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Adjusting proper engine speed?

J

jmeyert4a

Member
OK guys, next question...

Engine speed and PTO speed seem to be important factors in setting up and getting the most out of the tractor. I see lots of reference to a 2,000-2,200 RPM max engine speed, a 400-500 RPM idle speed, and a 540 RPM PTO speed.

So, here's my question... On the pre-PROOFMETER tractors like mine (early 1950, I think), where in the heck does one start?

I finally have it running "pretty well", as it starts when I ask it, and has quit popping, sputtering and back-firing. It has been too wet to tryout my bush hog, but it SEEMS to pull pretty good up hill, (where it hadn't before), and idles down so low that it shows zero oil pressure, so I turned it up to a speed where I'm showing 10 PSI at a normal running temp.

But... I have NO idea if I'm spinning the old motor 1,000 RPM or 3,000. This is my first tractor and I have nothing to compare to.

Advice?

Thanks in advance,
Jim
 
Before I got a proof meter that was accurate I had the same problem. I loaded a strobe app on my smart phone that had the ability to adjust the indicated RPM. I placed a piece of reflective tape on the PTO shaft, adjusted the throttle and used the strobe to find a PTO shaft speed of
540RPM. 540RPM on the PTO shaft is close to 1500RPM on the engine. Once the 540RPM point was found I placed a mark on the throttle to identify the point. If not using the PTO and working the tractor I ran the throttle one or two clicks higher than the mark.

cvphoto108632.jpg
 

Thanks! That might be what I'm looking for... What was the app called?

(I doesn't quite explain how things were done "way back then", though, does it? ;- )
 


Pretty much all tractors are run at way below PTO speed when not using the PTO or doing hard work. What do have in it for oil?
 
Strobily is the app I used. Yeah, not sure how the old timers did it without a proof meter or smart phone. I am sure there was a simple ingenious way to do it!
 
Good morning... Well, I downloaded and installed the Strobily App., but can't find (or figure out) how
to use it. Can you point me in the right direction?
 
Set to strobe at the top and led at the bottom. The goal is to get the reflective tape on the pto shaft to "stop" moving. The slider on the app is the grouse adjustment and the small dial is the fine adjustment. I found that the darker it is the easier it is to see. Start the engine and set your phone flashing.
Once you find the current speed adjust throttle up or down to zero in on 540! It takes some practice and adjusting the flashing characteristics helps with seeing the reflective tape.
 
Good morning and thank you again for all your help.

I'm not certain what you mean by stop moving. Stop blinking and give a steady read?

Since the app is in Hz and we are looking for 540 RPM, I'm guessing that I set the slider on the phone
to 9 Hz, correct? Then start at about 3/4 throttle and begin adjusting/searching from there?
 
If you put the tractor in 4th gear and run down a flat stretch of road with the throttle wide open, and have someone in a car with a working speedometer following you, you should be traveling at about 14-15 MPH. If so then the max speed screw on the governor is set correctly.

Same test at 3/4 throttle should get you 9-10 MPH or PTO RPM. Close enough anyway.
 
I should qualify that by saying provided you have the correct size rear tires and any aux. trans. is in direct, not speeding you up or slowing you down.
 
(quoted from post at 14:18:40 11/26/21) Good morning and thank you again for all your help.

I'm not certain what you mean by stop moving. Stop blinking and give a steady read?

Since the app is in Hz and we are looking for 540 RPM, I'm guessing that I set the slider on the phone
to 9 Hz, correct? Then start at about 3/4 throttle and begin adjusting/searching from there?
Click to expand...

If the app is set to blink at 9 Hz, when the PTO is turning at 540 rpm the PTO will appear to be stationary. This works best if you mark the shaft in one spot with a contrasting color or reflective piece of tape. Otherwise it's possible for multiple PTO shaft positions to appear to be one position.
 
(quoted from post at 14:48:53 11/21/21) ..... But... I have NO idea if I'm spinning the old motor 1,000 RPM or 3,000. This is my first tractor and I have nothing to compare to.

Advice?
Click to expand...
Just start cutting. One can "just" tell, after awhile, when things are right. Sounds good, cutting good, moving good. Experiment a little. Get some experience.
You'll figure it out.
 
(quoted from post at 12:18:40 11/26/21) Good morning and thank you again for all your help.

I'm not certain what you mean by stop moving. Stop blinking and give a steady read?

Since the app is in Hz and we are looking for 540 RPM, I'm guessing that I set the slider on the phone
to 9 Hz, correct? Then start at about 3/4 throttle and begin adjusting/searching from there?
Click to expand...
I apologize, this is hard to explain on this post. The app can be made to read in RPM. Like others have said your goal is to make the shaft appear to stop rotating. The strobe keeps blinking but when the shaft and strobe RPM are perfectly matched the shaft APPEARS to have stopped rotating. At this point the strobe RPM matches the shaft RPM. The best I can suggest is go to youtube and search for a video!
 
Plenty of used Dwell Tachometers out there (use a 12-volt battery to power it if needed), plenty of contact type hand held tachometers (just stick the probe shaft right center of the PTO shaft to read PTO speed) and plenty of non-contact hand held tachometers as well. Some of each type can all be found for less than $50, some less than $25. Maybe your local parts store has one you can rent or borrow.
 
I wish that there was a simple Like or Thank You button.

I'm anxious to get out and try this, but have to admit that I'm a bit of a softy! It is just now
creeping into the forties this morning and windy! I just moved here from fifty plus years in Southern
California... To me, THIS is freezing! ;- )
 
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