated 2300 rpm....don't need to as yet. The only time I had to kick up the r's to 1800 is when backhoeing some pretty big rocks (for my hoe) and had to get the pump on th backhoe spinning faster for it to pick up the heavier loads. See the picture attached.

greg_g · Nov 28, 2005

( When I transport I can get in Hi 4 while rolling down a hill. But once the grade changes to "up hill", I have to down shift. I'm talking a very slight grade. )
How many RPMs are you turning at full throttle Patrick? Because I find H4 too fast for comfort. About the only time I'm up on the highway is to transport the mower or harrow. Anything faster than H3 @ 2650 RPMs and it's a case of the tail waggin' the dog.

//greg//

Paddy · Nov 29, 2005

Greg,

Not sure what my max RPM. When I was in 4th, I was not at max RPM though. You are correct 4th gear is quite fast.

I have a friend about 2-3 miles away...with a very bad drive way. The road is mostly quiet but one strech. On that bit I want to go as fast as I can.

Patrick

Soundguy · Nov 29, 2005

( On loader Kama’s we are seeing clutch failures between 50 and 250 hours. Non-loader Kama’s around 700 to 1000 hours )

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif My goodness...

Soundguy

schmalts · Nov 29, 2005

( The good news about all this tweaking is that you will get a new clutch even sooner than you would have.

Buck )
That is assuming he is not operating it like he should. But I have a hard time believing that I had the only 554 come from the factory with a grossly misadjusted injection pump. I couldnt to tasks that i could with my 284, like pull the same box blade or plow.
I just want to say this again, do not mess with this if you are not sure your pump is misadjusted. In my case as a mechanic by trade i went through the other steps before doing this. Checked timing, ect.
Once again, you can keep on getting more and more power, but at a price if you go past the designed HP.