New Generation Gasoline Tractors

What experiences do people on this forum have with the Zenith carburetors from Robert's Carburetor Repair? I ask the question out of frustration with the one we had installed on a 1966 3020 tractor. This tractor has been on the farm for over 40 years. It had a Marvel Schebler carburetor until a couple years ago. The tractor has been rather "peppy" for its size and when it was used a lot for cultivating, planting, and hauling grain, its fuel usage seemed to be appropriate. Since the new Zenith carburetor has been installed, it seems to function mostly as it had been advertised and based upon the reading I had come across. It starts great! It runs great! These are the two positives. It does not seem to have the power it had before, and it acquired an amazing appetite for gasoline in all conditions. In light loads, it drinks fuel. In hard pulling loads it really drinks fuel! I used it last spring and was able to burn 7 gallons of gasoline per hour through the tractor, something I didn't think was even possible, especially before changing the carburetors. I have a friend of mine who also has a 3020 gasoline powered tractor. He told me about a long time friend of his from out of state who works on Zenith carburetors. From what I recall from that conversation, this friend of his "pounds" lead shot into what he calls, "superfluous, or extra, fuel ports" in the carburetor, which restricts the flow of gasoline in most operating conditions, thus making the tractor more fuel efficient. Is there any thoughts on this matter? I have a friend of mine who has an older 3020 gas tractor in need of carburetor rebuilding. He told me he talked to the people at Robert's. I believe he shared with me they order new Zenith carburetors in, tear them down, and do some added work to the carburetor to build it to their standards, so the tractor operates as they advertise. Does anyone have knowledge of this? I only ask these questions because the tractor we had before does not run like the tractor we have now. The ease of starting and how well the tractor runs now is a plus. The lower power level and the incredibly large appetite for fuel in all operating conditions is a big disappointment!

I sent a Zenith to Roberts for a 3010. My understanding was they built in the upgrades to the carburetor since it was originally designed. That made sense to me. They seemed to be able to setup that carburetor perfectly for that tractor. It was a friends tractor so I cannot comment on fuel consumption before and after. The owner has not commented and I see him regularly.

Anyway, I would give Roberts a call and ask your questions. The owner, forgot his name now, has a rather strong personality but seems to really know what he is talking about. My point being you might have to be a little patient to get all your questions answered. The owner gave a seminar at the last Gathering of the Green.

Roberts can also give input on plugs and points to use for best results.

Paul

I put a new one on my 960 ford a few years back. It still starts right up and an amazed of how good it does on gas. Power seems to be the same. just saying.

Do those have an adjustable load needle ?

I picked up a used cast iron Zenith years ago to try on our 4020. It had been modified and a adjustable load needle was on it already instead of that solenoid. It just needed a cleaning and a rebuild kit and has been working fine ever since. By the numbers ours came off a 3020 ? I figured it would not make much difference as engines are the same bore and stroke just feeds 2 more cylinders and they can only feed one at a time anyhow.
I do worry about all these "upgrades" and things people do to carburetors. Hear a lot of stories from tractor pullers.