Should I run full throttle ?

garnold · #1 10-21-2013, 02:02 AM

A buddy of mine has an Allis Chalmers tractor and was told not to run the tractor full throttle all the time because it's too much on the engine. My question is, should I be pull back on the gas as well? I have a 108 so a combo of gears and the throttle are being used to control my speed. I normally keep that throttle pulled back. Good / Bad?

cubby102 · #2 10-21-2013, 04:26 AM

These Kohlers were designed to run at WOT Which is right around 3600RPM during normal working conditions. The cool best at WOT also. Now just driving around the yard pulling a trailer or something I normally use quarter to half throttle. Mowing snowblowing or tilling I go wide open

IH Cub Cadet · #3 10-21-2013, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubby102

These Kohlers were designed to run at WOT Which is right around 3600RPM during normal working conditions. The cool best at WOT also. Now just driving around the yard pulling a trailer or something I normally use quarter to half throttle. Mowing snowblowing or tilling I go wide open

+1

Also these engines make max torque around 3,200 RPM's so if you are mowing grass or blowing snow and hit a tough spot, the rpms fall off to max torque - where you need it the most.

gcbailey · #4 10-21-2013, 08:11 AM

also with a gear driven tractor you have a little "wiggle" room. But with a hydro you definitely want to run WOT for proper cooling and for the hydro pump. I've heard of several people with "modern" LTs that ran half throttle, or even 3/4 and they burnt up the hydro pumps due to the fluids not moving properly.

jimbob200521 · #5 10-21-2013, 08:45 AM

When doing anything that works the motor (snowthrowing/blowing, mowing, tilling, etc) definitely run WOT. For putzing around, pulling a trailer, lawn sweeping, etc, use your best judgement. I usually run about half or so on my hydro's when not working them and maybe even a little less on my gear drive.

garnold · #6 10-21-2013, 08:53 AM

Please forgive me

WOT = Wide Open Throttle?

Thank you for the replies. Just didn't want to burn anything out and do something bad to the engine that I could have easily stopped. I never really noted anything in the manuals about this but still wanted to check best practice.

jimbob200521 · #7 10-21-2013, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garnold

Please forgive me

WOT = Wide Open Throttle?

Thank you for the replies. Just didn't want to burn anything out and do something bad to the engine that I could have easily stopped. I never really noted anything in the manuals about this but still wanted to check best practice.

Yes, WOT = Wide Open Throttle

J-Mech · #8 10-21-2013, 10:28 AM

I always mow at WOT. But that is only because the "suction" on the deck works best at WOT or max blade tip speed. Running WOT is not necessary for any other reason. The hydro cools fine no matter the throttle range, (if you have a hydro tractor, a gear drive machine doesn't care what speed the engine runs) and so does the motor. Obviously, I am one of the few who will say this. But there is no need to run other attachments at a speed that is not needed. Just like on a big tractor, run it the speed that is needed. Since you have a gear drive machine, don't be afraid to pull the throttle back if you need to. I have put thousands of hours on cubs (and other air cooled motors) and I work on equipment for a living. I have never seen any adverse affect to running an air cooled engine at a lower throttle setting. Same goes for a hydro. Besides, neither Kohler, Cub Cadet, or Sunstrand, have anything in writing that say that it is necessary to run any of the units at max RPM unless it is required.

jimbob200521 · #9 10-21-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Mech

I always mow at WOT. But that is only because the "suction" on the deck works best at WOT or max blade tip speed. Running WOT is not necessary for any other reason. The hydro cools fine no matter the throttle range, (if you have a hydro tractor, a gear drive machine doesn't care what speed the engine runs) and so does the motor. Obviously, I am one of the few who will say this. But there is no need to run other attachments at a speed that is not needed. Just like on a big tractor, run it the speed that is needed. Since you have a gear drive machine, don't be afraid to pull the throttle back if you need to. I have put thousands of hours on cubs (and other air cooled motors) and I work on equipment for a living. I have never seen any adverse affect to running an air cooled engine at a lower throttle setting. Same goes for a hydro. Besides, neither Kohler, Cub Cadet, or Sunstrand, have anything in writing that say that it is necessary to run any of the units at max RPM unless it is required.

I think this is good advice, and a good way to put it; run what you need, but it does seems pretty unanimous that mowing is best at WOT.

Mike McKown · #10 10-21-2013, 04:17 PM

I have been running lawnmowers and cutting grass since 1952. Reel type walk behind, rotary walkbehind and finally in 1972, got my first CC.

The ONLY time I ever ran any of those engines full throttle was when I was either showing off or I wanted to get maximum lift and/or discharge from the mower deck. I have tillers and snowblowers. Don't run them fast either.

I run them just fast enough that I don't want to hear anymore racket out of the equipment which is usually about 3/4 throttle.

I have 100's/thousands of hours running small engines and I've never torn up or worn out any of them.

Your experience may vary.

PS. The Cub dealer here has always advised cutting grass at WOT but I suspect that was the older decks would cut better when run at a faster speed. I've found the newer decks aren't that rpm sensitive.