Everybody I've ever know that owns them locally continously complains about their fuel usage. Wether they're hard on fuel or their owners perpetually complain... I don't know... but when they tell me their annual fuel bills are nearly twice mine for the same size operation....
I know that's not a simple straight comparison as there are several factors involved there... but one neighbour in particular uses nearly twice as much fuel as I do while covering fewer acres. Two things that i've observed in his case... he does tend to leave tractors idleing for extended periods of time rather than turn the key off... and secondly... he's running 3130/3140's for nearly all of his work when a lighter tractor would do some of that work. So he pays for that in fuel... I think that's probably an informed tradeoff on his part that he's made simply to have a backup of the larger tractor should he need them... but it comes with a significant cost.
Also note... I did not say the nebraska numbers were incorrect or unreliable... FOR WHAT THEY ARE. They simply do not take into account that there are situations where a tractor can loaf along at 1500 rpm and accomplish the task at hand and burn less fuel. Some engines are designed to be more efficient in that range while others are designed to be most efficient at maximum power. I think one should always remember that it's the gallons used at the end of the year to get the work done that counts the most, not the maximum efficiency the engine makes on a dyno once in it's life. Probably one of the biggest differences in fuel use between the tractors I mentioned is simply that those Manheim's HAD to run at ~2500 for their PTO speed... so even on light loads they were still running at WOT. The Ford's run at 1900 for 540 PTO, somewhat below their rated power and closer into their efficient range. The Saran engine makes good power at 2500... and it very efficient at that speed if it's making maximum power... but again, how often does it really make maximum power? I think if you look at the nebraska tests on that subject you also find that those engines put up some awfully poor efficiency numbers when they're anywhere below maximum output... much to the point of being pitifull. Again... when the Ford's are run past 1900 they fall flat on their faces for efficiency. My observations... it's not uncommon for a 7710 to burn 2 gph doing light work at 1800 rpm. Doing the same work at 2200 rpm will generally see it consume 3.5 gph... and no more work done. On the other hand I've seen this tractor chop as much silage as a 4440 in one hour on 4 gph of fuel while the 4440 took 8 gph... To be fair, I only run a half set of knives now to get that tonnage from the 7710... but otherwise... I ran both tractors and pumped the fuel into both so I know what got used.
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Today's Featured Article - A Question for Dads This recent topic from the Tractor Talk discussion board is being highlighted because it is an awesome display of the caliber of individuals that have made this site their own. The young person asking questions received positive feedback and advice from total strangers who "told it like it is" with the care many reserve for their own kids. The advice is timeless... so although it isn't necessarily antique tractor related, it will be prominently displayed in our archives to honor those who have the courage to ask and those who have the courage to respond in an honest, positive manner.
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