The Power of the 3215

[bill6]

This morning I put my 3215 FWD through the paces. After clearing and disking, I am levelling and smoothing a 3 acre plot of flat ground. Today I was pulling (drawbar) a 9-foot wide spike-toothed harrow. The harrow has a steel frame and weighs around 450 lbs. It creates quite a drag when encountering deep, soft sandy dirt. Here's some numbers:

Tractor empty weight w/FEL: 3100 lbs
Tires: Industrial, Carlisle Trac-Chief, not filled
FEL: carrying 900 lbs of rocks
Rear weight: 66" 510 lb box blade
RPM used: 2400
Engine oil: Mobil 1 synthetic, 5W-30
Fuel additive: Stanadyne pro-formula
Weather: 55 F, sunny

After significant hours of driving this rig, one becomes sensitive to sounds and any changes in engine noise. There is one section of this plot that has particularly soft, thick, deep soil. I knew it would create a HUGE drag on the harrow. Sure enough, the 3-cylinder, turbocharged Mitsubishi diesel began feeling the load. Under great strain, the engine slowly dropped to 2150 RPM and the tires spun, but forward progress was maintained. I could hear the faint whine of the turbo. It pulled clear through it, and on to easier ground.

It amazes me, the power and torque this engine produces. The water temp never increased, and the motor was perfectly smooth.

Unfortunately, the ground was rather dry and the tractor got kind of dusty. So I had to wash the whole thing, dry it, then re-polish the wax finish with a soft cotton towel, and re-dress the tires and all rubber seals with Formula 2001 (Armor-all type product). But, tomorrow night I have more levelling to do, and the tractor might get dirty again!

 

[MrChris]

I have to agree with you Bill, I am impressed with my 3215HST as well. It had plenty of power when I used my 510# boxblade to level out some ruts at the bottom of my pasture with ease. I just finished loading 7 flatbeds full of horse manure and the temp gauge never budged from the middle...and it hit 80 degrees here today. I'm still learning to use the FEL and occassionally I think I have the bucket level with the ground and I'm digging into the dirt and lifting up the tractor . So far I only have 2 dilemas. First when I'm in reverse going up a grade, the tractor struggles in H gear even with no impliments and an empty bucket. Put in M and I have no problem even with a full bucket, but the tractor moves a lot slower in M reverse. I have never had a need to use L gear yet . Second, when I'm stopped on an upward slope it's diifficult to put in H gear and when I'm stopped on a down slope it's tough to put in M. Backup a little and it slips in M easily. Go forward a little and into H it goes like butter. Curious, yes?

 

[shvl73]

So far I only have 2 dilemas. First when I'm in reverse going up a grade, the tractor struggles in H gear even with no impliments and an empty bucket. Put in M and I have no problem even with a full bucket, but the tractor moves a lot slower in M reverse. I have never had a need to use L gear yet . Second, when I'm stopped on an upward slope it's diifficult to put in H gear and when I'm stopped on a down slope it's tough to put in M. Backup a little and it slips in M easily. Go forward a little and into H it goes like butter. Curious, yes?

Most tractors struggle with inclines in high range, more of a road gear/range. I've been on the road once and it would bog down on small hills. I think the different range gears may be square cut (if I'm thinking correctly) and a little jog forward or reverse is normal. Mine still does it after 319 hours but, mostly I use M.

 

[RedRiver]

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your machine!

A little tip, a lot of time on newer machines if it won't go into gear if you simply let off the clutch and press it in again it will go right into gear. I know this is especially true for the 35 hp and up Mahindras. Over time it should eventually go away though.