How to Increase Tractor Fuel Efficiency

Tractors with comparable engine power often vary widely in how much fuel they burn to do a set amount of work.

Some tractors are plainly more efficient than others. The same is true of operators. How you operate a tractor has a big effect on fuel consumption. Knowing how to conserve fuel can save thousands of dollars in fuel cost over the life of a tractor.

Gear Up and Throttle Down

Operating a tractor in too low a gear at high engine speed with a light load is the quickest way to waste a lot of fuel. But that's often what inexperienced operators do.

The engines in GENESIS and 4WD tractors develop constant power over a wide engine speed range. They save fuel by letting you gear up while reducing engine rpm. As long as the engine can pull through tough spots, there is normally no need to downshift or to increase the throttle setting.

The engines are rated at 2100 rpm, but peak torque occurs at 1500 rpm with GENESIS, and 1400 with 4WD tractors. Drawbar power INCREASES as engine power decreases. Try operating at 1800 or 1900 rpm. Don't operate your tractor at rated engine speed unless drawbar load and field conditions demand it.

DO NOT overload your engine. Sustained operation in too high a gear under a heavy load strains engine parts. A good rule of thumb is that if you can pull the load in the next highest gear without increasing rpm, you are probably not overloaded in the current gear.

Throttling back and shifting to a higher gear is what overdrive does in an automobile or truck. With overdrive, the transmission shifts to a higher gear so that the engine can turn at a lower rpm and burn less fuel. Engine wear and noise are also reduced.

Best Engine RPM

Is there one engine RPM that's best for saving fuel? Many new owners of New Holland tractors ask that question. The answer is that no single engine rpm is best for every condition.

Whether the load on the drawbar is light or heavy, the "best" rpm is determined by many factors. Experiment until you find the rpm that's best for the work you are doing. Keep an accurate log and be sure to note: date, implement, field conditions, acres worked, engine rpm, balasting and fuel consumed.

Constant power plus

New Holland GENESIS and 4WD tractors maintain nearly constant power throughout the operating range of 70% to 100% of rated engine speed.

Speed over the ground will drop when tough pulling is encountered. But the tractor can easily pull through tough spots because torque power increases steadily as engine speed decreases. When the tough spot is passed, engine rpm increases and the tractor resumes its previous ground speed.

Are Heavy Tractors More Efficient?

That may be true in some low speed applications, but lighter tractors are more fuel efficient in today's higher speed applications. The lighter the tractor, the less it sinks into the ground and the less horsepower is required to move it, especially in soft soil or hilly terrain. The horsepowersavings means more power at the drawbar and lower fuel consumption. New Holland tractors are engineered to help you minimize compaction and rolling resistance. When required, they are easily ballasted to provide top operating weights. See your Operator's Manual for details.

Minimizing Wheel Slip

Yes. Some slip is necessary to obtain the best power performance. For a given drawbar load and soil surface, the right amount of wheel slip depends on total tractor weight. Too little weight permits excessive slip. Too much weight increases compaction and rolling resistance, and puts added strain on driveline parts.

Start by choosing the right ballast for the work you want to do. A good ballast weight is the amount needed to maintain 8% to 12% wheel slip at rated horsepower. If your tractor is equipped with a radar gun and Tractor Performance monitor, you can precisely measure wheel slip. For details, consult your Operator's Manual.

Make Every Drop Ccount

With today's slim profit margins, no one can afford to waste tractor fuel. Are you saving all the fuel you can? Experiment until you find the gear ratios and engine speeds best suited for your work.

Naturally, decisions regarding the size of the tractor and implements will have an effect on horsepower hours per gallon of fuel. Your equipment dealer can help you make the right choices.

source : New Holland POWERMANAGER - www.newholland.com - October, 2000