where do you put the throttle on your tractor?

[ovrszd]

Governed engines are designed to run full throttle with no shortening of life. That's the purpose of the governor. In my case I look at it as an unnecessary use of fuel. I use however much throttle I need to get the job done and try to not use an excess.

 

[Gittyup]

I don't think any of the machines in question are air cooled.

On an air cooled gasoline engine, the reason for running at full throttle is to pull maximum amount of air through the fan and across the cooling fins.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I run my tractors and mowers at low idle when just backing out of the shop. But if I am working the backhoe or FEL on the B26, 2000-2200 seems to work best (2500 is WOT). I idle everything out of the garage slowly, no need to rev WOT to ease them back out of the garage and at idle, I get less exhaust fumes in the garage. For pulling around a cart, it is about 3/4 throttle, again no use to run WOT when I can get the speed I want from less RPM and less fuel burned plus less engine noise. I wouldn't try to pull a cart or move any great distance at idle or near idle but I find that 50-75% throttle is sufficient to provide all the pressure my HST pumps needs. For mowing it is always full throttle to get the mower turning to top speed for better cut.

My Kubota tractor will lift the FEL, and drive the HST sufficient to back the tractor out of the shop at idle even in high range, so if I am just backing out of the shed to move 50 feet, I don't rev up the engine more than 1000 RPM which is just barely above low idle. I also don't let it set and idle 5+ minutes to warm up when I use it (no super cold weather start or operations here). When all the lights go out, I move it out of the shed. I maintain 1000-1200 rpm for a few minutes when travelling to my work site but after I roll it 100 yards or so, I will increase the throttle to what I need. Rarely do I operate any of my tractors at max throttle, I just don't need to do that for any of my operations although I have no doubt that running them at WOT will not damage them as all engines are made to run at full governed speed without damage other than normal wear.

My LS PTO speed is 1950 so that is the max I need to go when mowing although it do occasional use the foot throttle to rev to max when using the FEL and a slow gear. I don't worry about damaging the engine with max throttle on it either but I just don't need the max power of a WOT in any of my tasks. If they can spin all four wheels, revving the engine isn't going to help any. I can reduce throttle even more when mowing with my 3 speed gear box (540, 750,1000) on the PTO. I can put it in 750 speed and reduce the throttle by 70% to about 1500 RPM and still have plenty of power but use much less fuel and just gear up higher to match the ground speed I need.

 

[johndeereg]

Thanks for all the replies. Would love to hear thoughts on smaller tractors like the select series, x500, x300 etc. I have an x500. What do you suggest for that?

 

[ovrszd]

As was mentioned a few times, a governed engine can be ran at WOT without harm. I'm pretty sure the x500,x300, etc., have governed engines. Use however much rpm it takes to complete the task.

I'm sorry no x500 owners have chimed in. But then, when you look at the title of the thread it's apparent why you got responses from all size tractor owners. Maybe start another thread with the title directed at x500 owners?

 

[murphy1244]

Where ya been Murph, I been worried sick!!!

Been to the Great state of Florida. Where there are leafs in the Trees and the Sun shines. Drove 15 hours straight to get home.

 

[ovrszd]

Been to the Great state of Florida. Where there are leafs in the Trees and the Sun shines. Drove 15 hours straight to get home.

That's a long haul!!!! I vacation at a buddies house in Colorado, it's 12 hours, that's enough for me, especially in a Jeep with the top down!!! Messes my hair.....

 

[murphy1244]

That's a long haul!!!! I vacation at a buddies house in Colorado, it's 12 hours, that's enough for me, especially in a Jeep with the top down!!! Messes my hair.....

Its like I drove from Summer to fall. These bare Trees are driving me nuts and all this friggen Rain???? I think we will see a very dry summer.

 

[Yellowfever440]

An x500 is an air cooled motor same with the x300. Both are air cooled. If it is warm out or you are running it long enough to warm it up you should run it at full throttle. If you are just moving it from one spot to another it's not a big deal. If you are just using a lawn cart and picking up sticks run it at least half throttle.

 

[ovrszd]

Its like I drove from Summer to fall. These bare Trees are driving me nuts and all this friggen Rain???? I think we will see a very dry summer.

I agree about the Summer Murph. I'm calling drier and hotter than normal. It'll be our 3rd year of drought or near drought conditions.