|
Nebraska Tractor tests in the 50s and 60s typically showed gas tractors runing 7.5 to 10 hp-hr per gallon. The 4020 was the third worst, two hydro IHs were worse. The 4020 was 7.93 hp-hr per gallon, so if its loaded to 85 hp (rated at 85) it can use 10.5 gallons per hour. And plowing IT WILL! Tractors run at part throttle tend to be not much better than at full throttle because a gas engine a part throttle needs another 10 degrees spark advance for good economy and very few gas tractors have ever had a vacuum advance to accomplish that. Vintage gas tractors can do far worse than the tractor tests from wear and maladjustment. The wrong plugs with carbon wires will increase the fuel consumption. A choke cable that doesn't get the choke all the way open will increase fuel consumption. A leaky float needle and seat will significantly increase fuel consumption. So will a leaky float. A plugged air filter or oil bath air cleaner will increase fuel consumption. Not having carburetor heat enabled when needed will increase fuel consumption. Tightening the wing nut on the precleaner so it domes that top down will act like the choke partly on and increase fuel consumption. Retarded timing will increase fuel consumption (and exhaust manifold heat). Been there, fixed all these but the leaky float on my gas 4020. Cut the fuel consumption from 400 gallons for plowing, disking, planting, mowing, and baling on 24 acres in 33 hours to 250 gallons in later years doing the same work. Gerald J.
| 
