What RPM to run on my JD?

[drzg2000]

Hi,

I recently bought a 1995 JD 5400. I'm in the midst of figuring out everything I need to know about this tractor. I ordered the manual from JD 3 weeks ago and have yet to receive anything!!! Is all their service of this quality?

Anyhow, quick question for the group. What RPM should I run the engine when operating the backhoe, PTO, etc...

What RPM should I run when driving the thing on the road for a few miles? Does this hurt the tractor? I drive to/from a friends house about 5 miles away. Takes me about 30 minutes. Does this constant speed hurt it in any way?

If this makes any difference, it's a 60 something HP engine, 3 cylinder Turbo.

To date, I've been running about 2500 rpm when I need the power on the backhoe. When driving, I've been running between 2000 and 2500. Mostly 2200... Then I get impatient for a few minutes and creep up to 2500... Then I Worry about the engine and go down to 2000, then up to 2200..etc... :confused2:

Thanks!

Martin.

 

[brin]

I drive my New Holland TC-29D 5 miles to my farm and go in 3rd speed 3rd gear full throttle which is about 12.9 MPH so it takes me about 2o minutes or so to get there ..I have been doing it for 5 years and all is well...When I bush hog...My tach is marked for 540 rpm for the PTO which is about 2,300RPM...can't help you with the BH - I don't have one...

 

[JD755]

Couple pages from the 5400 manual regarding engine speed.

 

[drzg2000]

Thanks for the info! :thumbsup:

Have a great weekend.

Martin.

 

[RoyJackson]

Diesels excel at constant RPM operation. However, you don't want to run them at continuous low RPM (less then 1000, depending on the engine).
I don't run my 790 on the road too much, but when I had my old Deere 670, I ran it 10-11 miles (one way) to my previous house. I just set the throttle on 2600 RPM and went on my way.
Engines, especially diesels, should never be lugged. You're better off at a high RPM then low RPM (other then fuel usage).


JD755..where do you get all these manuals? Do you collect them?

 

[JD755]

Roy..

There was a time when you could buy manuals from JD for just a few dollars. They would occasionally send a 250 page book with order codes and prices for about everything JD ever made. It was all cheap and an interesting way to learn about various tractor operations. This was all pre-Internet and by mail. The brochures I would pick up at the dealer. Later I also added a JD dealer CD with maintenance manuals for several models of compact utilities.

 

[Tunguska]

I have a wood splitter designed for a larger tractor than mine (870, 8.1 GPM pump at PTO rated speed). I split at full throttle because at slower speeds the ram just goes too slow to be productive.

I've been doing this for years and the tractor shows no ill effects from many hours of high RPM operation.

One caveat, however. Although your tractor has surely been broken in, a new tractor should be run at varying loads and speeds for the first 50-100 hrs. There are threads here discussing proper break-in procedures that will greatly extend engine longevity.