Tractor weight vs. fuel consumption while mowing?

[JDgreen227]

With diesel currently selling for $4.25 per gallon locally, I have begun removing the 420 loader fitted to my 4210 when not using the loader. Most of my operating hours are mowing time, and while I always removed the 61 inch HD bucket before mowing, I thought pulling the entire FEL was too much bother...UNTIL diesel fuel got so expensive.

We are told that removing excess weight from our car trunks will increase miles per gallon, but has there ever been a study as regards tractor weight and fuel consumption? My MFWD Deere weighs about 3100 pounds when fitted with the 60-inch 7-Iron deck. Removing the loader probably means 450-550 fewer pounds for the Yanmar to move around. Is there any way to calculate the reduction in fuel consumption by removing the extra weight of the loader? Thanks.

 

[xtn]

Extra weight/mass only makes a difference on fuel economy during acceleration. There isn't a whole lot of that going on during mowing of large areas, so it probably won't make any noticeable difference. Also at the speeds we're talking about wind resistance isn't much of a factor either.

xtn

PS - Okay I know weight/mass also makes a difference on fuel mileage when changing the elevation of the weight/mass. But presumably when mowing you're going to shut down in the same place you started up. So you've gone down exactly as many hills as you've gone up, in effect neutralizing any difference weight/mass would have caused.

 

[RoyJackson]

There are some good reasons to remove the FEL when mowing...

I doubt fuel economy is one of the top reasons...xtn's post gives good info, and these CUTs just don't use that much fuel (unless you're mowing some major acreage).

 

[smstonypoint]

There are some good reasons to remove the FEL when mowing...

I have the SSQA on my FEL, and I have my bucket mounted only when it is needed. I figure there will be less wear/tear on my front axle, I have better visibility, and it is easier to maneuver in tight spots. However, I don't bother to remove the FEL itself.

Steve

 

[JDgreen227]

Extra weight/mass only makes a difference on fuel economy during acceleration. There isn't a whole lot of that going on during mowing of large areas, so it probably won't make any noticeable difference. Also at the speeds we're talking about wind resistance isn't much of a factor either.

xtn

PS - Okay I know weight/mass also makes a difference on fuel mileage when changing the elevation of the weight/mass. But presumably when mowing you're going to shut down in the same place you started up. So you've gone down exactly as many hills as you've gone up, in effect neutralizing any difference weight/mass would have caused.

Thanks for your input....hmmm, one of the reasons I chose my 4210 over the 4310 was because I wanted the lightest mid-chassis model with the smallest engine, mainly because I expected the lighter model to get increased fuel economy over a heavier tractor. As I interpret your reasoning, that means I could have the additional weight of the FEL installed, and have liquid weight in the rear tires, and the rear blade and weights installed, and there would be NO real difference in the fuel consumption between 5,000 pounds of machine and 3100 pounds while mowing?

 

[MoKelly]

Maybe an uniformed question ... but ... does the FEL/loader help with stability when mowing on a slope if the bucket is kept low? Maybe it just feels that way to me because I don't know any better?

MoKelly

 

[RoyJackson]

Maybe an uniformed question ... but ... does the FEL/loader help with stability when mowing on a slope if the bucket is kept low? Maybe it just feels that way to me because I don't know any better?

MoKelly

Read this thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/199464-slopes-tractor-tilt.html

You'll learn more then you want to know about slopes, FELs and stability.

 

[JDgreen227]

Read this thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/199464-slopes-tractor-tilt.html

You'll learn more then you want to know about slopes, FELs and stability.

Thanks Roy...I too have wondered about the subject. My reasoning was, keeping the bucket low lowers the CG, but much of the mass of the FEL itself (at least on my tractor) is mounted high, which would probably raise the CG....always wondered if they would cancel each other out.

 

[TripleR]

We have some engineers as TBN members and I am sure if they choose to focus on it we will have several definitive answers.

The problem for most of us is the inability to measure consumption. I don't keep track of how many gallons I add per hours used mowing, FEL, hauling and empty bucket v full etc.

It seems to make sense that moving less weight uses less power/fuel. The difference is "probably/possibly" like going a bit over the speed limit, the time saved is going to be noticeable on long trips, but not so much on short ones.

Sometimes I mow with FEL and sometimes without. If I am going to mow for several hours with my L5030, I remove my FEL, but I leave it on our M8540 to knock brush down.

I am not an engineer, diesel mechanic etc., so view this only as rambling thoughts.

 

[jtheise4]

Extra weight/mass only makes a difference on fuel economy during acceleration. There isn't a whole lot of that going on during mowing of large areas, so it probably won't make any noticeable difference. Also at the speeds we're talking about wind resistance isn't much of a factor either.

xtn

Unless you're referring to the technical definition of accleration and not how people commonly define acceleration, I assure you even at a steady speed, if your yard has any slope to it, you will certainly burn more fuel if you are towing extra weight up a hill vs not having that extra weight.