4020 540/1000 brushhog question

lurch85 · Aug 28, 2014

have an older brushhog, 540 of course, 5 foot.
To get the RPM"s up to where it cuts like it should, have to get the engine rpm"s up of course, feeling like i"m just wasting fuel. And at 45 horse, I definately have more than enough power (tach doesn"t work, so i"m guessing at what speed I"m atually at)

Question is, would I be further ahead to use the 1000 rpm with a clutch, running at lower engine rpm?

Any potential problems that I haven"t thought about?

buickanddeere · Aug 28, 2014

(quoted from post at 23:43:08 08/28/14) have an older brushhog, 540 of course, 5 foot.
To get the RPM"s up to where it cuts like it should, have to get the engine rpm"s up of course, feeling like i"m just wasting fuel. And at 45 horse, I definitely have more than enough power (tach doesn"t work, so i"m guessing at what speed I"m atually at)

Question is, would I be further ahead to use the 1000 rpm with a clutch, running at lower engine rpm?

Any potential problems that I haven"t thought about?

Your intentions are good but the amount of savings are pennies, if anything is saved at all.
Lugging the engine at 1026rpm under load is just plain wrong.
Run the 540rpm rotary cutter with a 540rpm shaft in the 4020 and operate the engine at 1900rpm for rated pto speed.
What worries me is that you want to save fuel money yet you can't find the time and $$$ to install a new tach cable .

Mike M · Aug 29, 2014

I say get a bigger mower to match that tractor and get done twice as fast !

tim s · Aug 29, 2014

That's the sensible Idea Mike running a 540 implement on a 1000 rpm shaft is never good..I ran a 540 snow blower on a 4630 back in the blizzard days, it worked the crapp out of the 4630 trying to work at that rpm

Mike Aylward · Aug 29, 2014

I agree with the others. Run the cutter at full RPM's. I have a 709 Deere cutter as my small cutter and at times it gives a 4020 all it wants in tall, wet grass. Mike

Bob Bancroft · Aug 29, 2014

4020 is only running 1900 engine RPM to get PTO speed. So it's running pretty slow to get 540 from the 1000 shaft. I tried it on my PTO alternator, and it wouldn't do it. 60 HP tractor running at rated speed had no trouble.

David G · Aug 29, 2014

The 4020 will burn fuel to make HP, differences due to RPM are small. The 4020 is really pretty stingy on fuel.

lurch85 · Aug 29, 2014

1. Can"t believe I put 45 horse on.. I meant 95!
2. I would have fixed the tach first, I would worry about a CATASTROPHIC failure running too fast!
3. THank you all for your help!

4020 540/1000 brushhog question

lurch85

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buickanddeere

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Mike M

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tim s

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Mike Aylward

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Bob Bancroft

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David G

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lurch85

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